Central Banker Earns Second New York Sire Title

Consistently high quality among Central Banker  's foals crop to crop has been a key factor in the McMahon of Saratoga Thoroughbred stallion securing his second consecutive leading sire title in New York for 2022.

The 12-year-old son of Speightstown   has $5,328,150 in progeny earnings as of Dec. 28, which gives him a more than $2.4 million lead over second-ranked Tourist  , who was relocated to Rockridge Stud in November. BloodHorse moves stallions to leading state sires lists according to where a horse is physically located, which is why Tourist is on the list though he will stand his first season in New York next year.

Central Banker has sired year to date 72 winners that captured 132 wins, which include 12 black-type stakes victories.

Morning Matcha , a filly out of the Iam the Iceman multiple stakes-placed winner Home Ice, is Central Banker's top earner this year, with a win in the Main Line Stakes at Parx Racing, a runner-up finish in the Cotillion Stakes (G1), and thirds in the Delaware Oaks (G3) and Comely Stakes (G3). Bank Sting , a filly out of the Precise End mare Bee in a Bonnet, won three stakes this year, taking the Heavenly Prize Invitational Stakes, Dancin Renee Stakes, and the La Verdad Stakes.

Central Banker, like his sire, champion sprinter Speightstown, did his best running at shorter distances. He won the seven-furlong Churchill Downs Stakes (G2) and was runner-up in the Malibu Stakes (G1) at the same distance. But his progeny have been able to stretch out, as shown by his millionaire son Bankit , out of the Colonel John mare Sister in Arms, who won the Alex M. Robb Stakes at nine furlongs and was second in two other nine-furlong stakes. Bankit, now 6, has won or placed in 20 black-type stakes and won two of five starts this year, getting wins in the Evan Shipman Handicap at Saratoga Race Course and New York Stallion Series Stakes at Aqueduct Racetrack.

"It shows he suits a variety of different types of mares and produces consistently good foals," said John McMahon with McMahon of Saratoga. "Actually, he has been unbelievably consistent in throwing foals with the characteristics that make them good racehorses. They have good bone, good hips, strong shoulders, correct legs, and good minds."

This consistency has made Central Banker a popular choice with breeders outside New York, attracting mares from throughout the Mid-Atlantic and as far as Florida.

"He is not just a New York sire, though the state-bred program helps, helps, helps," said McMahon. "It is hard to get a regional sire to work outside his region; he really has to be a standout. Central Banker has done this because of the broad range of support from the breeders. Their support has been rewarded with consistency in his progeny statistics."

Central Banker has sired 139 career winners so far, which is 63% of his starters. His top runners include 11 black-type winners and another 10 that have placed in a black-type stakes. His progeny have won nearly $17 million in purses collectively, which means they have earned $76,650 per runner.