Kitten’s Joy not a One Hit Wonder Sire

Kitten’s Joy not a One Hit Wonder Sire: Stallions and mares are the core of the racing, as without them, we have no racing. I have decided to attempt to do profile a stallion every week. Last week, we covered #1 sire, Tapit. This week, we will learn about #2 sire, Kitten’s Joy.

The heart of the Ramsey’s recent success, Kitten’s Joy skyrocketed to the scene last year, making the top of the General Sires list, and his fee was raised to the six figures range of $100,000. He has sired the likes of Stephanie’s Kitten, Big Blue Kitten, and Real Solution, whom all run for the Ramsey’s.

Before entering stud, Kitten’s Joy was the long-winded turf horse you didn’t want to meet on the racetrack. His race record was a beautiful 14-9(7)-4-0. His distance love was proven multiple times when he won at distanced of 8.5f to 12f. He beat Europeans multiple times, and some of the best turf horses in the United States; horses like Artie Schiller and Better Talk Now. Also fast, Kitten’s Joy was a record holder, when he set a record for the Secretariat Stakes of 1:59.65. Kitten’s Joy was also an eclipse winning horse. In 2004, he won title of Male Turf Horse.

Kitten’s Joy may not have won the Breeders’ Cup Turf, but one interesting thing about Kitten’s Joy, is that every crop he has produced, he has had at least one Breeders’ Cup participant. This year, Kitten’s Joy is #2 on the National and Kentucky sires list, and #1 sire of stakes winners for 2014. Some say Kitten’s Joy is a turf sire only, but he does have some good dirt horses, in horses like Csaba and Pick of the Litter.

What made Kitten’s Joy so suucessful? Was it his careful handling and selective breeding? Was it that fact that he was somewhat of a pet to Ken and Sarah Ramsey? No one will ever truly know, but his breeding could give us some insight. Being by El Prado (IRE) and out of Kitten’s First. His pedigree is mostly turf, so we can see why he was a turf runner and a turf sire.

With only half of the year over, Kitten’s Joy is on his way to maybe topping the General Sires list again. Just this year, Big Blue Kitten won the Lure Stakes, Real Solution has won the Manhattan, and Charming Kitten won the Belmont Gold Cup Invitational. That is just to name a few! Kitten’s Joy is well worth his $100,000 dollar stud fee, and it could skyrocket if his progeny keep winning the way they do.