Value Sires–The 20-Somethings: The Breeders Speak

[Wandering Eyes]

In yesterday's edition of Value Sires for 2025, Chris McGrath profiled the stallions standing between $20,000 and $29,999, awarding the gold medal to Darley's Hard Spun (read more here).

Here, we asked the breeders to hand out their top picks for this category.

Carrie Brogden

Gold: Hard Spun (Danzig x Turkish Tryst, by Turkoman), Darley, $25,000
My top value sire in this bracket is Hard Spun. Even though he doesn't always throw the most commercial physical horses, if you choose your mare wisely, you can get a sales horse that is also a top racehorse which is the holy grail of commercial breeding.

Ranked 20th on the General Sires List, his numbers compared to his fee make him the best value of a stallion standing in Kentucky in this range.

Silver: Authentic (Into Mischief x Flawless, by Mr. Greeley), Spendthrift Farm, $25,000
My silver medal goes to Authentic. Finishing out seventh on the first-crop sires list and having only broken his maiden in one start himself as a 2-year-old, Authentic is stellar value. His progeny should relish two turns and excel as they mature and the distances get longer.

He was well supported all through his first and bubble years at stud. He throws a very stretchy, correct horse and had 24 first crop 2-year-old winners.

Bronze: Upstart (Flatter x Party Silks, by Touch Gold), Airdrie Stud, $25,000
With two three figure sized crops in the pipeline this stallion is poised for a big comeback after suffering through his small bubble crops. Already the sire of the physically stunning freshman, Zandon, Upstart throws a big walking, leggy strong horse.

If the results from his first-crop replicate with the bigger books and better quality mares, he will become a sire back on fire once they hit the track.

John Greathouse, III

Gold: Hard Spun (Danzig x Turkish Tryst, by Turkoman), Darley, $25,000
Hard Spun has sired 15 Grade I winners over his career. I don't think there is another stallion available at $25,000 that has done that. He's been consistent year in and year out, getting tough and hard-knocking racehorses. For my money, I think that's the best value you can find at stud.

Silver: Girvin (Tale of Ekati x Catch the Moon, by Malibu Moon), Airdrie Stud, $25,000
Girvin is a horse that could really explode over the next couple of years. His quality of mares has gone way up since moving to Kentucky and he's bred over 300 mares the last two years. He's got a Grade I winner in his first crop. There is a lot to like here and great value at $25,000.

Bronze: Army Mule (Friesan Fire x Crafty Toast, by Crafty Prospector), Hill 'n' Dale Farm, $20,000
Army Mule is another horse that I think could be very sneaky over the next couple years. He has also bred over 350 mares the last two years, and the quality has increased as well. He's proven he can produce racehorses with a Grade I winner already, and he's capable of getting you a quality sales horse. At $20,000, I think he's incredible value.

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