Florida-Based Sire Kantharos to Hill 'n' Dale

Stonestreet announced Sept. 8 that current Florida-based sire Kantharos   will move to Kentucky to stand at Hill 'n' Dale Farms near Lexington.

"We are extremely grateful for the fabulous job both Vinery and Ocala Stud did in launching the stallion career of Kantharos. He was wonderfully managed and supported by Florida breeders who revealed him to be an important sire," said Stonestreet owner Barbara Banke. "We look forward to supporting Kantharos with very good mares from our broodmare band as well as buying mares specifically to breed to him."

"Kantharos is a special horse that we have been privileged to be associated with," said David O'Farrell, Farm Manager at Ocala Stud. "We see nothing but upside for him going forward.".

In 2016 Kantharos is the leading active sire in Florida by earnings, as well as the state's leading active Turf sire. The 8-year-old son of Lion Heart leads Florida in stakes winners and he is Florida's leading 2-year-old sire. 

Against a stellar group of third-crop sires, he currently ranks sixth nationally with standout 2016 runners, X Y Jet, runner up in the Golden Shaheen (UAE-I); and the undefeated Chad Brown-trained Ancient Secret, winner of the Lake George Stakes (gr. II) at Saratoga Race Course.

"Kantharos' rise to prominence has been nothing short of remarkable," said Hill 'n' Dale president John G. Sikura. "He was an exceptionally promising racehorse who has been siring very precocious, quality runners."

Campaigned by Stonestreet, Kantharos won his three career starts by a combined 28 1/2 lengths, taking the 2010 Bashford Manor Stakes (gr. III) by 9 1/2 lengths and the grade II Saratoga Special Stakes by 7 1/4 lengths.

Hall of Fame trainer Steve Asmussen said, "Kantharos is a beautiful horse with great action and brilliance. He had limitless potential. He is passing on his superior looks and ability to his offspring and I am very proud of his success."

"He is a very well made horse who is throwing attractive, athletic runners as witnessed by a $550,000 OBS March 2-year-old," Sikura added. "One of his most appealing qualities is his ability to vastly move his mares up.

On the 2-year-old sire list through Sept. 8, Kantharos ranks behind only War Front, Scat Daddy, and Into Mischief.

"With 115 mares bred in 2015, Kantharos is poised for a truly meteoric rise," Sikura said.