We’ve taken a look at some of the top sires from over the last decade or so of jumping stars. Their stats, attributes and some of their past masters produced and of course, some interesting horses currently in training who you should be following this season.
Top 10 NH sires (since start of 2009)
BENEFICIAL – 654/6189 – 11% S/R
Best ground: Good to Firm/Firm – 83/659 | 13% S/R
Best trip: 3m – 3m2f – 104/862 | 12% S/R
Beneficial died this year at the age of 23, leaving a considerable gap in the Irish stallions roster. He has been hugely successful in his production of top quality jumping stock. Known for their versatility and stamina, he has produced many winners at the top level and the like of Bennefficient, Monksland and Mount Benbulben are top class prospects who will ensure his fire burns brightly in the years next few years to come.
OSCAR – 624/5907 – 11% S/R
Best ground: Good to Soft – 125/997 | 12% S/R
Best trip: 2m – 176/1648 – 11% S/R
By Saddlers Wells – a super-sire of sires, Oscar has produced multiple champions and Grade 1 winners over the jumps, including Big Zeb, Rock On Ruby and Oscar Whiskey. He only raced four times, but this included a 2nd to Peintre Celebre in the Prix Du Jockey Club at Chantilly.
He has any number of top notch youngsters coming through the ranks, but two you’d really like to keep on side with a view to Cheltenham in March are Felix Yonger, who looks a star in the making over fences for Willie Mullins, and At Fishers Cross, who for all his jumping frailties, remains the one to beat in the World Hurdle.
PRESENTING – 624/6177 – 10%
Best ground: Good to Firm – 90/726 | 12% S/R
Best trip: 2m5f – 54/407 | 13% S/R
Owned and bred by George Strawbridge, Presenting was a top 2yo and finished his season unbeaten in 1995 when trained by John Gosden. He has sired two Gold Cup winners in recent years in the shape of outstanding chaser Denman and the highly talented dual-festival winner War Of Attrition. Grand National winner Ballabriggs also features on his long roll of honour.
Horses to watch out for this season include RSA possibles Ballycasey and Bright New Dawn, both of whom have the makings of top class horses over fences having won their early chase races in impressive fashion this season.
KINGS THEATRE – 595/3952 – 15% S/R
Best ground: Good/Good to Soft – 323/2055 | 16% S/R
Best trip: 2m5f – 54/270 | 20% S/R
Another of Saddler’s Wells’ offspring, King’s Theatre was a top class flat horse, winning the King George and the Racing Post Trophy as the best wins of his five in nineteen starts; acquiring Timeform ratings of 117 at 2yo and 128 at 3yo. Cheltenham Festival winners Menorah, Riverside Theatre and Witchita Lineman are all attributed to the sire, who has produced any amount of top quality stock.
Among his current in-training crop are none other than recent Betfair Chase Cue Card and the favourite for the Champion Hurdle – The New One.
A dark horse to follow this season by King’s Theatre could be Mendip Express, who caught the eye on his rules chasing debut recently and looks the ideal sort for something like the 4m National Hunt novices’ chase in March.
OLD VIC – 485/3932 – 12% S/R
Best ground: Soft – 154/1199 | 13% S/R
Best trip: 3m1f & 3m2f – 39/202 | 19% S/R
1989 horse of the year, Old Vic was a classy and gritty middle-distance specialist who won the Irish and French Derbys and incredibly he’s another of the top performing NH sires who is by Saddler’s Wells. The legendary Kicking King is arguably the best horse Old Vic produced, as an Arkle, King George and Gold Cup winner. But Grand National winner Dont Push It and the Martin Pipe trained Our Vic are other flagship offspring.
Two horses worth following by Old Vic this season are Colour Squadron, who looks capable of landing a big handicap pot over fences, and the highly promising Charlie Longsdon trained novice chaser Pendra, who should take high rank this season for JP McManus and the yard.
MILAN – 436/3311 – 13% S/R
Best ground: Good – 136/950 | 14% S/R
Best trip: 3m1f & 3m2f – 20/96 | 21% S/R
Milan was a sturdy, middle-distance stayer whose best moment came in winning the 2001 St Leger by 5L lengths under Mick Kinane for trainer Aiden O’Brien. He is a highly in demand sire who generally produces moderate-smart performers – but, there are a few high class exceptions. The tragically stricken Darlan looked destined for greatness before being put down following a fall last season. Jezki is 9/1 for the Champion Hurdle in March and is a son of Milan who is very talented indeed. A definite horse to follow by Milan this season is Noel Meade’s high-class novice Apache Stronghold, who looked every inch a star last time out and runs at Navan this weekend. Another to note is Alan King’s Raya Star, who will continue to be one to keep on side in 2m chases following a good start over the larger obstacles.
KAYF TARA – 324/2750 – 12% S/R
Best ground: Heavy – 41/310 | 13% S/R
Best trip: 2m4f – 62/465 | 13% S/R
Kayf Tara was an outstanding stayer, winning the Yorkshire Cup, the Irish St Leger and the Ascot Gold Cup amongst his 10 wins from 15 turf starts. He is known for producing strong staying types over jumps, many of whom will be described as lazy workers at home on the gallops. But that does not detract from his ability to instil plenty of quality. Hennessy winner Carruthers and festival winner Alfie Sherrin are among many classy individuals who have flown his flag in recent years, also including Mad Max and Planet Of Sound.
Currently, we think [Special Tiara]() is worth keeping mind mind for quality 2m-2m4f chases when the ground is good. Also, Cantlow and Magnifique Etoile are capable of bagging some good prizes and can be considered very much “Saturday horses”.
BOB BACK – 315/2492 – 13% S/R
Best ground: Heavy – 51/379 | 13% S/R
Best trip: 2m7f & 3m – 54/348 | 16% S/R
Bob Back was a high class American performer over middle-distances who died at the age of 30 a couple of years ago, but his line will continue to have an impact for sure and is laden with dual-purpose types. Gold Cup winner Bobs Worth is perhaps his leading light over jumps and remains a hugely influential chaser. Other previous high class horses include Back In Front and Burton Port. Along with Bobs Worth, Dedigout is a classy prospect for Giggingstown who will represent his sire in Graded company for seasons to come.
ANSHAN – 298/2830 – 11% S/R
Best ground: Good to Firm – 60/413 | 15% S/R
Best trip: 2m1f – 27/188 | 14% S/R
Anshan was a smart but unremarkable flat horse over a mile, but has produced some outstanding jumping stock, including Asian Maze. He died in 2005, so his line of youngsters is unfortunately coming to an end, but there are still many good performers winning races in his name. One to note could be Perfect Smile trained by Noel Meade. Highly regarded but often frustrating, he could begin to find his feet in the latter stages of his career.
ALFLORA – 268/2896 – 9% S/R
Best ground: Soft – 70/666 | 11% S/R
Best trip: 2m5f – 23/219 | 11% S/R
Alflora was a talented and highly tried flat horses trained by Clive Brittain, who tends to sire horses who need plenty of time to mature and grow into racehorses. He has sired top notch jumpers like Central House, What A Friend and Amaretto Rose – the key point of note being that his stock are versatile and varying in their talents.
Wishful Thinking is still in training and following a promising run over 3m at Aintree recently, he could find a new lease of life over staying trips this season in the latter stages of his career.