Introducing the first-crop sires series for 2023
Omaha Beach, shown winning the 2019 Arkansas Derby (G1), is among the hot freshman sires (Coady Photography/Oaklawn Park)
August 17th, 2023
The TwinSpires freshman sire series is back! Over the past couple of years, our writers have followed such hot young stallions as Gun Runner, Justify, and Good Magic when their first crops started racing as two-year-olds.
The past two Kentucky Derby (G1) winners were by first-crop sires. Rich Strike was mentioned in the 2021 series including his sire, Keen Ice, before anyone imagined he’d spring an 80-1 surprise in the 2022 Derby. Good Magic followed up by siring 2023 Derby hero Mage in his first crop.
This season, there’s a new batch of sires on the scene. Our team is profiling five prominent stallions making a splash with their juveniles. We might see potential Breeders’ Cup contenders as well as hopefuls for the 150th Kentucky Derby and Kentucky Oaks (G1)!
The jury is still out on Keen Ice's first crop, but the results haven’t been bad given his progeny will probably be better suited as three-year-olds.#AlastairBull looks at Keen Ice's first crop ⤵️ https://t.co/u3on9YsYyw
— TwinSpires Racing 🏇 (@TwinSpires) December 13, 2021
Here are the five freshmen of 2023 that TwinSpires Edge will be covering:
Maximus Mischief, by leading sire Into Mischief, is currently at the top of the first-crop sires’ list as the series begins. An unbeaten two-year-old himself, Maximus Mischief scored his signature win in the 2018 Remsen (G2).
Flameaway has come out on fire as well, with recent Sorrento (G3) winner Dreamfyre making headlines. By Scat Daddy, the same sire as Justify, Flameaway was a multi-surface campaigner who captured the 2018 Sam F. Davis (G3) and competed in the Kentucky Derby.
Undefeated 2yo filly LET THEM WATCH becomes the second stakes winner for No. 1 First-Crop Sire MAXIMUS MISCHIEF, with a dominant victory as the heavy favorite in the Sharp Susan Stakes at @GulfstreamPark! ⚔️ 🔥 https://t.co/6YnHaRNQPn
— Spendthrift Farm (@spendthriftfarm) August 13, 2023
Omaha Beach, a multiple Grade 1-winning son of War Front and grandson of blue hen Take Charge Lady, is one of the most anticipated members of the class. Scratched as the 2019 Kentucky Derby favorite, but ending on a high note in the Malibu (G1), he has Saratoga debut stars Pirate and Alys Beach on the radar.
Champion sprinter Mitole, a half-brother to $5.6 million-earner Hot Rod Charlie, excelled as an older horse. So it’s encouraging that Mitole is already coming up with notable juveniles.
Vino Rosso, the champion older dirt male after dominating the 2019 Breeders’ Cup Classic (G1), likewise is getting better two-year-olds than might have been expected. He’ll try to become the next sire sensation by Hall of Famer Curlin.
Watch for upcoming installments introducing each sire, and updates on their latest progeny successes!
