Hill 'n' Dale Farms Releases 2019 Stud Fees

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Photo: Anne M. Eberhardt

Extraordinary performances at the racetrack and in the auction ring have allowed Hill 'n' Dale Farms to bump up the 2019 stud fees for Curlin  and Kitten's Joy , two of the top four active stallions on the BloodHorse's general leading sire list.

Curlin, a 14-year-old son of Smart Strike, will stand for $175,000 next season, up from $150,000 this year. Kitten's Joy will stand for $75,000, up from $60,000 this year.

Kitten's Joy recently jumped to the top of the leading sire list and is well-poised heading into the Breeders' Cup World Championships to earn his second North American sire title. The 17-year-old son of El Prado earned his first leading sire title in 2013, when he was also the leading North American turf sire. Kitten's Joy has since locked down the leading turf sire title for the last five years. 


Kitten's Joy

Curlin ranks fifth on the general leading sire list with more than $10.45 million in progeny earnings and is co-ranked third by number of graded/group stakes winners with eight, alongside Kitten's Joy, Candy Ride , and War Front . On the sale side, Curlin is the fourth-leading North American sire by yearling average among stallions represented by three or more sold. He has been represented by 40 yearlings averaging $456,300. Three of his progeny sold at the Keeneland September Yearling Sale brought seven-figure prices, led by a $1.8 million colt out of Molly Morgan that Larry Best's OXO Equine bought out of the Summerfield consignment for Stonestreet Thoroughbred Holdings.

Also seeing a rise in price is Violence , currently the leading second-crop sire by progeny earnings (more than $3.8 million), winners (68), black-type winners (eight), and black-type wins (eight). His chief earner is grade 1-placed, grade 3 winner Talk Veuve to Me. The 3-year-old filly won the Indiana Oaks (G3) and was second in the Acorn Stakes (G1). Violence will stand for $40,000 next year, up from $25,000 in 2018.

"The increase in fees for several of our stallions represents racetrack and sales success, and the decision was not taken lightly," said Hill 'n' Dale president John Sikura. "We continue to offer breeders stallions that are on the rise. This success should offer proof that supporting Hill 'n' Dale stallions is a wise investment in this competitive marketplace." 

New to Hill 'n' Dale's roster next year is champion and multiple grade 1 winner Good Magic , who is by Curlin, and undefeated grade 1 winner Army Mule , a son of Friesan Fire  and one of the leading sprinters in the country. Army Mule's 114 Beyer Speed Figure in the Carter Handicap (G1) is the highest up to a mile in 2018. 

"Our two new additions of Good Magic and Army Mule give breeders a chance to get involved in stallions that we think will be our next generation of important stallions," Sikura said. "Our roster continues to expand, offering breeders proven stallions at the highest level in Curlin and Kitten's Joy, coupled with emerging important sires like Violence, Kantharos , and Maclean's Music . Champion Flintshire  has great first foals, some of which will be offered in November. Yearlings by Bayern  and Secret Circle  rewarded breeders handsomely at the sales this year."

The roster also includes stalwarts Midnight Lute , who is currently ranked among the top 20 leading sires and has been represented this year by grade 1 millionaire Midnight Bisou, and Stormy Atlantic , who has sired more than 100 black-type winners, including 2017 Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint (G1T) winner Stormy Liberal.  

Hill 'n' Dale Farms' 2019 Stud Fees
Stallions
2019 Fee
2018 Fee
Army Mule - NEW
$10,000
 
Atreides
$5,000
$5,000
Bayern
$15,000
$15,000
Curlin
$175,000
$150,000
Flintshire
$15,000
$20,000
Good Magic - NEW
$35,000
 
Kantharos
$20,000
$15,000
Kitten's Joy
$75,000
$60,000
Maclean's Music
$25,000
$25,000
Midnight Lute
$15,000
$15,000
Secret Circle
$5,000
$5,000
Stormy Atlantic
$10,000
$15,000
Violence
$40,000
$25,000