Putting Uncle Mo in Perspective

Uncle Mo  's remarkable start at Ashford Stud begs the question of whether he has been the most successful first-crop and second-crop sire ever in North America.

Blood-Horse sought the answer by compiling the first-crop and second-crop records since 1980 for the stallions that led their respective freshman sire classes. Because of the tremendous growth in mares bred and available purses, allowances had to be made. First, we adjusted all progeny earnings to reflect their value in 2016 U.S. dollars. Second, we looked at average earnings per starter for both reported and adjusted earnings.

By adjusted total earnings and earnings per starter, Claiborne Farm's Danzig (first crop raced in 1984) still stands out as North America's most successful first-crop sire. In 2016 dollars Danzig's first-crop earnings equal $4,962,208 compared with Uncle Mo's first-crop earnings of $3,675,294. Danzig also is the only first-crop sire since 1980 with adjusted average earnings per starter above $200,000; his average is $354,443. Even in 1984 dollars, Danzig stood out as the first freshman sire with progeny earnings exceeding $2 million. The next stallion to cross that threshold was Gainesway's Tapit   in 2008 with $2,811,337 in first-crop earnings.

Danzig continued to excel as a second-crop sire but lost the top spot by adjusted earnings to Darley's late Street Cry, who had $7,604,733 for his second-crop year. Uncle Mo, with $7,368,722 in progeny earnings through June 16 (includes Nyquist's $1 million bonus for winning the Fasig-Tipton Florida Derby, gr. I), is well poised to overtake Street Cry. Though Uncle Mo didn't catch Danzig as a freshman sire, he is also in good position to become the leading sire by combined first-crop and second-crop earnings. Danzig holds the lead now with $11,951,396 in combined adjusted earnings while Uncle Mo is nipping at his heels with $11,044,016.