Stallion Feature: Curlin is Not Only a Classic Winner But a Classic Sire

Stallion Feature: Curlin is Not Only a Classic Winner But a Classic Sire: Think of some of the past years in horse racing. Who was the horse that got your attention? In 2007, Street Sense, Curlin, and Hard Spun seemed to finish 1-2-3 every time they met. Curlin continued to capture the world at ages three and four. He would travel all over the United Stakes, and then over to Dubai, to captivate fans around the world. The Dubai World Cup was one of the most impressive victories for now leading third crop sire Curlin.

“550 meters away and Robby Albarado asks Curlin to go.”

Boy did Curlin go! He won the Dubai World cup over Well Armed and Asiatic Boy (ARG). Well Armed would come back in 2009 and win the World Cup. In Curlin’s career, he was the pinnacle of what an owner and trainer want. Curlin was only off the board one time in his 16 lifetime starts. He did fall victim to the curse of Apollo in 2007. He did not race until he was three, and would wind up finishing third to Street Sense and Hard Spun in the Kentucky Derby. He would come back two weeks later and capture the middle jewel of the Triple Crown, the Preakness Stakes (G1). The curse of Apollo didn’t apply there. In the Belmont, three weeks later, Curlin would face a whole new kind of competition. Trainer Todd Pletcher has entered Rags to Riches, a daughter of Belmont winner A.P. Indy. Curlin and Rags to Riches battled the entire length of the Belmont stretch, in one of the best stretch battles, I personally, ever witnessed. Rags to Riches would prevail to make history as the first filly to win the Belmont Stakes (G1) in 105 years.

After the Belmont, Curlin didn’t surface again until August. He would come back in the Haskell Invitational (G1), to finish third to Any Given Saturday and Hard Spun. The race set him up perfectly to surface in the Jockey Club Gold Cup (G1), where he would begin a 5 race win streak that included the JCGC, Breeders’ Cup Classic, the Jaguar Trophy, the Dubai World Cup, and the Stephen Foster. The streak would end when he finished second in the Man O’ War (G1) over the turf at Belmont. Curlin would win two more times before returning to defend his Classic title. He would end up making his last start here. He would finish fourth. The only time he would finish out of the money. Upon retirement, Curlin was the all time money winning horse in history. He had earned $10,501,800 in only two seasons at the track.

Curlin was indicted into the Racing Hall of Fame this year. Only six years since his retirement, Curlin has made a very big impact on the racing world. Standing at Lane’s End Farms for the bargain price of $25,000, his fee is lower than that of Lemon Drop Kid, Candy Ride, and Smart Strike, all who also stand at Lane’s End. Smart Strike is also prided with being the sire of Curlin.

Curlin is out the Deputy Minister mare, Sheriff’s Deputy. Curlin has all the right bloodlines to be successful at stud, and he got going right from the start. In Curlin’s first crop, he sired Classic winner, Palace Malice. Palace Malice won the 2013 Belmont Stakes over Preakness winner, Oxbow, and Kentucky Derby victor, Orb.

Curlin is also represented by Ride on Curlin, Moulin De Mougin, known for her recent fall on Super Saturday in the Rodeo Drive Stakes at Santa Anita, and the undefeated Stopshoppingdebbie. Palace Malice is his only 2014 Grade One Stakes winner; he does have 150 runners, with 85 winners this year. His offspring have earned Curlin 6.3 million, just this year.

Curlin is well on his way to being a top stallion. With only three crops of racing age, and five total, breeders should hop on the Curlin train early, just in case that stud fee bargain goes up. It is only a matter of time before he sires more classic winners.

Related Links:
Tapit
Kitten’s Joy
Candy Ride
Speightstown
Lemon Drop Kid
Giant’s Causeway
City Zip
Medaglia d’Oro
Hard Spun