NEWS
Veteran Maryland sire Two Punch dies at 28
Posted: Monday, June 27, 2011 11:30 AM
TWO PUNCH
courtesy Northview Stallion Station
by Ed DeRosa
Two Punch, one of the oldest sons of Mr. Prospector to cover mares this year and a prolific progenitor for the Maryland breeding program, was euthanized on Saturday because of the infirmities of old age.
The 28-year-old stakes winner, who had sired 54 stakes winners through Sunday, covered 21 mares in his final season at Northview Stallion Station in Chesapeake City, Maryland, where he stood his entire stallion career.
“Two Punch had been an integral part of Northview Stallion Station since we opened our doors,” said Richard Golden, Northview Stallion Station co-owner and managing partner. “He sired an Eclipse Award winner, has become an excellent broodmare sire, and has had an auction record that was the best in the region. And he remained popular to the end.”
After winning four of eight starts, including the Bachelor Stakes, for owner Ross Valley Farms and Racing Hall of Fame trainer Woody Stephens, Two Punch retired to Northview for the 1987 season and stood for an advertised fee of $5,000. He quickly ascended to the top ranks of the Bay State’s breeding program as the sire of champion Grade 1 winner and Central Kentucky sire Smoke Glacken, Grade 1 winner Taking Risks, 11-time stakes winner Punch Line, Florida stallion Marciano, Louisiana stallion Two Punch Sonny, Illinois stallion Aristotle, and the late sire Ponche.
Eleanor Ryan bred Two Punch in Kentucky out of the champion and multiple Grade 1 winner Heavenly Cause, by *Grey Dawn II. A filly by Two Punch, Bronze Abe, went on to win a race named for his sire’s dam, the Heavenly Cause Stakes in 2001 at Laurel Park. Bronze Abe went on to produce one of 31 stakes winners out of Two Punch mares with the most distinguished being two-time Grade 1 winner Shine Again and two-time champion steeplechase horse Good Night Shirt.
Through Sunday, Two Punch was the sire of 658 winners from 854 starters who earned $49,185,159. His final crops include 38 two-year-olds and 33 yearlings. He covered 57 mares in 2010, and 16 of the 21 mares he covered this year have been reported in foal. He was buried at Northview.
READER COMMENTS
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Posted by: Dale, Red Bank, NJ on July 02, 2011 at 07:23 AM
Who shot this YouTube video? Has to be several years old because Northview hasn't had a tent up for the last few Open Houses. Maybe it was plucked off the Internet?
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Posted by: KS, LA, CA on June 29, 2011 at 11:31 AM
Nobody finds it worth noting that this horse was just 28 and sound enough in skeleton, hoof, and vascular system to successfully cover mares, yet is put down at the end of breeding season for the vague claim of "infirmities"?
Look at his stats - he covered 51 mares last year, and just 21 this year. Hm. Looks like a retirement package with health care benefits just wasn't in his contract.
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Posted by: Hot Scot, Fort Lauderdale, FL on June 28, 2011 at 11:30 PM
A wonderful horse and still covering at 28 , that's amazing. Rest in Peace , old fella , you deserve it.
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Posted by: Betty, Fortuna, CA on June 27, 2011 at 04:05 PM
What an awesome stallion!!!and a record to be envied for sure--this is the definition,in action, of responsible ownership--or better yet what a wonderful way to be owned by a horse--RIP beautiful one.
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Posted by: Kathy, San Diego, CA on June 27, 2011 at 02:49 PM
RIP TWO PUNCH! You were a handsome lad.
;)
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