Candy Ride Atop Sire Rankings as Dubai’s Influence Felt
The magnitude of racing over the past two-plus weeks resulted in a significant shake-up among the rankings of the top sires by progeny earnings. Since April 5, Meydan Race Course, Aqueduct Racetrack, Santa Anita Park, and Keeneland—the latter delayed because of weather—ran grade 1 stakes that threw The List into disarray. Almost one-third of the sires ranked are either new to the top 25 or moved at least five places up or down.
The Dubai World Cup (G1), as usual, delivered the most volatility. Not that it should come as a surprise when there is a $12 million purse involved.
Last year, Senor Buscador ‘s triumph in the Middle East sent Mineshaft to the top of the General Sires List for North America. Top-three efforts by Senor Buscador in the Pegasus World Cup Invitational Stakes (G1), Saudi Cup (G1), and Dubai World Cup had a lot to do with Mineshaft finishing 2024 third by progeny earnings.
This year, it is Hit Show ‘s win April 5 at Meydan that catapulted his sire Candy Ride to the top of The List. With his offspring earning $2.2 million more than Into Mischief ‘s, Candy Ride should be able to hang onto the top spot at least until the Kentucky Derby (G1). Candy Ride was 36th in progeny earnings last year.
The 5-year-old Hit Show has been a consistent graded stakes performer since his 3-year-old campaign. In the 14 graded stakes he’s run, he has nine top-four finishes.
His sire, Candy Ride, had another graded stakes-placed runner recently. His 3-year-old daughter Deloraine finished third in the April 5 Gazelle Stakes (G3). Combined with a third in the Florida Oaks (G3), the Godolphin homebred currently sits 21st on the Road to the Kentucky Oaks leaderboard.
Candy Ride, who entered stud in 2005, stands at Lane’s End near Versailles, Ky., for $75,000 this year.
The Dubai World Cup also contributed to Good Magic ‘s return to the rankings. Seventeenth a year ago, Good Magic jumped from outside the top 25 to sixth as his son Mixto finished second at Meydan.
Also new to the rankings this week is Maximus Mischief , whose son Raging Torrent won the Godolphin Mile (G2) at Meydan Saturday. Adding to his weekend success was 4-year-old filly Irish Maxima , who led nearly the entire race to take the Distaff Stakes (G3) at Aqueduct.
The biggest mover this week from those who were in the top 25 two-plus weeks ago is Liam’s Map . Climbing nine spots from No. 21 to No. 12 in large part to Burnham Square eking out the Blue Grass Stakes (G1) by a nose April 8 at Keeneland.
| TOP SIRES BY PROGENY EARNINGS | |
| April 9 ranking | March 24 ranking |
| 1. Candy Ride (ARG) | NR |
| 2. Into Mischief | 1(-1) |
| 3. Gun Runner | 2 (-1) |
| 4. Vekoma | 4 (–) |
| 5. Practical Joke | 3 (-2) |
| 6. Good Magic | NR |
| 7. Constitution | 6 (-1) |
| 8. Munnings | 7 (-1) |
| 9. Not This Time | 5 (-4) |
| 10. Nyquist | 12 (+2) |
| 11. Medaglia d’Oro | 11 (–) |
| 12. Liam’s Map | 21 (+9) |
| 13. Quality Road | 8 (-5) |
| 14. American Pharoah | 16 (+2) |
| 15. Curlin | 18 (+3) |
| 16. Uncle Mo | 13 (-3) |
| 17. Mendelssohn | 15 (-2) |
| 18. Speightster | 9 (-9) |
| 19. Justify | 14 (-5) |
| 20. City of Light | 17 (-3) |
| 21. Connect | 10 (-11) |
| 22. Malibu Moon | 23 (+1) |
| 23. Maximus Mischief | NR |
| 24. Speightstown | 20 (-4) |
| 25. Twirling Candy | 22 (-3) |
