Three Grade 1 Winners to Bolster Regional Sire Markets

The regional markets will get an injection of grade 1 stallion potential for the 2024 breeding season with the relocations of three stallions that previously stood at Spendthrift Farm. Santa Anita Derby (G1) winner Gormley has been relocated to Red River Farms near Coushatta, La. The 9-year-old son of Malibu Moon out of the Bernstein stakes winner Race to Urga has had a stakes winner in the spotlight several times during Louisiana's most important state-bred race days. Gormley sired Bron and Brow who won this year's Louisiana Bred Premier Sprint Stakes and the Gary P. Palmisano Memorial Stakes. In 2021, he also won the Louisiana Futurity at Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots. Gormley's other stakes winners include Saratoga Special Stakes (G2) winner High Oak and Polynesian Stakes winner Benevengo. He stood this year for $5,000 Multiple grade 1 winner Mor Spirit will be standing stud at Swifty Farms in Indiana next year. The 10-year-old son of Eskendereya out of the Dixie Union stakes winner Im a Dixie Girl won the 2015 Los Alamitos Futurity (G1), was runner-up in the 2016 Santa Anita Derby (G1), and won the Metropolitan Handicap (G1) at 4. As a sire, Mor Spirit has sired five black-type performers led by Velocitor, who became a Canadian classic winner in this year's Prince of Wales Stakes at Fort Erie Racetrack. He also has sired stakes-placed winners Mor Victory, Georgees Spirit, Weslan, and Mor Lively. Mor Spirit also stood this year for $5,000. Earlier in the year, 2017 Breeders' Futurity (G1) winner and Hopeful Stakes (G1) runner-up Free Drop Billy joined the Iowa State University stallion roster. He will be standing next year for $2,500, according to ISU. "ISU has raised several foals by FDB and believe they have the conformation, speed and mind needed to be successful racehorses," posted ISU on its Facebook page. Bred by Helen Groves, Free Drop Billy is by American classic winner Union Rags and out of the grade 3-placed Giant's Causeway winner Trensa. He won or placed in six graded stakes. As a stallion, he has sired 20 winners to date with four-time stakes winner Free Drop Maddy his most successful runner so far. The now 3-year-old filly won three stakes last year, including the $150,000 Texas Thoroughbred Association Futurity. ISU also stands Anchor Down (by Tapit, $3,000), Blueblood (by City Zip, $1,500), and Timeline (by Hard Spun, $1,500).