Who will be the leading first crop sire in USA?

Usually in this spot we are looking at the overall top 20 among North American sires on the all aged list.

But with the year nearing the September 30 third quarter mark, it makes for a perfect opportunity to explore the leaders among this year’s first crop sires.

Not surprisingly, Monte Miki and Pebble Beach, the Dan Patch Award winners at two and three respectively and both members of the Class of 2019, have distanced themselves from all others.

Monte Miki, a son of the world champion Always B Miki, has progeny earnings of $944,215, almost $275,000 ahead of the second placed Pebble Beach with $669,997.

American Courage, who is represented by only eight foals, and Gulf Shores, the runner-up to Monte Miki in the Breeders Crown, round out the top four among the first season sires.

Monte Miki, whose frozen semen is available from the new Rampant Standardbreds stud, Bundanoon (NSW), raced only as a two-year-old, winning six of his seven starts for $665,276 including the Breeders Crown and Metro Pace.

From 102 foals, he has been represented by 67 starters, 33 winners with 23 in 2:00 and eight in 1:55. His stock include the Ohio Sire Stakes Championship winners Dancin Miki (1:53.4) and Jett James (1:51.2) and the Parshall Futurity winner Say Hey Miki.

Pebble Beach, who stands at Alabar Bloodstock, captured the Breeders Crown, North America Cup and Tattersalls Pace in a spectacular three-year-old campaign which netted $1.35 million.

The son of Downbytheseaside left 89 foals in his initial crop, of whom 51 have raced and 22 have emerged successful with 18 in 2:00 and 12 in 1:55. Among Pebble Beach’s top performers have been Goodwalkspoiled (1:50) and the Kentucky Sires Stake winners Banana Beach (1:51.2), Dame Frances (1:50.8) and Bluebird Beach (1:53.4).

American Courage, a Stakes-winning son of American Ideal, has sired five winners headed up by the $300,000 New York Sires Stake Championship victor Bastonata Bluechip, while Gulf Shores, another son of Downbytheseaside, has left 32 starters and 19 winners from 49 foals including 12 in 2:00.

On the trotting side, the Walner horse King Of The North, whose frozen semen is available from Llowalong Farms, Kyabram (VIC.), is the clear leader among the first crop sires with progeny earnings of $1,055,268. Among his winners are the Ontario Sires Stakes Gold champions Major Contender ($146,804) and Flawless Lady and the Champlain Stakes winner King Of The South.

Another son of Walner in Temporal Hanover is second on the list with $822,257, followed by the Breeders Crown champion Rebuff ($788,440) and Cuatro De Julio ($413,371).

by Peter Wharton, for Harnesslink