While reading the Bloodhorse article today about Curlin’s victory in Dubai, it struck me as an interesting parallel that his dam Sherriffs Deputy and Rags to Riches’ dam Better Than Honour share a common sire, Deputy Minister. That got me thinking…just how influential is Deputy Minister’s bloodline, not just as a sire of sires, but particularly of broodmares? Just a cursory examination reveals a profound impact.
In addition to Rags to Riches, Better Than Honour has also produced 2006 G1 Belmont winner Jazil and the promising three-year-old three-quarter brother of Rags, Casino Drive who won his maiden race in Japan this week over 9f and by nearly 12 lengths. Reports are surfacing that his connections will ship him to the US in April, with his ultimate goal being the Belmont Stakes. How cool would it be for the same mare to have produced three consecutive Belmont Stakes winners?
Among the current crop of three-year-olds, Deputy Minister’s female progeny have produced undefeated Alaazo (Atelier) and G1 Norfolk victor Dixie Chatter (Mini Chat). Taking the line a little further, the sons of Deputy Minister haven’t done too badly either. French Deputy’s daughters have given birth to G2 Risen Star third-place finisher Visionaire (Scarlet Tango), G2 Hutcheson winner Smooth Air (Air France), EZ Dreamer (French Debutante) and Wind’s Legacy (My Meggie Meg), while Silver Deputy’s daughters have produced The Darp (Silver Savior), and G1 Hopeful third-place finisher Maimonides (Silvery Swan, who also produced current sires Roman Ruler and El Corredor).
As a sire, French Deputy is enjoying phenomenal success in Japan and Australia; in the US, his son Reflect Times recently finished third in the G2 Robert B. Lewis, and will next appear in the G3 Sham. Deputy Minister’s son Touch Gold sired Ready Set (Party Cited) and G3 KY Cup runner-up Yogi’ssplashofgold (Yogi’s Polar Bear), as well as turfster Sharp Susan (Winter’s Gone) and recent G3 Hurricane Bertie victress Sugar Swirl (Astrapi). Silver Deputy’s sons include impressive Saratoga maiden winner J Be K (Major Wager) who will start in the G2 Louisiana Derby and G2 Hutcheson runner-up Silver Edition (Sincerely), not to mention older horse Spring at Last (Winter’s Gone), winner of G1 Donn and G2 Godolphin Mile. Through Silver Deputy’s son Posse there is G1 BC Juvenile third-place finisher Kodiak Kowboy and G3 Sapling winner Lantana Mob, while El Corredor has produced G3 San Rafael winner El Gato Malo (One Bad Cat) and the filly Backseat Rhythm (Kiss a Miss) who finished second behind Indian Blessing in the G1 Frizette and third in the BC Juvenile Fillies.
Impressive! Anyone care to add any additional horses I missed?
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2 comments:
I'm not aware of any that you missed. I think you make an excellent point here. So often all we hear of is the Smart Strike connection, but Deputy Minister does seem to be prevalent in a number of really good horses.
Nice catch, Valerie. I've long been a fan of Deputy Minister, but I'd missed his numbers as a broodmare sire completely. ^-^
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