In major breeding countries across the globe, numbers mean dollars.
Big, big dollars. You have a stallion who gets stakes winners and has a great winners-to-runners stat, or simply produces the odd superstar, you are in the clear.
And so it is in Australia. Especially in Australia and right now, as we stare down the road at the uncertain horizon of life, we have the MOST amazing stallion honours battle seen here ever.
With well over half the regular, ordinary season gone….and really not knowing how much longer it will go on (meaning if it shuts down for several months then the leader as they cross the line on 31 July is the winner), we are looking at an arm-wrestle between the stallion farm giants.
PIERRO (Lonhro-Miss Right Note) of Coolmore, with progeny earnings of $12,915,853 holds a slender, tender lead. His Gr 1 winning son, Regal Power, leading the way for him.
That is actually a strong amount of money at this time of year.
But in second spot is Yarraman Park’s I AM INVINCIBLE (Invincible Spirit-Cannarelle) with….$12,613,217. The great Gr 1 winner Loving Gaby doing a lot of his bidding.
Adding to the complexity of the race is SNITZEL (Redoute’s Choice-Snippet’s Lass) the proud Arrowfield stallion, whose kids have earned $12,488,119. The juvenile Away game has earned the most for him.
In 4th spot somewhat behind but by no means out of it is his stablemate, Arrowfield’s NOT A SINGLE DOUBT (Redoute’s Choice- Singles Bar) with $10,307,407. Farnan winning the Gr 1 Slipper helped him.
That just now means EVERY race day in Australia going forward, especially at the hopefully upcoming The Championships, will play a role in the outcome to decide Australian Champion Sire 2019-2010.
My money is on probably on Snitzel. But interestingly, Exceed And Excel at $8,557,745 and the father of TJ Smith Stakes bound Bivouac is a Hail Mary chance. As is Declaration Of War on $8,440,980 with his sons Vow And Declare and Warning set for The Championships big races inc the Queen Elizabeth Stakes.
Game on folks.