FIRST CROP SIRES & YEARLING SALES
The group of sires which are represented by
their first yearlings in 2006 is particularly interesting for
containing three outstanding sons of three breed-shaping stallions
which are no longer with us, thus giving the potential for a late
upsurge to their sire’s legacy.
One of the expected starts of this group is
EMPIRE MAKER
(Unbridled – Toussaud by El Gran Senor), who would probably
rank as his sire’s best colt. A winner and graded placed at
two, Empire Maker gave notice of his arrival at the top of
the class with a 9 ¾ lengths win in the Florida Derby Gr.1 He
followed up that effort with a narrow victory over Funny Cide
in the Wood Memorial St Gr.1, and second to that horse in the
Kentucky Derby Gr.1 after a slightly disrupted preparation.
Empire Maker was subsequently seen under silks twice more,
firstly when defeating Ten most Wanted and Funny Cide for the
Belmont St Gr.1, and finally, when beaten a quarter length
for the Jim Dandy St Gr.2. It was under what looked to be a
very overconfident ride.
Empire Maker is out of grade one winner and Broodmare of the Year
Toussaud, also dam of grade one winners Chester House, Honest Lady
and Chiselling, and multiple stakes winner Decarchy. A different
type aptitudinally from his sire’s extremely successful son,
Unbridled’s Song, it will be interesting to see if Empire Maker can
succeed in creating a second branch of Unbridled’s male line. The
buyers certainly seem to be on boards, as his first three yearlings
have so far averaged $850,000.
Date:
05 September 2006