Kentucky Derby Sires: Five Fast Facts

Apr 25, 2019 John Mucciolo/TwinSpires.com

1. The 2019 Kentucky Derby (G1) marks the 30th anniversary of the victory by Horse of the Year Sunday Silence in 1989. Following his retirement the son of Halo garnered little interest as a sire in North America and was exported to stud duty in Japan, where he became arguably the most influential stallion in the history of Japanese racing. He was Japan's leading sire every year from 1995-2007, and two from his lineage will compete in this year's Run for the Roses. Blue Grass Stakes (G2) runner-up Win Win Win is by the Sunday Silence's son Hat Trick, while import Master Fencer is by Just A Way, a grandson of Sunday Silence. 
2. There are 18 sires representing the 20 horses (War Front and Candy Ride each have two) expected to run in the Kentucky Derby. Just five of those competed in the Kentucky Derby during their racing careers. Tapit (ninth, 2004), Lookin at Lucky (sixth, 2010), Take Charge Indy (19th, 2012) and Goldencents (17th, 2013), all failed to make an impact on the first Saturday in May. A runner-up finish by Hard Spun in 2007 marks the only occasion where a stallion with a contender in the field hit the board in the race. 
3. Of the 18 sires it is notable that 17 accomplished grade/group 1 glory on the racetrack. War Front, who is represented by potential favorite Omaha Beach and Louisiana Derby (G2) winner War of Will, is the lone exception. He came close on two occasions, finishing second-best in both the Forego Stakes (G1) and Vosburgh Stakes (G1) in 2006. 
4. Arch, the sire of Tax, is the lone sire in the field with a direct stamp on a previous Kentucky Derby winner. His daughter, Arch's Gal Edith, produced 2012 victor I'll Have Another. 
5. Improbable is the lone Kentucky Derby contender who has a win over the Churchill Downs strip, and is also by a sire who was victorious beneath the Twin Spires. City Zip broke his maiden on the course in his second effort in the spring of 2000.