Not This Time's Surge Continues, Ghostzapper Returns

A fortnight ago in this space, Not This Time 's notable rise into the top five of North America's general sires list was put into focus. Apparently, the son of Giant's Causeway wasn't satisfied with being the fourth-ranked sire by progeny earnings. 

Thanks in large part to Troubleshooting's victory Sept. 6 in the Franklin-Simpson Stakes (G1T) at Kentucky Downs, Not This Time jumped two more spots and now sits at No. 2 behind generational top sire Into Mischief . Coincidentally, Into Mischief is the broodmare sire of Troubleshooting.

The Franklin-Simpson Stakes was Troubleshooting's first attempt at a graded stakes.

Travis White, vice president of Taylor Made Stallions, where Not This Time stands, lauded the sire's knack for throwing surface versatility. Not This Time is currently first among turf sires, second among all-weather sires, and ninth among dirt sires. 

"What he does, in my mind, if the horse doesn't turn out to be great on dirt, (owners and trainers) can kind of pivot, whether it's turf or synthetic," White said after Not This Time's initial top-five placing. "I think they've proven they can do that."

Racing at Kentucky Downs also proved beneficial to Ghostzapper, who returns to the top 25 for the first time in more than a year and is ranked No. 20. 

His 5-year-old gelding Ole Crazy Bone stalked the lead of the Kentucky Turf Cup Invitational Stakes (G2T) before kicking clear down the stretch for a 3 3/4-length victory. With it came a $1.4 million payday. Just eight days earlier, 4-year-old filly Segesta, a Juddmonte homebred, finished second by a half-length in the Ladies Turf Stakes (G3T) at Kentucky Downs.

Ghostzapper, who entered stud in 2006, stood this year at Adena Springs North in Ontario, Canada, for a private fee. He moved back to the farm where he was bred for the 2025 breeding season, which was likely his final year as a stallion. Previously, Ghostzapper stood at Hill 'n' Dale Farms at Xalapa.

"His record at stud will influence the breed for generations. At this point in his career, Ghostzapper is deserving to relocate and reunite with Adena who bred, raced, and supported him at stud," said Hill 'n' Dale owner John Sikura at the time of the announcement.

The Hall of Famer and two-time champion has had several notable offspring in just the last decade. Among them are two-time champion female sprinter Goodnight Olive, 2021 Dubai World Cup (G1) victor Mystic Guide , 2014 Whitney Stakes (G1) winner and two-time Breeders' Cup runner Moreno, and a pair of fellow Adena Springs-bred runners: Eclipse and Sovereign Award winner Moira and Sovereign winner Shaman Ghost .

Among his current runners are Banishing, winner of the Charles Town Classic Stakes (G2) and Oaklawn Mile Stakes (G3), and Pat O'Brien Stakes (G2) victor Dr. Venkman.