Previously, I opined that top sire Tapit might be considered a bit of a
disappointment as a Derby stud; going back to 2012 he has had seven of his sons
run in the Derby, never hitting the trifecta, but three times completing the
super.
Further research reveals that during the last five Derbies, no stallion has had
more starters than Tapit (7). Other stallions with multiple Derby starters in the
last 5 years: Giant\'s Causeway, Curlin and Malibu Moon (4); Uncle Mo and Into
Mischief (3); Candy Ride, More Than Ready, Tiznow, Bernardini, Pioneer of the
Nile, Lucky Pulpit, Harlan\'s Holiday, Indian Charlie, War Pass, Dixie Union and
Scat Daddy (2).
All told, the 95 runners in the last five Derbies have been sired by 64 different
stallions.
Observations:
(1) The Pulpit (A.P Indy - Preach, by Mr Prospector) sire line has arguably been
the strongest Derby influence over the last 5 years. There are the seven Tapits
(Tapit sired by Pulpit), the two Lucky Pulpits (including Cal Chrome) and one
runner in 2012 sired by Pulpit himself.
(2) Malibu Moon (sire of 2013 winner Orb) (sire of Gormley) has two top 5 Derby
finishes as a stallion. (Note that Malibu Moon is bred like Pulpit, by A.P. Indy
out of a Mr. Prospector mare). Tapit has three fourth place finishers. No other
stallion has multiple top 5 placements.
(3) Into Mischief (sire of Practical Joke) has had little success with his three
Derby runners, finishing 19th in 2014 (Vicars in Trouble), and 17th and 18th in
2013 (Goldencents and Vyjack, both of whom became millionaires as milers).
Science? Hardly a large sample. False News? Don\'t get me started. Like I said, a
VERY slow afternoon at work, but just maybe some pedigree talk will draw Chuckles
out for his yearly visit.