Curlin Rockets Back Into Top-Five Among Sires

The leading sire landscape could have shifted dramatically following Kentucky Derby (G1) weekend. With 15 big-money graded stakes run at Churchill Downs May 1-2, there was plenty of opportunity for the rankings based on progeny earnings to face upheaval. We definitely saw some shuffling, but only one sire really made a significant charge in the top 25. Curlin, it was announced April 22, would not be active the rest of this breeding season due to a recently discovered low fertility issue. As disappointing as that news was for everyone at Hill 'n' Dale Farms at Xalapa, where he stands, as well as his supporters, the weekend provided further evidence of why he has been a standard-bearer among stallions since retiring for stud duty in 2009. This past weekend's wins by Golden Tempo, who became Curlin's first Derby winner, and Corporate Power, who eked out a neck win in the Alysheba Stakes (G2), helped lift Curlin in the rankings. Two weeks ago, he was No. 14; now he's in a more customary position, having climbed nine spots to No. 5. Excluding this year, Curlin has had 14 crops of runners. Of those years, only four times did he finish ranked outside of the top seven. Those years were 2012-14, his first three crops, and 2024. In 2014 and 2024 he ranked 11th. Thrice he finished second. At 22, there's no question he has fewer days in the breeding shed ahead of him than behind, but he is undoubtedly still being represented by high-caliber runners who are equipped to shine on the sport's biggest stage. Curlin's two graded stakes victories, which included the Derby, make him the big winner among sires this weekend, a distinction that probably carries up to Belmont Stakes (G1) weekend. Potentially five weeks of bragging rights during Triple Crown season is no small feat. However, the leader by number of victories in stakes during the Kentucky Oaks-Kentucky Derby weekend is the current leading sire Not This Time. His offspring hit the wire first three times. Rhetorical won the Turf Classic Stakes (G1T), On Time Girl conquered the Eight Belles Stakes (G2), and Imaginationthelady won the Edgewood Stakes (G3T). The three victories by Not This Time's sons and daughters match the three triumphs achieved by Medaglia d'Oro and his progeny last year at Derby weekend. Inside the Numbers Gun Runner and Nyquist flip-flopped spots 3 and 4, with Gun Runner getting a promotion thanks to his daughter Always a Runner winning the Kentucky Oaks (G1). What separates No. 3 Gun Runner from fifth-ranked Curlin? $941,090. Six sires (Not This Time, No. 1; Into Mischief, No. 2, Practical Joke, No. 6, Vekoma, No. 10; Candy Ride (ARG), No. 15; and Maclean's Music, No. 16) remained in their same positions as two weeks ago. While this is not a run on par with Into Mischief, Practical Joke has been ranked No. 6 for the past seven editions of The List. Connect and Frosted, who appeared in the top 25 earlier this year, reentered at spots 22 and 24, respectively.