The sires lists in North America are dominated by Ashford Stud's up-and coming new stars. Tale of the Cat is the leading sire of two year olds, whilst Stravinsky tops the leading first season sire list. Grand Slam, helped by Cajun Beat's Breeders Cup Sprint win, tops the second crop sires list.
However the old guard lead the general and broodmare sire lists. A.P. Indy was the leading sire in North America from last year's champion sire El Prado and the consistent Dynaformer with the another son of Roberto in fourth, the late, great Kris S.
A.P. Indy enjoyed a banner year even by his own high standards being represented by grade one winners Passing Shot, Indy Five Hundred and probable Horse of the Year, Mineshaft. His son, Atswhatimtalkinabout, was fourth in the Kentucky Derby. He led the sires list by just under a million dollars from El Prado. His earnings totaled over $9 million.
The leading first season sire list was tighter with Stravinsky holding on by under $4,000 from Victory Gallop. Stravinsky's lead is set to increase as his son Balmont will probably be awarded the Middle Park Stakes when original winner, Three Valleys, is disqualified as a result of a positive test. Stravinsky, set to stand for a $40,000 fee at Ashford, has also made a cracking start to his stud career down under. The third leading sire on the first season sire list is the beautifully bred Doneraile Court, who is $50,000 ahead of Forestry.
Mr Prospector led the broodmare sires list for the seventh consecutive year with earnings just over $13 million. He led Deputy Minister, who enjoyed a breakthrough year with the likes of Halfbridled and Strong Hope, and Nureyev.
Tale of the Cat, represented by the likes of unbeaten star Lion Heart and grades stakes winners Whoopi Cat and Be Gentle, led the two year old sires list by nearly half a million dollars from Kris S. His earnings came to just under $2 million. Stud companion, Grand Slam was third on the list with underrated Silver Deputy in fourth and the world's most expensive stud, Storm Cat, fifth.
The third crop sires list was dominated by Langfuhr, thanks largely to Wando's Canadian Triple Crown sweep. The son of Danzig topped the list with over 6 million dollars in earnings. Former Breeders Cup Classic winner, Alphabet Soup was second on the list, nearly two million dollars behind Langfuhr with Smoke Glacken in third and Peace Rules' sire Jules fourth.