In this new series we ask agents and others who book a lot of mares for their clients which sires might be flying slightly under the radar in this breeding season. Who might be getting overlooked in the rush for the new, hot thing? Read on.
Barry Butzer
MIDSHIPMAN, Darley America, $8,500
Midshipman has been a favorite at Sun Valley from day one, consistently supplying ourselves and our clients with progeny that make a significant impact on our bottom line. He is clearly our go-to stallion at this price point, and a horse that has given us four talented stakes horses earning right at $1 million.
From Woodbine to Santa Anita, our Midshipmans are all game. It is easy to forget that this top-class juvenile champion handed defeat to top sires Pioneerof the Nile and Munnings in that year's GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile.
Midshipman's body of work is built from smallish crops, and he has crossed a new threshold now with two Grade I-placed fillies. Breeders have gotten the message and his crops have doubled in the past four seasons. The commercial market has also taken note, our three Midshipmans offered last year averaged $87,000.
Last weekend a chestnut filly had nowhere to go in the eighth at Gulfstream. However, Klaravich Stables and Chad Brown's Connectivity exhibited a turn of foot not often seen, and burst through in the lane and drew off on debut. Yet another winner for Darley's Midshipman.
If you look elsewhere for a champion son of Unbridled's Song for your mare this season, be prepared to ante up a cool $30,000 or $75,000. Midshipman should be utilized by breeders shopping with or without a budget
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