5 Fast Facts: Kentucky Derby Sires

Apr 18, 2018 Vance Hanson/Brisnet.com

1. Two stallions will have the opportunity to sire a second Kentucky Derby winner in the race's 2018 renewal on May 5. Malibu Moon, the sire of Arkansas Derby (G1) and Rebel (G2) winner Magnum Moon, previously sired 2013 Kentucky Derby winner Orb. Distorted Humor, represented by Tampa Bay Derby (G2) winner and Arkansas Derby runner-up Quip, previously sired 2003 Derby winner Funny Cide. Other stallions to have sired multiple Kentucky Derby winners were Virgil, Longfellow, Falsetto, Broomstick, The Finn, Black Toney, Sir Gallahad III, St. Germans, Blenheim, Bold Venture, Bull Lea, Bold Bidder, Exclusive Native, Halo, and Alydar. Virgil, Falsetto, and Bull Lea sired three Kentucky Derby winners each, while Bold Venture is the only Derby winner to sire two Derby winners.

2. Kentucky Derby history is replete with winners who avenged previous Derby losses by their fathers. Derby-losing stallions that will be represented in this year's Run for the Roses include the late Scat Daddy (18th, 2007), Medaglia d'Oro (4th, 2002), Union Rags (7th, 2012), Curlin (3rd, 2007), Tapit (9th, 2004), Creative Cause (5th, 2012), Take Charge Indy (19th, 2012), and Shackleford (4th, 2011). Proud Citizen, the 2002 runner-up, could be represented by Blended Citizen if several horses in the current Top 20 defect by entry time.

3. Who is the only Kentucky Derby entrant whose sire was a winner over 1 1/4 miles at Churchill Downs? That would be Risen Star (G2) winner Bravazo. He's by Awesome Again, who captured the 1998 Breeders' Cup Classic (G1) at Churchill against one of the deepest fields in the race's history.

4. In addition to Awesome Again, Derby sires this year that won at 1 1/4 miles or beyond include the aforementioned Medaglia d'Oro, Union Rags, and Curlin. Add to that list Lonhro, the Australian champion whose Group 1 wins on turf Down Under included the Mackinnon Stakes, previously a prep for the Melbourne Cup (G1) held three days before the famous two-mile handicap. Lonhro is the sire of English invader Gronkowski.

5. This year's three-year-old class includes the penultimate crop by Scat Daddy, who passed away in December 2015. In addition to likely Derby favorite Justify, who has won all three of his starts including the Santa Anita Derby (G1), Scat Daddy is also the sire of Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf (G1) and U.A.E. Derby (G2) winner Mendelssohn and Flameaway, the Sam F. Davis (G3) winner and runner-up in the Tampa Bay Derby (G2) and Blue Grass (G2). Scat Daddy could have a fourth Derby starter if the multiple graded-placed Combatant, currently 21st on the Derby point leaderboard, makes the field with the aid of one defection.

(Malibu Moon photo courtesy of Spendthrift Farm)