Multiple leading Texas sire Moro Tap, a 13-year-old son of three-time leading North American sire Tapit , has been sold and relocated to HunterCreek Farms near Roswell, N.M. He will stand in 2024 for $1,500.
"Our state boasts some of the most substantial purses in the nation, making our New Mexico breeding program an incredibly lucrative opportunity for all involved," said Alexander Cordova, who bought a 50% share in the stallion acquired from Wes Melcher, the owner of Double Infinity Ranch near Dallas, where Moro Tap entered stud in 2015. "With his impressive pedigree, exceptional conformation, and remarkable performance on the racetrack, Moro Tap presents a valuable opportunity for breeders in the region to enhance the quality of their breeding programs."
Moro Tap led his sire class in Texas by number of winners, black-type performers, and progeny earnings through their first-crop, second-crop, and third-crop seasons. He has steadily ranked among Texas' top 10 general leading sires since 2020.
Bred in Virginia by the late national leading breeder Edward "Ned" Evans, Moro Tap is out of the Silver Ghost stakes winner Ghost Dancing, making him a half brother to Santa Anita Derby (G1) winner Roadster and Manhattan Stakes (G1T) winner Ascend.
Moro Tap sold as a yearling for $10,000 out of a dispersal of Evans horses at the 2011 Keeneland September Yearling Sale to the Off the Hook pinhooking partnership. The colt was next offered at the 2012 Fasig-Tipton Gulfstream Sale, where he was bought back on a final bid of $100,000.
Off the Hook launched the colt's racing career with Grupo 7 C in October 2012 at Calder Race Course, where he finished a good second in his debut. He would next be offered as a racing prospect at the Keeneland November Breeding Stock Sale, where Skychai Racing and Terry Raymond bought him for $350,000.
At 3, Moro Tap won three times and placed third in the Centaur Stakes. At 4, he added a third in the Louisville Handicap (3T) to his résumé. He was retired with a 3-1-3 record from 19 starts and career earnings of $161,816.
As a stallion, Moro Tap has sired six crops to race that include 51 winners and five black-type performers. His best runners include 2019 Texas Thoroughbred Futurity winner Moro Said Ready, three-time stakes-placed winner Stormies Blue, and stakes-placed winners Tap the Dot and Moro Appeal.
While he has been standing for $1,000 at Double Infinity Ranch, his progeny have been averaging $31,349 per runner.
Moro Tap will be the second son of Tapit standing at Susan Hunter's HunterCreek Farms, which also has freshman sire and grade 3-placed Kentucky Wildcat on the roster. The farm also stands Right Rigger, a son of Unbridled's Song, and Artful Run, a son of Artie Schiller.
