Get ready for a Breeders' Cup like no other, as the stakes are higher than ever for Coolmore America's Ashford Stud. This year, the excitement isn’t just about the races—it’s about the future of stallion breeding. Three of their newest stallion prospects are set to make their final career starts, and the anticipation is palpable. But here's where it gets controversial: how will their performances shape their stud fees, and what does this mean for the breeding industry?
Among the stars of Ashford’s lineup are Sierra Leone and Fierceness, two fierce competitors who finished 1-2 in last year’s $7 million Breeders' Cup Classic (G1). Sierra Leone, a 4-year-old son of the renowned sire Gun Runner, edged out Fierceness in the stretch to claim victory by 1 1/2 lengths. Both return this year in peak form. Sierra Leone boasts a win in the Whitney Stakes (G1) and strong runner-up finishes in the Stephen Foster Stakes (G1) and Jockey Club Gold Cup Stakes (G1). Fierceness, a 4-year-old son of City of Light, enters the Breeders' Cup fresh off a win in the Pacific Classic Stakes (G1), along with earlier victories in the Alysheba Stakes (G2) and a second-place finish in the Metropolitan Handicap (G1).
But here’s the part most people miss: these aren’t just any horses—they’re the future of stallion breeding, and their performances will directly impact their value in the stud market. Coolmore America’s director of sales, Charlie O’Connor, aptly sums it up: ‘With the three new stallion prospects set to retire for 2026 all lining up at the Breeders' Cup, there is a great sense of anticipation here.’
Joining them in the Classic is Journalism, a 3-year-old son of Curlin, who has already made a name for himself with wins in the Preakness Stakes (G1) and Haskell Stakes (G1), and runner-up finishes in the Kentucky Derby (G1) and Belmont Stakes (G1). Journalism, too, will stand at Ashford once his racing days are over, though a decision on whether he’ll continue racing at 4 will be made post-Breeders' Cup in consultation with Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners’ Aron Wellman and other partners.
And this is where it gets even more intriguing: Ashford’s Citizen Bull, a 3-year-old son of the prolific sire Into Mischief, is also in the spotlight. The 2024 champion 2-year-old male has already secured wins in the Robert B. Lewis Stakes (G3) and Shared Belief Stakes, dominating the latter by 5 1/2 lengths at Del Mar—the very track hosting this year’s Breeders' Cup from Oct. 31 to Nov. 1.
Ashford is holding off on setting stud fees for these three until after the Breeders' Cup, but in the meantime, 2018 Triple Crown winner Justify remains at the top of their roster at $200,000. The 10-year-old son of Scat Daddy is a top 10 sire with over $12 million in progeny earnings and five graded/group winners. His standout runners this year include Ruling Court, winner of the Two Thousand Guineas (G1), and Scandinavia, who took the St Leger Stakes (G1).
Here’s a bold statement: Ashford’s new stallion prospects aren’t just following in the footsteps of legends like Thunder Gulch, Uncle Mo, and American Pharoah—they’re poised to redefine the breeding landscape. O’Connor notes, ‘All three new horses are Eclipse Award winners, and with Ruling Court and Scandinavia adding to City of Troy’s Epsom Derby triumph in 2024, we’re seeing a new era of excellence.’
Ashford is also celebrating the strong market reception for the first-crop yearlings of Corniche, Epicenter, Jack Christopher, and Golden Pal. After Books 1 and 2 of the Keeneland September Yearling Sale, Corniche boasted the second-highest average in his class at $526,667, just behind leading first-crop sire Flightline. Overall, Corniche averaged $203,651, with Golden Pal, Epicenter, and Jack Christopher also ranking among the top 10 first-crop yearling sires by average.
But here’s a question to ponder: With American Pharoah heading to Japan and Mendelssohn staying in Chile, where does that leave Ashford’s global breeding strategy? And how will the performances of Sierra Leone, Fierceness, and Journalism influence the broader market?
Ashford’s 2026 stud fees reflect a mix of established sires and emerging talent, with Justify leading the pack at $200,000. New additions like Citizen Bull, Fierceness, and Sierra Leone have fees yet to be announced, while others like Golden Pal and Epicenter see adjustments based on market demand. What do you think? Are these fees justified, or is Ashford overestimating their new prospects? Let us know in the comments—this is one discussion you won’t want to miss!
