Coolmore America Unveils 2021 Stallion Roster

Highlighted by a $175,000 stud fee for Uncle Mo, currently the second-leading sire by Northern Hemisphere earnings in 2020, Coolmore America announced Oct. 23 a 16-horse stallion roster for the 2021 breeding season. Fourteen stud fees were announced, with prices to be determined upon their retirement for grade 1 winners Echo Town and Maximum Security. Echo Town and Maximum Security are potential Breeders' Cup starters in the Sprint (G1) and Longines Classic (G1), both Nov. 7 at Keeneland. Not included on the Ashford roster for 2021 is Fusaichi Pegasus, the champion 3-year-old and Kentucky Derby (G1) winner in 2000 who last stood for a $7,500 fee in 2020. Ashford's director of sales, Charlie O'Connor, said the 23-year-old son of Mr. Prospector is healthy and will remain at Ashford. Fusaichi Pegasus has been represented by 76 black-type winners in the Northern and Southern Hemispheres and six champions, with progeny earnings in excess of $109 million. Among his top U.S. runners were grade 2 winner International Star and grade 1 winner Champ Pegasus. Also new to the Coolmore America lineup is Caravaggio, who relocates to Kentucky from Coolmore's headquarters in Ireland and will stand for $25,000. The group 1-winning turf sprinter returns to the home of his late sire, Scat Daddy. He stood his first two seasons overseas for €35,000 (US$41,400) before it increased to €40,000 (US$47,310) this year. Amid a challenging worldwide economy because of COVID-19, stud fees dropped for nine stallions who stood at Coolmore America in 2020, including 2015 Triple Crown winner American Pharoah, who went from $175,000 to $100,000. The stallions are based at Ashford Stud in Versailles, Ky. "Our established sires have enjoyed great success on the racetrack this year, but in recognition of the challenging times we find ourselves in, we have reduced the fees of all of our sires yet to have runners with the one exception of Mendelssohn, who we have probably underpriced all along," O'Connor said. "We have three exciting new additions to our roster, and we look forward to watching Echo Town and Maximum Security continue to show their brilliance on the racecourse before they retire."