Sire. That’s a great word. Simply, it means male parent, but for some reason it’s ring is so much grittier. Maybe it’s the etymology: vulgar latin (source: Merriam-Webster). In these decidedly non-feudal times, nowhere is the term sire more poignant than in horse racing. More often than not, the highly competitive colts or fillies have a story to tell with their lineage. At this year’s Kentucky Derby, the field is for the most part no different.

Take a moment to check out the dad’s associated with the Run for the Roses.

Smart Strike

Sired: Lookin At Lucky (3-1)*

Stats:

Daddy of Curlin

Mating fee jumped from 50 K to 75 K the year Curlin won the Preakness

Links:

Smart Strike a sought-after stud after Curlin wins Preakness

Candy Ride

Sired: Sidney’s Candy (5-1)

Stats:

Deemed the best horse sired by Ride on Rails, out of 362 offspring

Owned by Sid and Jenny…Craig that is

Links:

Candy Ride wiki

Jenny Craig seeking sweet treat in Kentucky Derby

Awesome Again

Sired: Awesome Act (10-1)

Stats:

Back in ’98, Awesome Again entered six races. He won them all.

Links:

Awesome Again wiki

Pulpit

Sired: Ice Box (10-1)

Stats:

In the race he was injured in before being put out to stud, Pulpit still finished fourth

Links:

Pulpit wiki

Cuvee:

Sired: Noble’s Promise (12-1)

Stats:

Nothing to write home about, except familial ties to Barbaro

Ghostzapper (stupid name)

Sired: Stately Victor (30-1)

Stats:

He was sired by Awesome Again (more points for Awesome Again)

Kitten’s Joy

Sired: Dean’s Kitten

Stats

Barbaro link alert: Kitten’s Joy is ridden regularly by Edgar Prado, who rode Barbaro to a 2006 Derby Victory. Reaching, yes.

Links:
Kitten’s Joy wiki

Sadler’s Wells

Sired: Paddy O’prado

Produced over 260 stakes winners

14 time Champion Sire in Great Britain & Ireland, given to the horse whose progeny earns the most prize money that year

Link:

Champ sire Sadler’s Wells retires (BBC)

Unbridled’s Song

Sired: Mission Impazible

Stats:

Reputation for “brittle-boned progeny” (see: Eight Belles)

Link:

Breeding of Eight Belles questioned, defended

Mineshaft

Sired: Discreetly Mine

Also sired Japan’s would-be hopeful for challenge Big Brown two-years ago, Casino Drive

Link:

Mineshaft wiki

Afleet Alex

Sired: Dublin

Stats:

Took the Preakness and Belmont in 2005

Afleet Alex wiki

Smarty Jones

Sired: Backtalk

Stats:

Winner of the 2004 Kentucky Derby and Preakness Stakes

Link:

Smarty Jones wiki

*Odds via today’s Courier-Journal