by Elaine Belval
WTC identifies Quality Chefs as those stallions that transmit superior racing class and are dominant influences in pedigrees. We constantly review pedigrees and sires to update the list. Below is a brief introduction to the eight stallions we feel merit Quality Chef status and are now identified by a “Q” in all Werk Thoroughbred Consultants and eNicks pedigrees.
Dansili – He is a Juddmonte Farms homebred and standing at their English branch, Banstead Manor Stud. Dansili is quickly proving to be the best son of Danehill at stud in Europe. Dansili won or placed in 12 of 14 starts, including a victory in the G2 Prix du Muguet, a second in the G1 Poule d’Essai des Poulains (French 2000 Guineas), and a fast-closing third in the G1 Breeders’ Cup Mile. He had his first runners in 2002 and with 10 crops, has over 70 SWs. He has 13 G1 winners including Rail Link (Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe), US G1 winners Price Tag and Provisio and 2012 G1 winners Fallen for You (at Royal Ascot), Fiofra (at Newmarket) and The Fugue (at the Glorious Goodwood meeting). Dansili has sired two sons with SWs already (Strategic Prince, the sire of a G1 winner) and Rail Link (two Group winners), and his daughters have produced three SWs (including Group winner Tell Dad).
Distorted Humor – This son of Forty Niner standing at WinStar Farm in Kentucky is one of the best stallions currently at stud in the US. Distorted Humor won or placed in 16 of 23 starts, with a track record-setting win in the G2 Churchill Downs H. and a placing in the G1 Cigar Mile. His first crop had four two-year-old SWs and included 2003 Champion and Kentucky Derby winner Funny Cide. Distorted Humor went on to sire 12 SWs from that first crop (18% SWs to foals), and the SWs have not let up since. Among his 14 G1 winners are Drosselmeyer (G1 Breeders’ Cup Classic), Pathfork (G1 National S. in Ireland), Flower Alley (G1 Travers S.), and Hystericalady (G1 Humana Distaff). His son Flower Alley has sired 2012 Kentucky Derby winner I’ll Have Another, while Distorted Humor’s daughters have already produced 14 SWs.
Elusive Quality – His sire Gone West had a remarkable run as a “sire of sires” and Elusive Quality has staked a claim as one of his best sons standing in the US. Though Elusive Quality stands at Darley Stud in Kentucky, he has sired G1 winners worldwide. Among his nine G1 winners are Champion and Kentucky Derby winner Smarty Jones, English Champion and Breeders’ Cup Classic winner Raven’s Pass, and Australian two-year-old champion Sepoy. Elusive Quality also has several sons at stud, including leading French sire Elusive City and 2012 freshman sire Raven’s Pass. His daughters have produced two 2012 SWs (both two-year-olds).
Indian Charlie – Indian Charlie was only 16 when he died of cancer last year in Kentucky. It was a sad blow, as his best-bred progeny are two-year-olds of 2012. He started at a modest $10,000 fee when he retired after four wins from five lifetime starts, and never sired a huge number of foals but in his first crop (numbering 80), his seven SWs included G1 winner Pampered Princess. Indian Charlie sired five G1 winners, including Champions Indian Blessing, Fleet Indian, and Uncle Mo. Daughters of Indian Charlie have produced eight SWs so far, including two in 2012.
Maria’s Mon – Champion two-year-old Maria’s Mon did his best to revive the Majestic Prince branch of Raise a Native. Unfortunately, like Indian Charlie, Maria’s Mon died prematurely, at 14 at Pin Oak Stud in Kentucky. And again like Indian Charlie, his loss came just as his best-bred crops were coming to the races. That didn’t stop Maria’s Mon from siring a Kentucky Derby winner early, in his first crop (one of nine SWs from that breeding season). He also got the Champion turf female Wait a While among his eight G1 winners. Maria’s Mon has several sons at stud, including Monarchos – the sire of Champion and Breeders’ Cup winner Informed Decision. Daughters of Maria’s Mon have produced almost 20 SWs, including GSW Caracortado.
Night Shift – Night Shift is not considered one of Northern Dancer’s best racing sons, being a modest winner of one race in seven starts. But, as a full brother to Champion Fanfreluche and SW Barachois, he was one of his better bred sons. Despite his modest race record, Night Shift was a solid and consistent sire for Coolmore Stud before being pensioned at 28 in 2008. Night Shift sired nine G1 winners and almost 100 SWs in his lifetime. His best runners include Champion Azamour and the US Grade 1 winners Listening and Creaking Board. Night Shift has several descendants at stud, including Azamour (sire of 2012 G1 winner Valyra) and grandson Turtle Bowl, the sire of G1 winners French Fifteen and 2012 French Poule d’Essai des Poulains (2000 Guineas) winner Lucayan. Daughters of Night Shift have produced almost 100 SWs, including G1 winners Daryakana and Beaded.
Oasis Dream – Oasis Dream is the youngest sire in this group. Like Dansili, he is a Juddmonte Farms homebred and stands at their English base Banstead Manor Stud. Champion sprinter, Oasis Dream won or placed in seven of nine starts. He had his first runners in 2005 and already has over 60 SWs including nine G1 winners (six-time G1 winner Midday and 2012 Irish 2012 Guineas winner Power among them), siring a lot of class from relatively few crops of racing age.
Street Cry – Street Cry is one of the few sons of the high-class Mr. Prospector sire Machiavellian to race in the US. Street Cry did his sire proud, as he won or placed in all 12 of his starts, including victories in the G1Â Dubai World Cup and the G1 Stephen Foster. Like other sires on this list, Street Cry produced a Champion as a freshman sire in the form of Kentucky Derby winner Street Sense. He had 16 SWs from that first crop of 85 foals (19% SWs). Of course, by the time Street Sense retired, his sire’s best runner, future Horse of the Year Zenyatta, was making her first start. Street Cry has 13 G1 winners (which is almost 20% of his total of stakes winners). Along with Street Sense and Zenyatta, Street Cry sired two Champions in Australia. His daughters have produced two 2012 SWs. Street Sense has his first crop of three-year-olds racing in 2012, and Street Cry’s leading sprinter son Street Boss is one of the leading freshman sires of 2012.