Grade 1-winning miler MR. SIDNEY (Storm Cat) will stand at stud at Haras du Quesnay in Normandy, France, it was
announced Sunday by Lee Einsidler and Daniele Churchill, who campaigned the horse
under their Circle E Racing Stable, and Alec Head, the stud farm’s owner. He
will stand for an introductory fee of €9,000.
The five-year-old captured the Maker’s Mark Mile (G1) at Keeneland and the
Firecracker H. (G2) at Churchill this season. In his past two starts, Mr. Sidney
was third in the Shadwell Turf Mile (G1) and seventh in the Breeders’ Cup Dirt
Mile (G1).
A $3.9 million Keeneland September yearling, the bay is out of multiple Grade
1-winning millionaire Tomisue’s Delight (A.P. Indy), a full sister to Horse of
the Year Mineshaft.
Einsidler commented on the decision to send Mr. Sidney overseas.
“We weighed
offers, both domestically and internationally, but we thought going to France
would give Mr. Sidney the best chance for success as a stallion,” Einsidler
said. “Bill Mott, who
trained him, has known Alec Head for many years and has trained for him. That
relationship gave us a degree of comfort, as did the recommendation of Bill, who
was really responsible for the horse’s success.”
Head is confident that Mr. Sidney will have no trouble finding demand
in Europe.
“I think that Mr. Sidney will cross well with the European mares,” Head
said. “He is a very well-made horse, by stallion of the century Storm
Cat, who has been successful all around the world. His dam is a winner of two
Grade 1s, his granddam (Broodmare of the Year Prospectors Delite [Mr. Prospector]) is also a
multiple Grade 1 winner, which already is rare. When you go back in his
pedigree, you have Storm Cat, A.P. Indy and Mr. Prospector, three of the best.”
Pedigree expert Andrew Caulfield agreed.
“French breeders are sure to give Mr.
Sidney a warm welcome, not only because he is a Grade 1-winning miler, but also
because his pedigree combines some of the most influential American stallions of
recent decades,” Caulfield said. “Between them, Storm Cat, A.P. Indy and Mr.
Prospector topped the North American sires’ list a total of six times.”