I made one of these review posts start of last year, and I actually kept track of stallions this year.
In 2023, we lost 11 stallions. They are:
NCh. Al Mundhir, 2013 chestnut stallion
Unfortunately, we lost the last standing son of Almost Home far too soon. Al Mundhir retired from racing after his 2018 season, having earned just over $1.08 million and a win in the G1 King George VI Chase. At stud, he produce just 5 crops before his sudden retirement. His oldest foals just turned 4, but they include MSW Ch. Al Hamra an SW Ch. Scion. Hopefully there’s a future heir in his final foals!
NCh. Bellagio, 2008 dark bay stallion
The son of Lonesome Glory had became a staple in the FF breeding scene, his first crop appearing in FF2014, making his oldest foals 10 years old at the time of this post. He won $8 million on the track, won 6 G1’s including the Dubai World Cup, and broke two speed records. From 10 MSW foals, there is hope in an heir through GCh. Bells Beach, who just needs one more SW of any grade.
ICh. To Die For, 2012 dark bay stallion
His dam, Trail of Smoke, made her one and only foal count with To Die For. He won $3.7 million on the track, set a speed record for 10f dirt, and won 13 stakes races. From 7 crops, he’s sired 6 SW’s and 2 MSW’s, including Ch. Careful Memory and Ch. Bhairava. At the moment, it is unsure if he will have a son to carry on his name.
ICh. Gilded Saint, 2008 dark bay stallion
One of the last created stallions at stud (minus the RL studs, the only other created stallions still at stud are Belanso and Unabridged). Gilded Saint was a late-bloomer on the track, scoring his SW’s between age 4-6, all in SC. At stud, he produced 9 crops and 13 SW’s, with 7 achieving MSW status. Of those, he has an heir in GCh. Spiritofsaintlouis, whose first crop arrives this year.
NCh. Celtic Str, 2009 light bay stallion
Another of the final creates we’ve lost, Celtic Star won 3 G1’s and set 3 speed records for long turf. At stud, he quickly earned an heir in his first crop with NCh. Tir Na Nog, whose oldest foals just turned one. So far, Tir Na Nog is his only MSW, with just 3 SW’s beside. However, Celtic Star’s final crop is still hitting the ground.
NCh. Dark Demand, 2009 chestnut stallion
The only son of Black Knight to enter stud, and one of the stallion’s 19 lifetime foals, Dark Demand was a classic dirt specialist with G1 wins including the Preakness Stakes, Breeders’ Cup Juvenile, Breeders’ Cup Mile, Florida Derby, and Woodbine Mile. He was 2011 2yo Colt Champion. At stud he produced 9 MSW’s, including GCh. Northern Invasion, who just earned his stud qualification this past Breeders’ Cup, and potential second heir GCh. Dark Debate, who needs just one SW of any grade to qualify.
GCh. Beau Esprit, 2012 dark bay stallion
He made two years of racing count with 6 G1 wins. He was one of just two I’m No Angel sons to enter stud (the other being Naval Commander, still at stud). So far, from 8 crops, his only MSW is 3-time stakes winner Ch. Vanbrugh
GCh. Galaxy’s Zodiac, 2012 dapple gray stallion
High on Love lost his final son-at-stud with the retirement of Galaxy’s Zodiac. Winner of the G1 Breeers’ Cup Mile and G1 Travers, Galaxy’s Zodiac was a little unassuming entering stud with just a pair of G1’s. At stud, however, he sired 11 SW’s and 5 MSW’s. Currently, his most potential son to enter stud is from his first crop, GCh. Lost in Space, who just needs that elusive G1 win.
NCh. Eighteen Karat, 2010 bay stallion
3-time G1 winner – including the Belmont Stakes – and setter of 5 speed records going long on the turf, Eighteen Karat is a son of the notable What’s It Worth line. At stud, he’s sire 17 SW’s and 6 MSW’s. Unfortunately at this time he has no apparent heir, though plenty of talented foals that could become something in the next few years. He was the only stallion in California.
WCh. Usain Bolt, 2013 strawberry roan stallion
Another we lost far too soon, Usain Bolt was only one of two sons of Strider at stud. Usain Bolt won 12 stakes races in 5 years of racing. His oldest crop just turned four, so it’s impossible to tell how his progeny will go – currently he has just one SW through his daughter, Ch. Can’t Keep Me.
NCh. Changeling, 2012 bay stallion
Though one of the younger stallions we’ve lost, Changeling is already silver-ranked an Chef-de-Race (I), his first crop being 6 this year. Currently he already has 11 MSW’s, with a potential heir in Ch. Dark Ages from his first crop, who is seeking his final 2 SW’s of any grade.