Leading Freshman Sire CONGRATS will stand the 2011 breeding season at Vinery in Kentucky, according to an announcement made today by majority owner John Sykes. CONGRATS has been a fixture atop the First-Crop Sire List since early August. He will be available for inspection on Thursday, November 11 at 1:00PM.
He leads Freshman sires by earnings with $1.15 million and by number of winners with 20. In addition, he ranks in the top five of all sires of 2-year-olds. Currently, CONGRATS has eight first-crop stakes horses. They include Grade 1 winner Wickedly Perfect, who won the Darley Alcibiades S.-G1 at Keeneland as well as the Sorrento S.-G3 at Del Mar; Alcibiades-G1 placed Jordy Y, and I’m Steppin’ It Up, who placed in the prestigious Champagne S.-G1.
“We are excited to be adding CONGRATS to our Kentucky roster” said Vinery President Tom Ludt. “He’s at the head of his class by winners, repeat winners, and earnings, and as Wickedly Perfect made apparent, he’s certainly capable of siring quality.”
A son of A.P. Indy out of the Mr. Prospector mare Praise, CONGRATS is a full brother to successful sire Flatter. He is from a family made famous by Paul Mellon’s Rokeby Stable which produced Kentucky Derby-G1 winner Sea Hero as well as other major winners Hero’s Honor, Blare of Trumpets, Wild Applause, etc.
