In yesterday's edition of Value Sires for 2025, Chris McGrath profiled the stallions standing between $10,001 and $19,999, awarding the gold medal to trusty Darley stalwart Midshipman (read more here). Here, we asked the breeders to hand out their top picks for this category.
ANDREW CARY
GOLD: Volatile (Violence – Meloday Lady, by Unbridled's Song) Three Chimneys Farm, $12,500
The brilliantly fast and talented son of Violence is off to a very promising start at stud, already with 24 first crop winners, six stakes horses (two Grade I placed) and three TDN Rising Stars. Volatile looks set to follow in his father's footsteps, capable of siring stakes horses and lucrative sales yearlings.
SILVER: Cairo Prince (Pioneerof the Nile – Holy Bubbette, by Holy Bull) Airdrie Stud, $15,000
The veteran son of Pioneerof the Nile continues to churn out winners and stakes horses year in and year out. A consistent top 30 sire for $15,000 is impressive, especially for one that throws the consistency and versatility that Cairo Prince throws. He has sired 12 individual stakes winners and 18 stakes horses this year, led by Grade III winner Honey Pants.
BRONZE: Thousand Words (Pioneerof the Nile – Pomeroys Pistol, by Pomeroy) Spendthrift Farm, $12,500
Another son of Pioneerof the Nile, Thousand Words has exceeded expectations with his first crop this year, currently sitting in the top five on freshman sire rankings by progeny earnings. He has sired three individual stakes winners, including the hard-knocking fillies The Queens M G and Vodka With a Twist, the latter a game runner-up in the GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies to champion Immersive (Nyquist).
ADRIAN REGAN
GOLD: Midshipman (Unbridled's Song – Fleet Lady, by Avenue of Flags) Darley, $15,000
My gold choice would Midshipman. For me he gets solid results on the track every year and always seems to be well received at the sales as a result.
SILVER: Corniche (Quality Road – Wasted Tears, by Najran) Ashford Stud, $15,000
My silver choice would Corniche. I don't know why but they surprised me at the sales a little bit. He seems to be getting a very consistent type of horse and considering how good a 2-year-old he was, it would not surprise me at all if his first-crop 2-year-oolds are successful.
BRONZE: Mandaloun (Into Mischief – Brooch, Empire Maker) Juddmonte Farms, $15,000
My bronze choice would be Mandaloun. The ones that we have had so far all were very easy to deal with and just seem to have a bit quality about them. At the end of the day he is a Kentucky Derby winner, a son of Into Mischief and out of a very good Empire Maker mare. I think he's definitely worth a shot at the price.
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