Anne Peters
P.O. Box 3926
Midway, KY 40347
(859) 846 - 9794
pedgoddess
@yahoo.com

The Freshman Sire Class of 2026, those young stallions with their first 2-year-olds racing in 2026, is a big one, with 27 horses entering stud in Kentucky in 2023 versus 19 the previous year.

This is a really impressive group of runners, led by Horse of the Year Flightline, and champions Jackie's Warrior, Epicenter and Corniche; classic winners Early Voting, Mo Donegal, Mandaloun and Sir Winston; and 12 other Grade 1 winners. The negative side is that for all this talent, several of the highest ranked of these new sires are very lightly raced. Corniche ran only 4 times. Flightline, Jack Christopher and Early Voting had only 6 starts each. By comparison, Jackie's Warrior is a virtual iron horse with 18 starts. On the lower end of the stud fee scale, the durability goes up dramatically. Channel Cat ran 30 times, Hog Creek Hustle made 24 starts and Sir Winston ran 20 times.

Flightline came in at an initial fee of $200,000 and runner-up Life Is Good at $100,000, a fee that would be tops in any other year. Flightline covered 152 mares his first year and Life Is Good bred 192 but the leader by number of mares bred was Golden Pal with 293 mares at a fee of $30,000. In between were 7 other stallions covering a wide range of stud fees: Epicenter (262), Jack Christopher (247), Olympiad (228), Cyberknife (223), Mandaloun (211), Nashville (204) and Drain the Clock (199).

Over the summer and fall, the first yearlings by this class entered the sales ring. There was no question who the market loved best, with Flightline's stunning $737,274 average for 57 yearlings, with a $600,000 median. Life Is Good was again second with an ultra-impressive average of $314,150 for 81 yearlings, a median of $275,000.

I'll detail each of the stallions who entered stud at a fee of $7,500 or more. Just to clarify, my picks here aren't which horse I think will become the best stallion overall, but which stallions I think will come out on top in their first year with 2-year-olds racing. The main factor that I think is important in the freshman sire race is, not surprisingly, a stallion's early maturity in the guise of good juvenile form, and specifically good form earlier in the season (before say, October), and at shorter distances (shorter than a mile). My observation is that a horse can be a a late season router at 2 but that doesn't mean he'll sire a lot of precociousness himself. Another key factor is commercial appeal, since this is where the buyers show their opinions on conformation, good, bad or "meh."

Horse of the Year Flightline was one of the most dynamic runners of recent years. A son of perennial leading sire Tapit and out of the Grade 3 winner Feathered by Indian Charlie, he was a million-dollar Saratoga yearling. At 2 he was unraced and in January of his 3-year-old year, he suffered a barn injury causing a tear to his right hindquarter, then strained a ligament behind. He didn't start until April winning his debut (6f. SA) by 13 1/4 lengths, then a foot issue laid him off until September. He returned to win an allowance (6f. DMR) by 8 lengths. The next stop was the Malibu Stakes-G1 (7f SA) in late December in which he led from the start and won by 11 1/2. At 4 he was delayed by a minor injury, then an illness, until the Metropolitan Handicap-G1 (8f. BEL) which he won by 6 lengths in 1:33.59. He won the Pacific Classic-G1 (10f. DMR) by 19 1/4 lengths in 1:59.28, then the Breeders' Cup Classic-G1 (10f. KEE) by 8 1/4 lengths beating Olympiad, Taiba, Rich Strike and Life Is Good. He retired undefeated in 6 starts, from 6 to 10 furlongs. Nothing could touch him and he made it look effortless. He was named Horse of the Year at 4. Flightline stands 16.2 hands and is a big, robust individual bearing more resemblence to his dam's sire Indian Charlie than to Tapit. His early training was interrupted but his first 2 races were exceptional exhibitions at 6 furlongs, so we know he's got speed on speed. Like a good Tapit, he could stretch his speed out to 10 furlongs. He bred tremendous mares his first season and his yearlings sold ridiculously well ($737,274 average) so it would be shocking if he didn't dominate as the Freshman Sire in 2026. That said, Tapit sons haven't all been as successful as Constitution, so there's still a question mark.

Life Is Good was a racehorse of exceptional talent. A son of leading sire and sire of sires Into Mischief, he is out of a mare by Distorted Humor, a cross that appears in no less than 5 of Into Mischief's Grade 1 winners and 13 stakes winners. He was a $525,000 yearling and made his only start at 2 in late November winning a 6 1/2 furlong maiden at Del Mar by 9 1/2 lengths. He made 5 starts at 3, winning the Sham Stakes-G3 (8f. SA) and San Felipe Stakes-G2 (8 1/2f. SA) both times defeating Medina Spirit. After posting a bullet work in March, he was forced to skip the Santa Anita Derby-G1 and Kentucky Derby-G1 (won by Medina Spirit) recovering from surgery to have a chip removed from his left hind ankle. He returned when second in the H. Allen Jerkens Stakes-G1 (7f. SAR) to Jackie's Warrior, then won the Kelso Stakes-G2 (8f. BEL) which served as a prep for his score in the Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile-G1 at Del Mar. He came back at 4 in top form winning the Pegasus World Cup-G1 (9f GP) beating Knicks Go, was fourth in the Dubai World Cup-G1 (10f. MEY), then won the John A Nerud Stakes-G2 (7f. BEL) by 5, the Whitney Stakes-G1 (9f SAR), and the Woodward Stakes-G1 (9f. BEL) all wire to wire. He ran fifth in the Breeders' Cup Classic-G1 (10f. KEE) when setting a blistering pace for Flightline's romp in a race that was a bit too far for him. He retired with 9 wins from 6 1/2 to 9 furlongs out of 12 starts. Life Is Good is a gorgeous specimen standing 16.2 hands looking more like Mineshaft (the sire of his second dam) than anything else in his pedigree. He went to stud at a $100,000 fee and his first yearlings averaged $314,150 which would have put him at the top of any other sire class but this one, since Flightline's average was well more than double that number. Being a little late to the races at 2 makes him a question mark, but Into Mischiefs can be precocious and he was really brilliant most of the time, so has the inherent speed to get a lot of good juveniles.

Champion Sprinter Jackie's Warrior was a Grade 1 winner at 2, 3, and 4. He was a $95,000 yearling by Maclean's Music on an $8,500 stud fee, out of a sprint mare who ran 54 times and won $483,508, by stakes-placed A.P. Five Hundred. Jackie's Warrior won on debut (5f. CD), then ripped through the Saratoga Special-G1 (6f.), Hopeful Stakes-G1 (7f.) and Champagne Stakes-G1 (8f.). His first loss came in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile-G1 when fourth behind Essential Quality who was named champion as a result. At 3, he started with a third in the Southwest Stakes-G3 behind Essential Quality and Spielberg. On Derby Day he won the Pat Day Mile-G2 (8f. CD) going wire to wire. He was second in the Woody Stephens Stakes-G1 after setting the pace, only to be caught by Drain the Clock. He won the Amsterdam Stakes-G2 (6 1/2f. SAR) wire to wire beating Drain the Clock by 7 1/4 lengths, the H. Allen Jerkens Memorial Stakes-G1 (7f. SAR) beating Life Is Good by a neck, and the Gallant Bob Stakes-G2 (6f. PRX) wire to wire by 6 3/4 lengths. He wound up sixth in the Breeders' Cup Sprint-G1 won by Aloha West, following which he had surgery to remove a chip from his left knee. Jackie's Warrior was named Champion Sprinter at 3. At 4, he won the Count Fleet Stakes-G3 (6f. OP), Churchill Downs Handicap-G1 (7f. CD) wire to wire by 4 lengths, True North Stakes-G2 (6 1/2f. BEL) wire to wire by 5 and Alfred G Vanderbilt Handicap-G1 (6f. SAR). He ran second in the Forego Stakes-G1 to Cody's Wish and third in the Breeders' Cup Sprint-G1 behind Elite Power and C Z Rocket. Jackie's Warrior retired to Spendthrift Farm after 18 starts, with 12 wins from 5 to 8 furlongs. For a fee of $50,000 he bred 182 mares. At 16.2 1/2 hands, Jackie's Warrior is a big, handsome, heavily-muscled horse and his first yearlings averaged a whopping $216,101. Being a brilliant 2-year-old with a world of speed and a large first crop, it would be shocking if he isn't among the leading freshman sires.

Epicenter was voted the Champion 3-Year-Old from a crop that included Taiba, Early Voting, Mo Donegal, Rich Strike Cyberknife, Zandon and Pappacap. He was a $260,000 yearling from the second crop by Not This Time out of the stakes-winning Candy Ride mare Silent Candy. (He's bred on the reverse cross as Gun Runner, being by a son of Giant's Causeway out of a mare by Candy Ride). He made 3 starts at 2, winning second time out (8f. CD) and taking the Gun Runner Stakes (8 1/2f. FG) in his third start in December. At 3 he was second by a head in the Lecomte Stakes-G3 (8 1/2f. FG), then won the Risen Star Stakes-G2 (9f. FG) and Louisiana Derby-G2 (9 1/2f. FG) matching the track record (1:54.38) in the latter. He was second in Rich Strike's Kentucky Derby-G1 (10f. CD), second in Early Voting's Preakness Stakes-G1 (9 1/2 f. PIM) then won the Jim Dandy Stakes-G2 (9f. SAR) and Travers Stakes-G1 (10f. SAR) beating Cyberknife and Zandon. In the Breeders' Cup Classic-G1, he pulled up on the backstretch suffering a displaced condylar fracture in his right front cannon and retired. From 11 starts, he had 6 wins from 8 to 10 furlongs. Epicenter entered stud at Coolmore/Ashford Stud at a fee of $45,000. He stands 16.2 hands and is a handsome, substantially-made horse, bearing some resemblence to his dam's sire Candy Ride. His first yearlings averaged $120,530 which is a good sign. He was a stakes winner at 2 but got better as the distances got longer, so even if they do well at 2, his runners should improve with age.

Grade 1 winner Jack Christopher lost just once in his career. He was a $135,000 yearling sired by the veteran speed sire Munnings out of Rushin No Blushin, a half-sister to Street Boss by Half Ours. At 2, Jack Christopher won his debut (6f.) in late August at Saratoga by 8 3/4 lengths, then the Champagne Stakes-G1 (8f. BEL) in October. Two days before the Breeders' Cup Juvenile-G1, he was scratched by vets and determined to have a minor stress fracture in his left front cannon. At 3 he won the Pad Day Mile-G2 (8f. CD) over Pappacap, Woody Stephens S-G1 (7f. BEL) again beating Pappacap by 10 lengths, was third in the Haskell Stakes-G1 (9f. MTH) to Cyberknife and Taiba. Back to sprinting, he won the H. Allen Jerkens Memorial Stakes-G1 (7f. SAR) beating the accomplished Gunite. His connections opted to skip the Breeders' Cup Sprint-G1 pre-emptively anticipating that he might be vet scratched again because as the DRF reported, "he has a crabby way of jogging" even though all x-rays and scans were clean. After just 6 starts and 5 wins from 6 to 8 furlongs, Jack Christopher went to stud at Coolmore/Ashford Stud at a fee of $45,000 and bred 247 mares. He's not a very big horse at 16.0 1/2 hands but is gorgeous and like his daddy, built like a bull, all muscle. His first yearlings averaged a solid $109,511. Given his own precocity and brilliance sprinting, he's among my top picks to be one of the top freshman sires in 2026.

Like his sire Speightstown, Olympiad needed a couple of years to show his tremendous ability but unlike Speightstown, Olympiad could stretch his speed over 2 turns. He's out of Grade 3-placed Tokyo Time by Medaglia d'Oro from the tremendous Too Chic family. A $700,000 yearling Olympiad debuted at 2 on August 1 at Saratoga when third in a 6 furlong maiden. He won next time out in September at 7 furlongs, same track, and looking like a Derby prospect into his 3-year-old year, was taken out of training in January (for reasons this writer still hasn't discovered) and off the classic trail. He returned in September when second in an allowance (6 1/2f. SAR) to Baby Yoda, then won an allowance in October (7f. KEE), followed by a respectable fourth in the Cigar Mile-G1 in December. Things clicked into place when he turned 4, dominating an allowance (8 1/2 f. GP) in January by 7 1/4 lengths. Next time out, he won the Mineshaft Stakes-G3 (8 1/2f.) by 2 1/4 lengths, setting a new track record at Fair Grounds in 1:42.01. He followed up with a win the New Orleans Classic-G2 (9f. FG) beating Proxy, then the Alysheba Stakes-G2 (8 1/2f. CD) beating Happy Saver, then the Stephen Foster Stakes-G2 (9f. CD), five in a row through the spring and summer. Back at Saratoga his skein was broken when fourth in the Whitney Stakes-G1 (won by Life Is Good over Happy Saver). He earned his Grade 1 winning the Jockey Club Gold Cup-G1 (10f. SAR) and seemed headed for glory until he met the juggernaut Flightline in the Breeders' Cup Classic-G1, running second with Taiba in third. He retired with 8 wins ranging from 7 to 10 furlongs out of 12 starts. He entered stud at Gainesway at a fee of $35,000 covering 228 mares. His first yearlings averaged a profitable $92,136. Olympiad stands 16.1 hands and is a stretchier version of his sire but still armed with that powerful hindquarter. Although he has a world of speed, like almost all of the Speightstowns, he needed time to work through whatever issues developed but bloomed at the right time. He'll probably get a lot of 2 year olds, but they'll might need extra time to show what they're really made of.

Never headed during his championship season at 2, Corniche's true talent remains untapped. The $1,500,000 2-year-old by Quality Road out of the Grade 2-winning turf mare Wasted Tears by world-record miler Najran, Corniche came to the races with a reputation. He made his debut at 2 in September at Del Mar (5 1/2f.) going wire to wire to win by 4 1/2 lengths. In October he won the American Pharoah Stakes-G1 (8 1/2f. SA) in similar style, wire to wire by 3 1/4 over Pappacap, then won the Breeders' Cup Juvenile-G1 (8 1/2f. DMR), making all the calls over Pappacap and Giant Game. Named Champion 2-Year-Old, he was sent to the farm for freshening rather than chase the Derby trail and switched trainers from Baffert to Pletcher in May. He started back in the Amsterdam Stakes-G3 at Saratoga on July 31 but stumbled at the start and was eased, finishing last of 9, sustaining a frog injury to his right front foot and was retired not long after. Out of 4 starts, he posted 3 wins from 5 1/2 to 8 1/2 furlongs. Corniche retired to stand at Coolmore/Ashford Stud for a fee of $30,000 and bred 180 mares. His first yearlings redeemed him, averaging $162,196. He stands 16.0 hands and has a similar profile as his sire Quality Road, with a big shoulder, long, low back and big hindquarter. As a champion juvenile with a good sized, well recieved first crop in the sales ring, he may be forgiven his short racing career if they come out running as expected.

Multiple Grade 1 winner Cyberknife is from that remarkable first crop by Gun Runner and out of stakes winner Awesome Flower by Flower Alley. A $400,000 yearling, he finished first in his debut at 2 in late September over 6 furlongs at Churchill but was disqualified for bumping and placed second. He was second again in November at 6 1/2 furlongs by half a length, then won his third start in late December when stretched to 8 1/2 furlongs at Fair Grounds. At 3 in January he was sixth in the Lecomte Stakes-G3, won an allowance (1/2f. FG) in February, then stepped up to win the Arkansas Derby-G1 (9f. OP) in April. Although he finished well back in the Kentucky Derby-G1 won by Rich Strike, he scored in the Matt Winn Stakes-G3 (8 1/2f. CD) in June, then the Haskell Stakes-G1 (9f. MTH) in July, setting a new track record (1:46.24) while beating Taiba by a head. He was second in the Travers Stakes-G1 (10f. SAR) to Epicenter, then ran third in the Pennsylvania Derby-G1 (9f. PRX) to Taiba and Zandon. In his final start at 3 he was second in the Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile-G1 by a head to Cody's Wish in a memorable stretch duel. He made only 1 start at 4 when sixth in Art Collector's Pegasus World Cup-G1 (9f. GP). With 13 starts, he won 5 races from 8 1/2 to 9 furlongs and retired to Spendthrift Farm at a fee of $30,000. Breeders liked what they saw and he bred 223 mares. Cyberknife stands 16.1 1/2 hands and is a leggy, elegant horse, well made with a good shoulder and hindquarter. Although he had several session toppers, his first yearlings averaged a moderate $87,218. Cyberknife showed good form at 2 but definitely improved with distance, had an excellent turn of foot and a lot of fight as shown against Taiba and Cody's Wish. He may not be one of the top freshman sires, but he ought to sire real live racehorses with age and distance.

Two-time Breeders' Cup winner Golden Pal was a lightning bolt on grass and came by it honestly. He's by speedy sire of sires Uncle Mo and his dam was the Grade 3 turf sprinter Lady Shipman, by champion juvenile Midshipman. He was a $325,000 RNA as a yearling and made an early start at 2 on April 17 at Gulfstream in a 4 1/2 furlong turf dash. Bumped at the start, he still made the lead and held it until caught by Gatsby. Sent to England, he was a brave second in the Norfolk Stakes-G2 (5f. Royal Ascot), making the pace only to lose by a neck to The Lir Jet. Back in the U.S., he won the Skidmore Stakes (5 1/2f.T SAR) by 3 1/2 lengths for his maiden win and made all the calls in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint-G2T (5 1/2f.T KEE). Sidelined by ankle surgery to have a chip removed, Golden Pal didn't make it back until July with a front-running 3 length win in the Quick Call Stakes-G3T (5 1/2f.T SAR). Sent again to England for the Nunthorpe Stakes-G1 (5f. York) he led, then tired to finish seventh. Back home, he won the Woodford Stakes-G2T (5 1/2f. T KEE), then dominated in winning the Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint-G1 (5f.T DMR). At 4 he won the Shakertown Stakes-G2T (5 1/2f. T KEE) setting tremendous fractions (:20.94, :43.58, :55.64, 1:02.21) by 4 3/4 lengths. In England, he was left at the break of the King's Stand Stakes-G1 (5f. Royal Ascot) and finished sixteenth. He won the Troy Stakes-G3T (5 1/2f.T SAR) pressing the pace and caught True Valour to win by a head. He won a second Woodford Stakes-G2T (5 1/2f.T) setting a new stakes record (1:01.39). In his final start, the Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint-G1T, he had a bad break and a terrible trip, coming in a dismal tenth. From 13 starts Golden Pal retired with 8 wins at 5 and 5 1/2 furlongs. He went to Coolmore/Ashford at a fee of $30,000 and attracted 293 mares, the most for any stallion that year. A big (16.1 1/2h), handsome, strongly made horse, his first yearlings averaged an impressive $121,717. The most precocious horse in this group and owning a world of speed, Golden Pal ought to do well as a freshman sire although it would be a surprise if he didn't pass on a turf bias.

As the first classic winner sired by Gun Runner, Early Voting helped establish his sire as a modern source of stamina, although his dam, Amour d'Ete, is a Tiznow half-sister to the sprint champion and speed sire Speightstown. Early Voting was a $200,000 yearling and won his only start at 2, a mile event at Aqueduct in December. At 3, he took the Withers Stakes-G3 (9f. AQU) in February wire to wire by 4 1/2 lengths. He was second in the Wood Memorial-G2 (9f. AQH) by a neck to future Belmont Stakes winner Mo Donegal, then won the Preakness Stakes-G1 (9 1/2f. PIM) beating Epicenter. He was fourth in the Jim Dandy Stakes-G2 (9f. SAR) won by Epicenter, then was eighth and last in the Travers Stakes-G1, mysteriously stopping on the far turn and was eased. A month later he was retired with 3 wins, 8 to 9 1/2 furlongs, from 6 starts. Early Voting went to stud at Coolmore/Ashford Stud at a $25,000 fee. He bred 191 mares but was determined to have a breeding issue, anejaculatory syndrome, which allowed for an insurance claim because he was unable to successfully breed. Moved to Taylor Made Farm, a specialist was called in and the problem was resolved but his reputation was damaged and he covered much smaller books the next 2 seasons. Despite the problem, his first crop numbers were good and 75 yearlings averaged a healthy $122,173. A later developing 2-year-old who got better with distance, Early Voting will probably have a number of good 2-year-olds but expect a dramatic improvement at 3.

Mandaloun is by perennial leading sire Into Mischief and out of Irish Group 2 winner Brooch by Belmont Stakes-G1 winner Empire Maker. He's a fourth generation homebred for Juddmonte. He won both his starts at 2, a maiden (6f. KEE) in October and an allowance (7f. CD) in November. At 3 in January he was third in the Lecomte Stakes-G3 behind Midnight Bourbon and Proxy, then won the Risen Star Stakes-G2 (9f. FG) beating the same colts. He was sixth in the Louisiana Derby-G2 won by Hot Rod Charlie, then ran second in the Kentucky Derby-G1 (10f. CD) behind Medina Spirit who was later disqualified due to a drug positive, moving Mandaloun up to the win. Skipping the Preakness and Belmont, in June he won the Pegasus Stakes-L (8 1/2f. MTH), then ran a game second to Hot Rod Charlie in the Haskell Stakes-G1 (9f. MTH) after a stretch duel ending in a head bob. Hot Rod Charlie was disqualified for drifting out on Midnight Bourbon, so Mandaloun was again awarded the win. In early August Mandaloun was taken offline with a sore heel and missed the rest of the season. His return at 4 was a win in the Louisiana Stakes-G3 (8 1/2f. FG) in January beating Midnight Bourbon. In February he was ninth in the Saudi Cup-G1, won by Emblem Road. In July he was fourth in the Stephen Foster Stakes-G2 won by Olympiad, and fourth again in the San Diego Handicap-G2 won by Royal Ship. In September, after 12 starts and 6 wins from 6 to 10 furlongs, Mandaloun was retired to Juddmonte. He stood for a fee of $25,000, covering 211 mares. His first yearlings sold well, averaging $107,762. Mandaloun stands 16.1 hands and is a handsome, well-made horse bearing a strong resemblence to his dam's sire Empire Maker. His wins at 2 were late in the season but at shorter distances, although he graduated to longer races at 3 and 4. His first crop runners will probably show similar aptitudes.

Belmont Stakes-G1 winner Mo Donegal is one of 2 classic winners by Uncle Mo, the other being Kentucky Derby-G1 winner Nyquist, now a leading sire. Mo Donegal is out of the winning Pulpit mare Callingmissbrown, a daughter of Grade 1 winner Island Sand. He was a $250,000 yearling. At 2 he was third in his debut in late September at Belmont, then won next time out in October (8 1/2f. BEL) as a stepping stone to winning the Remsen Stakes-G2 (9f. AQU) in December, beating Zandon by a nose. At 3 he was third in the Holy Bull Stakes-G3, then won the Wood Memorial Stakes-G2 (9f. AQU) by a neck defeating Early Voting. He was fifth in the Kentucky Derby-G1 won by Rich Strike, skipped the Preakness-G1 won by Early Voting, then won the Belmont Stakes-G1 (12f.) by 3 lengths over Nest. He came out of the race with bone bruising and never made it back to racing after only 7 starts but 4 wins (8.5 to 12 furlongs). Mo Donegal retired to Spendthrift Farm at a fee of $20,000 and bred 186 mares. He's a big horse at 16.2 hands who blends the handsome, smooth looks of Uncle Mo and the bulkiness of Pulpit. His first crop included 82 yearlings which sold for a dismal average of $38,340. His good ones sold very well (8 went for over $100,000) but were outnumbered by the less stellar. I would expect his 2-year-olds to run like he did, coming on late at 2 and preferring a route of ground as they mature.

A sprinter/miler of the highest class, Speaker's Corner is bred on a golden cross, by Street Sense out of a mare by Bernardini, which has produced Grade 1 winners Speaker's Corner, Maxfield, La Cara. A Godolphin homebred, he was third in his debut in September at Saratoga. He won next time out in October going 7 furlongs at Belmont in a classy maiden special beating Caddo River and Greatest Honour. Bothersome lower leg issues (ankles and pasters) put him off until the following August, winning an allowance (7f.) at Saratoga, then sixth in the Pennsylvania Derby-G1 won by Hot Rod Charlie. He won another allowance (8 1/2f. BEL) in October by 6 3/4 lengths, then ran second in the Discovery Stakes-L in November by a half length to Miles D. At 4 he rounded into peak form, winning the Fred W. Hooper Stakes-G3 (8f. GP) in January, the Gulfstream Park Mile Stakes-G2 (8f. GP) by 5 1/2 in March and the Carter Handicap-G1 (7f. AQU) by 4 1/2 lengths in April. After a third in the Metropolitan Handicap-G1 behind Flightline and Happy Saver, he was second in the John A. Nerud Stakes-G2 in July to Life is Good who won by 5. He was fourth in the Pat O'Brien Stakes-G2 in August, then seventh in the Ack Ack Stakes-G3 in October, signalling the end of his career, with 6 wins (7 to 8.5 furlongs) from 13 starts. He retired to Darley at Jonabell at a fee of $20,000, getting 149 mares. His first yearlings averaged $62,126, not bad for the fee invested. Speaker's Corner stands 16.1 1/2 hands and is very much in the image of his sire although a little more on the leg but very broad and powerful. Although a winner at 2, he got better with age, and with more precocious mares, he could get an early juvenile but they'll probably be better at 3 and 4.

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Dubai World Cup-G1 winner Mystic Guide took his time getting to the top of the world. By the brilliant Ghostzapper out of Music Note by A.P. Indy, he's a third generation Godolphin homebred. He was unraced at 2, then ran third in his debut at 3 in February after a rough trip over 6 furlongs at Fair Grounds. He won next time out in March (8 1/2 f. FG) by 5 lengths. In June he was second in an allowance at Belmont to Tap It To Win, beating Country Grammer, then ran third in July in the Peter Pan Stakes-G3 behind Country Grammer and Caracaro. Rounding into high form, he won his first stakes, the Jim Dandy Stakes-G2 (9f. SAR) then was second in the Jockey Club Gold Cup-G1 in October, missing by 3/4 of a length to Happy Saver. At 4, he returned in February to win the Razorback Handicap-G3 (8 1/2f. OP) by 6 lengths beating Silver Prospector. In March he shipped to Dubai to ace the Dubai World Cup-G1 (10f. Meydan) by 3 3/4 lengths. In July was second in the Suburban Stakes-G2 to Max Player by a neck at the same distance. Shortly after, he was found to have a knee chip, underwent surgery, and was out for the rest of the year. Anticipating a return at 5 he stayed in training but a soft tissue injury forced his retirement in April with a total of 9 starts, 4 wins, from 8 1/2 to 10 furlongs. He entered stud the next spring at Darley for $15,000 to a full book of 145 mares. His first yearlings averaged a $56,845, good value for the fee. Mystic Guide is an flashy, eye-catching individual standing 16.3 hands. He's muscular with a deep body and looks more like a speed horse than a 10 furlong runner. He's got lovely long forearms and short cannons but could benefit from a mare who is more correct. As a later-maturing middle distance horse, it's not surprising that he's not on my list as a top sire of 2-year-olds but like his sire Ghostzapper, his runners will undoubtedly get better with maturity.

Record-setting sprinter Nashville is by Speightstown and out of the unraced Veronique by Mizzen Mast, the second dam being a full sister to Kentucky Derby-G1 winner Giacomo. He was a $460,000 yearling but his debut was delayed until September of his 3-year-old year due to minor issues. Unleashed at Saratoga for the first time, he blew out a 6 1/2 furlong maiden race making all the calls to win by 11 1/2 lengths and followed up with a 6 furlong allowance win in October at Keeneland by 9 3/4 lengths in similar fashion. In November at Keeneland (on the Breeders' Cup undercard), he won the Perryville Stakes, setting a new track record of 1:07.89 making all the fractions and winning by 3 1/2 lengths. In December he was beaten in the Malibu Stakes-G1 by Charlatan. Over the winter he had surgery to remove an ankle chip, then met with a few false starts getting back to the races. Finally, in December he ran second, beaten in a 5 1/2 furlong allowance at Oaklawn. Returning at 5, he was seventh in the King Cotton Stakes in January at Oaklawn, then won a 6 furlong allowance in March at Fair Grounds by 4 3/4 in his old style. A tenth and last place finish in the Commondwealth Stakes-G3 in April at Keeneland signaled the need for a second ankle operation and he was retired with 4 wins from 8 starts, a professional sprinter winning from 6 to 6 1/2 furlongs. Nashville entered stud beside his sire at WinStar at a fee of $15,000, breeding 204 mares. His first yearlings averaged a hopeful $60,484. He's a handsome horse, well balanced, well muscled although not as bulky as his sire. Although absolutely brilliant on his day, his offspring may train like many of the Speightstown crowd, a little late getting to the races but dynamic once they get there. I'm not going to include him among my first year choices because of that.

A Grade 1 winner at 3, Happy Saver is by Kentucky Derby-G1 winner Super Saver and out of a stakes-placed daughter of Distorted Humor from a family with a history of top sires. He's inbred 4x3 to his third dam Weekend Surprise. He was unraced at 2 and didn't start at 3 until June when he zipped to a 5 1/2 length maiden score over 7 furlongs at Belmont. He followed with a 4 length romp in an allowance (9f. SAR), and a victory in the Federico Tesio Stakes (9f. LRL) in September. facing older horses, he beat Mystic Guide and Tacitus in the Jockey Club Gold Cup-G1 (10f. BEL) in October. At 4 Happy Saver won an allowance (8f. BEL) in May. In July, he met his first defeat when beaten by Max Player and Mystic Guide in the Suburban Stakes-G2 (10f. BEL). He was second in the Jockey Club Gold Cup-G1 to Max Player, then second in the Clark Stakes-G1 by half a length to Maxfield. At 5 in May he was second in the Alysheba Stakes-G2 to Olympiad, second in the Metropolitan Handicap-G1 in June to Flightline, and second in the Whitney Stakes-G1 in August to Life Is Good. He was off the board for the first time when fourth in the Lukas Classic-G2 won by Hot Rod Charlie, then an uncharacteristic seventh in the Breeders' Cup Classic-G1 won by Flightline, possibly due to a quarter crack on his left hind. He retired after 13 starts with 5 wins from 7to 10 furlongs. Going to Airdrie Stud at a fee of $12,500 he bred just 74 mares but those first yearlings averaged a $51,571. Happy Saver stands 16.1 1/2 hands and is a handsome, correct, powerful horse. His delay getting to the races means his progeny might not be overly precocious either but his versatility from 7 to 10 furlongs suggests greater things.

Breeders' Cup Sprint-G1 winner Aloha West is a son of the versatile Hard Spun out of Grade 3 winner Island Bound by Speightstown. His good looks brought $160,000 as a yearling but after training brilliantly at 2 his racing was delayed, first due to bucked shins in October then in June at 3, due to a condylar fracture in his left fore. Ready to go finally at 4, he made up for lost time. He won his debut in February (6f. OP) then ran fifth in a March allowance at Oaklawn, second in an allowance at Keeneland in April, before winning an allowance (7f. CD) by 5 lengths in May. He was fourth in the Kelly's Landing Overnight Stakes in June, same track, then won a pair of allowances at Saratoga, at 6 and 7 furlongs. He was second in the Phoenix Stakes-G2 (6f. KEE) in October by a neck to Special Reserve and ended his season with a win in the Breeders' Cup Sprint-G1 (6f. DMR) by a nose over Dr. Schivel. At 5, he was third in the Churchill Downs Stakes-G1 in May, fourth in the Metropolitan Handicap-G1 in June then won the Kelly's Landing Stakes-L (6 1/2f. CD) in July by a neck over Miles Ahead. He was last of 11 in the Breeders' Cup Sprint-G1 in his final run. A professional sprinter, he posted 6 wins from 6 to 7 furlongs from 12 starts. Aloha West retired to Mill Ridge Farm at $10,000 and bred 83 mares. His first yearlings averaged a modest $26,559. He's not a big horse, just 16.0 hands and looks like a blend of Danzig on Gone West, blocky and a little thickset. Although unraced at 2 and 3, he worked brilliantly both years but was set back by physical issues. He should get early 2-year-olds with a lot of speed if they can hold together.

Blazing fast Grade 1 sprinter Drain the Clock is by Maclean's Music out of Manki by Arch. He won his debut at 2 in September making all the fractions in a maiden (5f. GP) to win by 6 lengths. In October he won an allowance (6f. GPW). In November he started in the Jean Lafitte Stakes (7f. DED) but a stirrup broke causing him to lose his rider. He won his opener at 3 in January in the Limehouse Stakes (6f. GP) by 7 1/2 lengths, then dominated the Swale Stakes-G3 (7f. GP) by 6 1/4 lengths. Greatest Honour beat him in the Fountain of Youth Stakes-G2 when stretched to 1 1/16 miles but back to sprinting in April Drain the Clock wired his field in the Bay Shore Stakes-G3 (7f. AQU). In June in the Woody Stephens Stakes-G1 (7f. BEL), he dueled with Maclean's Music's other sprinting star Jackie's Warrior, who set a blistering pace but Drain the Clock caught him to win by a neck. Jackie's Warrior reversed the finish in the Amsterdam Stakes-G2 (6 1/2f. SAR). Drain the Clock was fourth in the H. Allen Jerkens Memorial Stakes-G1 in August then was off until December, winning a 6 furlong allowance at Gulfstream. At 5 he was second in the Gulfstream Park Sprint Stakes-L by a neck to Miles Ahead, then was seventh in the Dubai Golden Shaheen-G1 in March, fourth in the Smile Sprint Invitational Stakes-G3 in July and sixth in the Big Crosby Stakes-G1. He retired with 7 wins, 5 to 7 furlongs, from 15 starts. He proved popular at Gainesway Farm for a fee of $10,000, serving 199 mares. His first yearlings averaged a healthy $67,365. Drain the Clock stands 16.1 hands and is an eye-catching individual, extremely well made with excellent muscling. A flashy winner at 2, the buying public loved his yearlings and there are a lot of them so I expect him to do very well among the freshman sires in 2026.

Not only a Grade 1 winner, Idol is as well-bred as they come, being by champion, classic sire and sire of sires Curlin out of a stakes-winning and multiple stakes-producing daughter of A.P. Indy. He's bred on the Curlin/A.P. Indy nick and is a full brother to 2022 Champion 3-Year-Old Filly Nest. Idol was a $375,000 yearling and was unraced at 2. He needed extra time and debuted at 3 in September when second in a maiden at Churchill. Later in the month he won a maiden (7f. CD) by 2 1/2 lengths. Then, clearly relishing a distance, he won an allowance in November setting a new track record at Churchill for 1 3/16 miles (1:55.97) to win by 5 3/4 lengths. He was second in the San Antonio Stakes-G2 in December by half a length to Kiss Today Goodbye. At 4 in January he with a third in the San Pasqual Stakes-G2 to Express Train and Tizamagician. In March he closed to win the Santa Anita Handicap-G1 (10f.) turning the tables on Express Train with Maxfield third. Resting until October, he came back sixth in the Awesome Again Stakes-G1 won by Medina Spirit but was declared out of the Breeders' Cup Classic-G1 after coming back from a work a little "tight" in his hindquarter. At 5 in April he was sixth in the Oaklawn Handicap-G2 and never made it back to the races. Idol posted 8 starts, 3 wins from 7 to 10 furlongs. He retired to stud at Taylor Made at a fee of $10,000 and covered 128 mares, but his yearlings averaged an unprepossesing $28,820. Being a big (16.2h), leggy horse I don't expect his progeny to be very precocious. That said, this is a very good-looking, classy horse, a nice blend of Curlin and A.P. Indy and if the market can be patient, his progeny are sure to improve with age and distance.

Greatest Honour won a pair of important Derby preps, and owns a pedigree to match, being by classic sire Tapit out of a half-sister to Belmont Stakes-G1 winners Rags to Riches and Jazil. A homebred for Don Adams, he made 4 starts at 2, running at a very high level. He was third in his debut in September at Saratoga in a race won by Olympiad, Caddo River second. Next time out in October, he was third at Belmont in a maiden won by Speaker's Corner, Caddo River second again in a blanket finish. Third time out in November he was second by a head to Known Agenda. The Fourth time was the charm and he won a maiden (8 1/2f. GP) in late December beating Dynamic One. At 3, he won the Holy Bull Stakes-G3 (8 1/2f. GP) by 5 3/4 lengths in January and then scored in the Fountain of Youth Stakes-G2 (8 1/2f. GP) beating Drain the Clock. As odds-on favorite, he ran third in the Florida Derby-G1 behind Known Agenda but came out of the race a little off, diagnosed with front ankles showing bone bruising, so he was given the rest of the year off. At 4, Greatest Honour was sixth in the Challenger Stakes-G3 at Tampa in March, then was third in the Ghostzapper Stakes-G3 (9f. GP) in April behind Fearless. His final start was a fourth in the Westchester Stakes-G3 in May, won by Cody's Wish. He made 10 starts, winning 3, all at 8 1/2 furlongs, Greatest Honour was retired to Spendthrift Farm at a fee of $7,500 and was popular with 178 mares bred. His first yearlings averaged a discouraging $21,470. He's a very big horse standing 16.3 hands and shows tons of quality with a lovely neck, deep body and good hindquarter. He kept good company at 2, so who knows?

A 2-time track record setter, Highly Motivated is by perenial leading sire and sire of sires, Into Mischief out of stakes winner Strong Incentive by Warrior's Reward. He's a half-brother to Grade 1 winners Ways and Means and Surge Capacity. He was a $240,000 weanling, but apparently bought back by breeder Klaravich Stable. He was a very fast 2-year-old, second in his debut at Saratoga by a neck going 6 furlongs, and winning next time out at Belmont over 6 1/2 furlongs beating Known Agenda. In his third start on the Breeders' Cup undercard in November, he blazed home in the Nyquist Stakes, setting a new track record at Keeneland for 6 1/2 furlongs (1:14.99). At 3, he was third in the Gotham Stakes-G3 in March after a bad start, then ran a huge race to finish second in the Blue Grass Stakes-G2 (9f. KEE) beaten just a neck by Essential Quality. He was ninth in the Kentucky Derby-G1 (in which Medina Spirit finished first over Mandaloun) but was put on the sidelines for the rest of the year. At 4 he was fourth in an allowance at Keeneland in April then won an allowance (8f. BEL) in May by a neck over Stage Raider and Sibellius. Next he put on a rare display, winning the Monmouth Cup-G3 in July, setting another new track record, this time for 9 furlongs in 1:46.53 (which was broken later in the afternoon by Cyberknife). In August, he was second in the Philip H. Iselin Stakes-G3 (8.5f. MTH), losing a duel with Informative. He retired with 10 starts, 3 wins from 6 1/2 to 9 furlongs. Highly Motivated entered stud at Airdrie for $7,500 and bred 141 mares his first year and the yearlings resulting averaged $33,384, which isn't bad for a $7,500 fee. He's a handsome horse, standing 16.2 hands, is well muscled and profiles that long, level topline similar to his ancestor El Prado. Showing great speed at 2 and the ability to set track records at 6 1/2 and 9 furlongs, he ought to get his fair share of good juveniles this year.

A Grade 1 winner at 2, Pinehurst is by Twirling Candy out of a mare by Giant's Causeway, so bred on the same Candy Ride/Giant's Causeway cross as Gun Runner. He was a $180,000 weanling and the highest-priced Twirling Candy yearling of 2020 at $385,000. Brilliant at 2, he won his debut in August going 5 furlongs at Del Mar, getting the lead early and holding it. He won the Del Mar Futurity-G1 (7f.) in November, making all the pace and winning by 4 1/2 lengths. He was fifth in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile-G1 at Del Mar, won by stablemate Corniche. At 3, Pinehurst was second in the San Vicente Stakes-G2 in January to Forbidden Kingdom. In February he wired the field in the Saudi Derby-G3 (1,600m), but finished sixteenth and last in the UAE Derby-G2 in March then was given time off. He returned at the end of July in the Amsterdam Stakes-G2 (6 1/2f. SAR) but bobbled at the start and finished eighth of nine runners behind Gunite, ahead of Corniche who was eased. He was entered in the Perryville Stakes but was scratched by the vet for lameness. This proved his last start in a record with 7 races and 3 wins from 5 to 8 furlongs. He retired to Walmac Farm at a fee of $7,500 and bred 146 mares. His first yearlings averaged a modest $24,694. Pinehurst stands 16.3 hands and is a substantially built horse, lengthy and muscular. A very precocious high class juvenile, he should get precocious, speedy runners.

Classy and versatile Sir Winston is by Awesome Again and out of Grade 3 winner La Gran Bailadora by Afleet Alex. A homebred for Tracy Farmer, he was a $50,000 RNA as a yearling. He started early at 2, when sixth on debut in June at Churchill, then ninth in July at Saratoga on turf. He found his form winning in September at a mile and 70 yards on the all weather at Woodbine in a dead heat with Inclusive. He was third in the Grey Stakes-G3A in October then won the Display Stakes-L (8.5f. AW WO) beating Inclusive in December. At 3 he was fourth in the Withers Stakes-G3 in February, fifth in the Tampa Bay Derby-G3, then seventh in the Blue Grass Stakes-G2. Skipping the Kentucky Derby, he was second in the Peter Pan Stakes-G3 to Global Campaign which set him up for victory in the Belmont Stakes-G1 (12f. BEL) by a length over Tacitus. He was laid up with an ankle injury (left front) and returned in December to finish eleventh and last in the Woodchopper Stakes on turf. At 4, Sir Winston won an allowance (8f. AQU) in January by 2 1/4 lengths, then shipped for the Dubai World Cup-G1 but the race was canceled due to Covid-19. He didn't return in good form and was sidelined until June when second in the Flat Out Stakes-L (1 3/8 miles BEL) to Moretti. He was sixth in the Suburban Stakes-G2, then fourth in the Champions Day Marathon Overnight Stakes in September before being sent to the farm for some recouperation. He didn't come back at 5 until August, winning an allowance (8 1/2f AW) at Woodbine, then ran second in the Durham Cup-G3A in October by half a length to Special Forces. He was second in the Autumn Stakes-G2A in November by 3/4 of a length to Mighty Heart before returning a winner in the Valdeictory Stakes-G3A (12f. AW WO) in December. At 6 in January he was a fifth in the Pegasus World Cup Invitational Stakes-G1 won by Life Is Good and was retired. He ran 20 times, with 6 wins from 8 to 12 furlongs. He won on dirt and all weather, doing particularly well at Woodbine, and most importantly, won the American classic Belmont Stakes-G1. Sir Winston retired to Crestwood Farm at $7,500, covering 45 mares. His first yearlings averaged $16,438 which is not exactly golden. He stands 16.2 hands and other than his size, appears to be a rather typey Awesome Again, a leggy, short-backed middleweight. An early starter and stakes winner at 2, he has the right to sire good 2-year-olds, and his progeny may love the all weather course at Woodbine as much as their dear old dad.

The remaining 4 stallions in my table (ablve) all entered stud at $5,000: Grade 1 turf star Channel Cat (by English Channel), Grade 1 sprinter Hog Creek Hustle (by Overanalyze), the stakes-winning dirt stayer Moretti (by Medaglia d'Oro) and Grade 3 winner Plainsman (by Flatter). I'm not going to detail these sires because their low number of mares bred means they probably won't have significant numbers of 2-year-olds to rank among the top freshman sires.

Otherwise, this is an interesting group of young stallions full of potential but I have to narrow my freshman sire choices down to just a few. I hold a lot of stock in juvenile form at shorter distances and these criteria would normally eliminate a horse like Flightline who was unraced at 2 and didn't win a stakes until late in his 3-year-old year. But let's face it, I'd be a fool to scratch him. He was training very forwardly as a 2-year-old before his hindquarter injury, then won twice at 6 furlongs and the Malibu Stakes-G1 at 7 furlongs at 3, so he certainly has enough speed. Plus he'll have progeny out of exceptional mares so he's on my list.

Corniche was the Champion 2-Year-Old of 2021 and his yearlings had a lot of support, so he automatically makes the grade. I hold a lot of stock in strong yearling averages since it reflects the conformation experts' opinions, so I'm including Jackie's Warrior and Jack Christopher, both Grade 1 winners at 2 and speed marvels, and both of which have large foal crops and strong yearling sales in their favor.

Golden Pal was brilliantly fast and a Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf-G2 winner, even if his progeny will probably have a grass bias.

My wildcard choice is Drain the Clock, who had early speed and later speed and the market loved his babies, so he makes the list.

Copyright by Anne Peters 2026