NEWS
Mr. Sidney headed to France for stud duty
Posted: Monday, November 23, 2009 11:38 AM
Grade 1 winner Mr. Sidney will begin his stud career in 2009 at Alec Head’s Haras du Quesnay in Normandy, France.
The five-year-old Storm Cat horse out of Grade 1 winner Tomisue’s Delight, by A.P. Indy, will stand for approximately $13,300 (9,000 euros).
Lee Einsidler purchased Mr. Sidney for $3.9-million in the 2005 Keeneland September yearling sale and watched him emerge as a five-year-old for Racing Hall of Fame trainer Bill Mott.
Mr. Sidney scored over yielding turf in both the Maker’s Mark Mile Stakes (G1) on April 10 at Keeneland Race Course and Firecracker Handicap (G2) on July 4 at Churchill Downs. He finished seventh in the Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile (G1) on November 7 at Santa Anita Park in his final start.
“We weighed offers, both domestically and internationally, but we thought going to France would give Mr. Sidney the best chance for success as a stallion," Einsidler said. "[Mott] has known Alec Head for many years and has trained for him. That relationship gave us a degree of comfort, as did the recommendation of Bill, who was really responsible for the horse's success."
Mr. Sidney, who also finished third in the Shadwell Turf Mile Stakes (G1) at Keeneland, registered five wins in 13 starts and earned $486,875. His dam is a full sister to 2003 Horse of the Year Mineshaft as they are both out of ‘03 Broodmare of the Year Prospectors Delite, a multiple Grade 1 winner by Mr. Prospector.
"I think that Mr. Sidney will cross well with the European mares," Head said. "He is a very well-made horse, by stallion of the century Storm Cat, who has been successful all around the world. His dam is a winner of two Grade 1s, his granddam is also a multiple Grade 1 winner, which already is rare. When you go back in his pedigree, you have Storm Cat, A.P. Indy and Mr. Prospector, three of the best."
