Biggest freshman disappointment of 2008?

[Bohemia]

For me, it's Smarty Jones, hands-down.

But I also thought Canadian Frontier, who was a crack sprinter, might've done a little better. He currently has progeny earnings of just over $180,000.

[LB]

Strong Hope, currently #43 on the 1st year sire list on a first year stud fee of $30,000. 29 runners, 8 winners, no repeat winners, no stakes horses.

[Fireslam]

I can't say Strong Hope was a disappointment to me; he didnt even run at 2. No expectations there. Smarty Jones is definitely a surprise and disappointment. Couldnt have imagined he would have done so badly.

[bdw0617]

perfect soul looks like a horrible sire. 28 starters out of 70, less than 1/4th of them won, and none of them won a second time

[merse]

perfect soul looks like a horrible sire. 28 starters out of 70, less than 1/4th of them won, and none of them won a second time

...and yet they keep his stud fee the same?

[CS]

Perfect Soul did not run until he was 4 - so no shocker that he isn't having a huge amout of 2 year old success. Frankly, he bred his best mares last year - and each consecutive year improved upon the previous - including last year. This year will most likely improve again on last year as well. Just give him time - he's been incredibly well supported and will be again in 2009.

Some interesting facts on Perfect Soul....
Below shows the CI of stallions in Perfect Soul's foal crop and the # of mares they bred. From the recent TBH Marketwatch: "It’s unusual to see a fourth-crop sire leading in any mare quality category, but we find the Darby Dan stallion Perfect Soul (IRE) with the highest CI among stallions standing for $15,000-$24,999 in 2008."

So not only does he lead his foal crop but his stud fee category as well by 2008 CI.

2006 First Foals (2008 CI) (# mares bred)

Perfect Soul (IRE)
2.91 94
Smarty Jones
2.25 92
Speightstown
2.21 117
Medaglia d'Oro
2.17 114
Pleasantly Perfect
2.16 58

$15,000-$24,999 stud fee range - all stallions

Perfect Soul (IRE)
2.91 94
Good Reward
2.28 58
Bold Executive
2.20 48
Harlan's Holiday
2.12 138
Point Given
2.10 70
Mizzen Mast
2.03 149
Unusual Heat
2.03 71
Touch Gold
1.92 100

And yes I've thrown my hat in the ring with him. I've got a coming 3 yr old Perfect Soul colt and a coming 2 yr old Perfect Soul filly. The colt has shown an amazing amount of promise - we just haven't pushed him early and I'm in no hurry to break the filly.

[bdw0617]

Perfect Soul did not run until he was 4 - so no shocker that he isn't having a huge amout of 2 year old success. Frankly, he bred his best mares last year - and each consecutive year improved upon the previous - including last year. This year will most likely improve again on last year as well. Just give him time - he's been incredibly well supported and will be again in 2009.

Some interesting facts on Perfect Soul....
Below shows the CI of stallions in Perfect Soul's foal crop and the # of mares they bred. From the recent TBH Marketwatch: "It’s unusual to see a fourth-crop sire leading in any mare quality category, but we find the Darby Dan stallion Perfect Soul (IRE) with the highest CI among stallions standing for $15,000-$24,999 in 2008."

So not only does he lead his foal crop but his stud fee category as well by 2008 CI.

2006 First Foals (2008 CI) (# mares bred)

Perfect Soul (IRE)
2.91 94
Smarty Jones
2.25 92
Speightstown
2.21 117
Medaglia d'Oro
2.17 114
Pleasantly Perfect
2.16 58

$15,000-$24,999 stud fee range - all stallions

Perfect Soul (IRE)
2.91 94
Good Reward
2.28 58
Bold Executive
2.20 48
Harlan's Holiday
2.12 138
Point Given
2.10 70
Mizzen Mast
2.03 149
Unusual Heat
2.03 71
Touch Gold
1.92 100

And yes I've thrown my hat in the ring with him. I've got a coming 3 yr old Perfect Soul colt and a coming 2 yr old Perfect Soul filly. The colt has shown an amazing amount of promise - we just haven't pushed him early and I'm in no hurry to break the filly.

you homer lol, just kidding. good luck with the filly. I did't know he didn't run utnil he was 4.

i really can't go with smarty jones becuase while he was a good 2YO, he didn't really hit stride untl he was 3.

[bfinellc]

I would say my top five (worst) are: Smarty Jones, Stong Hope, Perfect Soul, Ten Most Wanted and Spanish Steps. Ten Most Wanted only has two winners from 41 starters! Spanish Steps was much hyped in Florida and is doing ok, but not enough for me to be excited about him...especially since they jumped his fee to $10K after his first year at stud.

[bdw0617]

I would say my top five (worst) are: Smarty Jones, Stong Hope, Perfect Soul, Ten Most Wanted and Spanish Steps. Ten Most Wanted only has two winners from 41 starters! Spanish Steps was much hyped in Florida and is doing ok, but not enough for me to be excited about him...especially since they jumped his fee to $10K after his first year at stud.

spanish steps is the full brother to unbridled isn't he? he did get alot of hype. even had a 200k yearling

[LB]

spanish steps is the full brother to unbridled isn't he? he did get alot of hype. even had a 200k yearling

He's by Unbridled, and a fill brother to Unbridleds Song.

[merse]

I am still surprized that they have kept Perfect Soul's price at $15,000 and that he continues to be well supported. Why do you think that is?

It seems like American buyers don't want a horse where you have to wait on the offspring to develop beyond July of their 2yo seaon.

I thought he was the best looking stallion at Darby Dan when I visited last year.

[bdw0617]

well I actually like perfect soul, great pedgiree very good looking, and is something you don't see here too often..a decent turf pedigree. I hope he works out. I really do.

[ASB]

Fipke has been very proactive in supporting the stallion with mares and along with DD have been quite good in marketing him.

[vallygirl927]

Ten Most wanted....he did so poorly they brought him over here to California. (I'm not criticizing california, but you know there's something wrong when a stallions moves away from kentucky).

[magic code]

Action This Day, 43 starters & just 9 winners for a 2YO champ?