First crop stallions: The trotters

Every spring, harness racing trainers converse, hope, and dream about their prospective 2-year-olds in training—much in the same way breeders ponder about their stallion’s first crop of youngsters. What follows is an examination of the stallions who are first crop sires—with statistics garnered from the US Trotting Association—and some of the mares they were bred to.

This list is made up of stallions of both gaits, with 30 or more eligible 2-year-olds in 2024. The stallion’s name is found in bold red, all caps, underlined, with the mares’ and progeny names in bold, upper- and lower-case text.

THE TROTTERS

GREEN MANALISHI S, 3, 1;50.3 ($1,182,017) is son of top sire Muscle Hill, out of the Swedish-bred Enjoy Lavec mare Naga Morich S ($14,193). Green Manalishi S serviced 139 mares in 2021; 164 in 2022; and 119 in 2023—all from his home base in Ontario at Tara Hills Stud, where he stands for a fee of $7,500. He has produced a total of 90 freshmen trotters for the 2024 season.

Angel Eyes Hanover, a daughter of Cantab Hall-Angelina Hall (unraced)-Striking Sahbra, has already foaled two top trotters; the 2018 Chapter Seven colt Ambassador Hanover 3, 1:51.2 ($744,816) and the 202 Trixton filly Saint Trixie 2, 1:55.3 ($141,342), among others. Her 2-year-old filly by Green Manalishi S is Ibelieveinangels.

Keepsake Hanover 2, 1:58f ($54,315), is another daughter by Cantab Hall, out of a Striking Sahbra mare, the broodmare Kimmie Hall 2, 2:00.3 ($2,000). Keepsake Hanover has produced Lindsey’s Pride (by Credit Winner) 6, 1:54f ($553,895) and Big Weezy (by Trixon) 3, 1:57.3h ($129,542) and Keepthetab Hanover (by Bar Hopping) 3, 1:56f ($84,917), among others. She has two foals to date by Green Manalishi S—the 2-year-old filly Kellygreen Hanover and the yearling filly Kennedy Hanover.

Mallelujah 3, Q:2:01.2f ($2,400), a daughter of Malabar Man, out of the Valley Victory mare Victory Girl 2, Q2:02.4f, has been a prolific producer, with 13 foals to date, including the 2-year-old Green Manalishi S colt Dagrassaintgreener. Mallelujah’s top foals include Kathy Parker (by Andover Hall) 2, 1:56.1 ($372,268); Reigulous (by Muscles Yankee) 3, 1:55.3 ($128,926); Yankee Gospel (by Muscles Yankee) 4, 1:58f ($103,168) and Masculine Hill (by What The Hill) 3, 1:55.1h ($107,921), etc.

DON’T LET’EM 3, 1:50.2 ($605,083) is a 2016 son of Muscle Hill, out of the Angus Hall mare Passageway 2, 2:01f ($5,910), who has 78 freshmen trotters looking to make their career debuts in 2024, his fourth year standing at Ivy Lane Farm in Goshen, Indiana, for a fee of $3,500. Don’t Let’em bred 132 mares in 2021; 121 in 2022; and 67 in 2023, with a total of 146 registered foals (76 colts and 70 fillies), 61 of which were sold at public auction.

Barmaid 3, 2:00.4f ($34,617) is a daughter by Cantab Hall, out of the Sir Taurus mare Martini Time 3, 1:57.4s ($52,369) with nine foals to date, including two by Don’t Let’em—the 2-year-old filly Better Take’em and the yearling colt Barlletta. Barmaid’s other top foals include Martini Show (by Swan For All) 3, 1:53.4s ($309,176); Swan’s Maid (by Swan For All) 4, 1:55.1f ($133,778); and Collettes (by Guccio) 4, 1:55.3s ($118,132), etc.

Custom Model 3, 1:56.2f ($67,185), a daughter of Taglibue, out of the unraced Muscles Yankee mare Custom Yankee, is best known as the dam of world champion Custom Cantab (by Mr Cantab) 4, 1:52f ($1,031,193), who herself has a 2022 colt by Muscle Hill and a 2023 colt by Swan For All. Her 2-year-old filly by Don’t Let’em has been christened Brandyurfinegirl.

Northern Daisy 3, Q2:02.4s, is an Andover Hall broodmare, out of the King Conch mare LR Alleys Concern 2, 1:58.4s ($142,963), with five foals of racing age—all of whom have taken records—including Herbies Wildflower (by Here Comes Herbie) 3, 1:55.1f ($189,063); Guida’s Geisha (by Guida Muscle) 5, Q 1:56.4h ($120,344); and Pink Tulip (by Guccio) 3, 1:56s ($104,707), etc. Her Don’t Let’em foals include the 2-year-old colt Lets Go North and the yearling colt Don’t Let’em Bert.

MARSEILLE 3, 1:51.f ($516,791) is a son of Muscle Hill out of the Cantab Hall mare Order By Wish 2, 1:56.3f ($35,469) who has 64 freshman trotters coming of age in 2024. Standing at Sugar Valley Farm in Delaware, Ohio for a fee of $3,000 Marseille bred 113 mares in 2021, 47 in 2022; and 32 in 2023, for a total of 94 registered foals (47 colts and 47 fillies).

Callmepinkalicious 2, 2:02.1 ($16,590) is a daughter of Donato Hanover out of the Yankee Glide mare Ticket to Glide 3, 1:55.3 ($498,063) and has proven to be a worthy mare in the breeding shed, with all of her first four foals taking records, including Princessofpink (by Full Count) 3, 1:56h ($150,198) and Pink Paisley (by What The Hill) 3, 1:58.4f ($44,528), etc. Her 2-year-old Marseille colt is named Pink Panther.

Pinery 2, 1:58 ($129,424) is the royally bred daughter by Angus Hall out of the unraced Pine Chip mare Pine For Her with 13 foals to her credit, including the 2-year-old Marseille filly Pretty Lil Penny. This freshman filly is a half-sister to Rattling Pine (by Dejarmbro) 7, 1:55h ($201,178) and Spoiler Alert (by Chapter Seven) k7, 1:54s ($190,588), among others.

Weekend Vacation 3, 1:57 ($38,014) is a Conway Hall daughter, out of the Dream Vacation mare Vacation’s Over 4, 1:53.f ($137,853). She’s produced eight foals to date, including the standouts Lucky Weekend (by Lucky Chucky) 3, 1:53.3s ($377,111) and Weekend Wit BigD (by Lucky Chucky) 4, 1:55.4f ($152,055), as well as her 2-year-old Marseille filly Memorial Vacation.

FIFTYDALLARBILL 4, 1:50.2 ($1,056,238), is a 2015 son of Indiana-based sire Swan For All is out of the unraced Royal Troubador mare CR Dixie Chick. He stands at Chapel Ridge Farm in Grabill, Indiana for a fee of $5,000, and has 40 freshman trotters set to hit the raceways in 2024. This Breeders Crown winner bred 82 mares in 2021; 84 in 2022; and 108 in 2023 for a total of 71 registered foals (34 colts and 37 fillies).

Devoutly Hanover 5, 1:55.4f ($106,75) is a daughter of SJ’s Caviar out of the Valley Victory mare Divine Victory 3, 1:55.2 ($323,185), with five foals of racing age in 2024, including SV Devoutlysdollar, her Fiftydallarbill filly. This 2-year-olds half-siblings include Deswanslittlelorie (by Swan For All) 6, Q1:55.1h ($256,764) and Heres Devotion (by Here Comes Herbie) 3, 1:55.4s ($90,314).

HP Guccio Girl, a 2015 unraced daughter by Guccio out of the SJ’s Caviar mare Mika’s Mazurka 2, 2:01.2f ($25,431) has produced two performers to date from four foals—the Dontyouforgetit gelding Asian Zing 3, 1:55 h ($145,646) and the Dover Dan 3-year-old filly Black Gold 2, 1:56.1s ($77,310). She has a 2-year-old Fiftydallarbill filly in Nifty Fifty and a 2023 Don’t Let’em colt named Barn Bachelor.

 Spice Queen 3, 1:53 ($402,864) was a hard-knocking race mare, a daughter of Yankee Glide, out of the Supergill mare The Big Enchilada 2:200 ($34,782), who has been just as prolific in the breeding shed. Her top performers include Trixar (by Trixton) 3, 1:55.1f ($200,278); Ready Any Time (by Kadabra) 5, 1:53 ($177,263); Some Kinda Crazy (by Crazy Wow) 2, 1:54.1 ($157,538); and Dancing For Money (by Muscles Yankee) 2, 1:58.1s ($117,970), etc. She has an unnamed yearling filly by Fiftydallarbill.

GIMPANZEE 4, 1:50 ($2,701,075) is the sensational son of Chapter Seven, out of the unraced Muscle Massive mare Steamy Windows. In 2024, Gimpanzee has 38 freshman trotters looking to make their debut. He was bred to 73 mares in 2021; 102 in 2022; and 117 in 2023, with 114 registered foals (53 colts and 61 fillies). Gimpanzee stands at Diamond Creek Farm in Kentucky for a fee of $20,000.

D’Orsay 4, 1:51.4 ($445,732) is a Yankee Glide daughter out of the outstanding Andover Hall race mare Danae 3, 1:54.2 ($529,099), a Hambletonian Oaks winner. D’Orsay was no slouch on the track and has proved to be just a prolific as a broodmare with four foals currently racing. She is the dam of Chablis (by Muscle Hill) 3, 1:53.4 ($123,196); The American Eagle (Trixton) 4, 1:54.2f ($105,990); and Mister Walker (by Muscle Hill) 5, 1:57h ($94,270), etc. Her 2-year-old son by Gimpanzee is named Grenache.

Jolene Jolene 3, 1:52.1 ($231,673) is the impeccably bred daughter by Muscle Hill, out of the Malabar Man mare Celebrity Speedie 2, 1:57.3 ($141,788), with four racing foals, all of whom have taken records. These foals include Venerable (by Walner) 2, 1:52 ($1,187,798); Crucial (by Father Patrick 3, 1:52.4f ($528,698); Ineffable (By Cantab Hall) 3, 1:53.3f ($94,735); and the 3-year-old filly Epoch (by Chapter Seven) 2, Q1:58 ($11,808). Voguish is her 2-year-old Gimpanzee filly and she has an unnamed yearling by Walner.

Southwind Venus 3, 1:59.4h ($80,357) is a Muscle Hill mare out of the unraced Donato Hanover mare Vivacious Lady. She is the dam of Miss I La (by Walner) 2, 1:53.4 ($100,088), and has a pair of Gimpanzee youngsters: the 2-year-old filly Witness Blue Chip and the yearling colt Atticus Blue Chip.

PROPULSION 4, 1:51.2 ($86,178) is a son of Muscle Hill, out of Hambletonian Oaks winner Danae, 3, 1:54.2 ($529,099), a daughter of Andover Hall. After campaigning for most of his career in Europe, Propulsion stood in New Jersey in 2021 and 2022, breeding 51 mares his first season and 27 his second year, for a total of 50 registered foals (26 colts and 24 fillies), with 34 freshmen set for their debut in 2024.

Angelette Hanover 2, 1:56.3 ($317,892) is a daughter of Yankee Glide out of the unraced Striking Sahbra mare Angelina Hall. All but one of Angelette Hanover’s eight foals of racing age has taken a record, with her most prolific performers being Squable (by Trixton) 5, 1:59.2h ($108,800); Celebrity Rolex (by Trixton) 6, 1:56.2h ($68,604); and Time Is Fleeting (by Lucky Chucky) 3, 1:58.1h ($51,360), etc. Her 2-year-old filly by Propulsion is known as Angel’s Blessing.

Magical Valentine 3, 1:56.2f ($46,006) is a Kadabra daughter, out of the Striking Sahbra mare Renees Pockets 3, Q2:00.4f ($13,966) whose fourth foal is the Propulsion filly Mystic Sweetheart. This filly’s half-sister by Trixton is Gigondas 4, 1:53.2s ($305,550).

Sausalito 2, 1:57.4f ($22,120) is a daughter of Donato Hanover out of the unraced Lindy Lane mare Lady Holiday. Sausalito has just three foals to date, including the 4-year-old mare Point Reyes (by E L Titan) 3, 1:56.3s ($108,840); the 2-year-old Propulsion colt Marin County; and the E L Titan yearling Muir Woods.

PASTOR STEPHEN 3, 1:52.4s ($1,050,992) is a son of Cantab Hall, out of the unraced Enjoy Lavec mare Gala Dream who stood at Premier Acres in Middlebury, Indiana for a fee of $7,500 in 2021 and 2022. He was bred to 82 mares in 2021 and 44 in 2022, with a total of 48 registered foals (25 colts and 23 fillies) and has 30 freshmen set to set hoof on the racetracks in 2024.

Little Revenue 3, Q2:03h ($9576) is a daughter of Revenue S, out of the Giant Victory mare Aldyth Hanover 2, Q2:00.4 ($49,206). This mare has produced Bluebird Reverend (by Swan For All) 6, 1:53s ($600,216); Bluebird Deacon (by Swan For All) 5, 1:53.1f ($298,280); and the 4-year-old gelding Bluebird Bishop (by Swan For All) 3, 1:53.2s ($128,461), among others. Her 2-year-old colt by Pastor Stephen has been christened Bluebird Pastor.

Malibu Breeze 6, 1:56.4f ($165,717) is a daughter by Sierra Kosmos, out of the Aggressive Way mare KT Jasmine 4, 2:03.3f ($16,582). She has five foals who are racing, all of whom have taken records, including Mad Dog (by My MVP) 4, 1:55.1f ($133,730) and Make Sure It’s Cold (by Bar Hopping) 4, 1:54f ($108,257). Her 2-year-old Pastor Stephen filly is named Mo Therapy Baby.

Rucoucou is an unraced but well-bred daughter of Yankee Glide, out of the Garland Lobell mare Odre Coucou 4, Q202.3s ($60,153). Her progeny includes Sweet Sofie T (by Conway Hall) 6, 1:55.3s ($177,754); Sweet Ashley T (by Conway Hall) 4, 1:53.4s ($151,323); and Sweet Jessie T (by Cash Hall) 5, 1:55.1f ($136,980), among others. She also has the 4-year-old Conway Hall colt Ima Seducer T ($3,480); the 2-year-old Pastor Stephen filly Sweet Judy T; and an unnamed Pastor Stephen yearling.

by Kimberly Rinker, for Harnesslink