In history there have been many examples of full brothers enjoying success at stud –Diesis and Kris (Sharpen Up), Graustark and His Majesty (Ribot), and Sadler’s Wells and Fairy King (Northern Dancer), to name but a few.
However, in 2016, there have been a number of both full and half brothers who have made their mark in major races around the world.
Deep Impact and Black Tide
Deep Impact
Former Japanese Triple Crown winning champion Deep Impact (Sunday Silence) has totally dominated the Japanese General Sires List this year.
The greatest son of Japan’s greatest sire, Deep Impact has been represented by 25 individual stakes winners in 2016, and his 3yos have captured all of Japan’s classic races for colts.
Deep Impact, whose son Mikki Island won the Gr1 Mile Championship for a second time this year, was also represented by the international Gr1 winners Real Steel (Dubai Turf) and A Shin Hikari (Prix D’Ispahan). The latter is the joint fourth top rated horse in the world this year (according to the Longines World’s Best Racehorses Rankings).
One of the world’s great sires, Deep Impact has 90 stakes winners to his credit, and his progeny have wracked up a stunning $398 million in stakes!
Remarkably, his full brother, Black Tide, has also enjoyed his moment in the sun, thanks to the deeds of his Gr1 Japan Cup winning son Kitasan Black.
Deep Impact and Black Tide are currently 1st and 12 respectively on Japan’s General Sires List.
Urban Sea sons
Legendary broodmare, and former Arc De Triomphe winner, Urban Sea (Miswaki), enjoyed an all but unique Epsom double in 2016 when her sons Galileo (Sadler’s Wells) and Sea The Stars (Cape Cross) were responsible for the Investec sponsored classic winners Minding (Oaks) and Harzand (Derby) respectively.
Galileo
The world’s premier sire, Galileo enjoyed a superb season even by his own remarkable standards, with his offspring (Found, Highland Reel and Order Of St George) filling the first three places in the Gr1 Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe.
Progeny of this great sire (who has claims to being the number one in history) won a staggering 24 Gr1 races this season.
His greatest son, Frankel, got off to an exceptional start with his first 2yo runners this season including the high class group winners Fair Eva, Frankuus, Queen Kindly, Toulifaut, and the impressive Japanese filly Mi Suerte.
His half brother, and six time Gr1 winner, Sea The Stars enjoyed another excellent season, with his offspring also including the G1 Prix Jean Prat hero Zelzal amid a total of 14 stakes winners in 2016. The brilliant half brothers finished 1st and 4th on the British General Sires List.
(Remarkably they were not the only sons of Urban Sea to make their mark –with former Irish Derby runner up Born To Sea (Invincible Spirit)’s first crop including G3 winner Sea Of Grace and stakes performers Born To Be and Star Of Rory).
Invincible Spirit and Kodiac
French Oaks winner Rafha (Kris) left a real legacy behind in the form of her sons Invincible Spirit (Green Desert) and Kodiac (Danehill).
The three parts brothers (by sired by sons of Danzig) enjoyed yet another great season, with the Irish National Stud resident Invincible Spirit’s stakes winners including such Gr1 winners as National Defense (Prix Jean Luc Lagardere) and Signs Of Blessing (Prix Maurice De Gheest).
Invincible Spirit
A consistently excellent sire, whose French Derby winning son Lawman was responsible for 2016 Gr1 Ladbrokes St Leger winner Harbour Law, Invincible Spirit is also responsible for red-hot Australian sire I Am Invincible and the very popular young sire, and former Horse Of The Year Kingman (a three parts brother to Oasis Dream).
Half brother Kodiac has long been established as a top class sire of top 2yos, with his best including the brilliant filly Tiggy Wiggy. The son of Danehill once again came to the party with his juveniles this year including the group winners Ardad (Gr2 Flying Childers Stakes), Prince Of Lir (Gr2 Norfolk Stakes) and Best Solution (Autumn Stakes).
Kodiac has been one of the rags to riches success stories in the Irish stallion ranks, having started his career at a fee of £5 000.
- Sarah Whitelaw
