In the breeding industry, a reputable sire is highly regarded. Mare owners select the best stallions they can afford for breeding purposes. As a result, breeders aim to acquire the strongest horses with impressive track records, with the expectation that their offspring will match the original's quality. The worth of horses chosen for breeding is largely determined by the performance of their progeny. When evaluating sires, several factors are considered, including the total number of races run by their offspring, the wins achieved—especially in Stakes Races—and the primary metric of earnings.
The Canadian Thoroughbred sire rating is compiled and regularly updated, offering valuable insights to breeders, owners, and anyone involved in Thoroughbred breeding.
In 2024, eight of the top nine Canadian sires are based on farms in Ontario, with half located at the esteemed Canadian branch of Adena Springs in Aurora, part of the Greater Toronto Area. This farm is renowned as Canada's premier breeder, having received the Sovereign Award for Outstanding Breeder 12 times. In addition to raising and training young Thoroughbreds for racing, Adena Springs also operates a retirement program that retrains horses for life after the track. As of late August 2024, the standings for Canadian Thoroughbred sires are as follows.
9th place in the ranking, Frac Daddy
Frac Daddy resides at Colebrook Farms Stallion Station in Ontario, with a stud fee set at $4,000. In 2023, he distinguished himself as the only stallion to produce a G1 winner from a single foal. He enjoyed a successful year, racing 61 of his two-year-olds, out of which 25 were winners, collectively earning over $2.1 million. Currently, he has 57 foals competing, with 26 victories to their credit, accumulating earnings of $1,146,126.
8th place in the ranking, Silent Name
Silent Name, a stallion located at Adena Springs North in Aurora, Ontario, has a stud fee of $8,000. Nearly 70% of his progeny have won races, with an average earning of $96,600 CAD. To date, Silent Name has sired 613 foals, 469 of whom have raced, and 327 have achieved victory.
In 2023, a yearling foal of his sold for an impressive $253,000 CAD at Keeneland. As of the end of August 2024, his statistics include 69 racers, of which 24 have won, notably including a Grade 1 victory, with total earnings reaching $1,287,850.
7th place in the ranking, Fed Biz
The son of Giant's Causeway, European Horse of the Year, has been bred at Highfield Stock Farm in Alberta since 2021. His stud fee is $5,000.
Fed Biz was born in 2009 and raced from 2011 to 2014. He has 6 wins, 2 second places and 3 third places in 19 starts.
In 2024, 91 of his foals competed, 36 of them were winners, their earnings amounted to $1,372,508.
6th place in the ranking, Mohaymen
Mohaymen is currently bred at Saintsbury Farms Inc, Lucan, Ontario. Stud fee is $5,000.
Mohaymen was foaled in 2013. In September 2014, Sheikh Hamdan Al Maktoum bought him for $2.2 million at the Keeneland auction.
Mohaymen has won 5 of his 13 starts, with total earnings of $998,417.
His progeny include Win For The Money, ELM Drive, Regaled.
In 2024, 90 of his foals raced, winning 37 of them, with total earnings of $1,497,858.
5th place in the ranking, Shaman Ghost
Adena Springs North, or Stronach Stable, Ontario. Stud fee for the stallion is C$7,500.
61% of Shaman Ghost's foals started are winners, with an average earnings per horse of $59,500.
The stallion has 136 offspring, 103 of which are raced and 63 winners.
In 2022, Gran Spirited, Slack Tide and Ghost Hero distinguished themselves. In 2023, Ghost Hero won the Evangeline Downs Lafayette Stakes, Will Rogers Stakes and Remington Park Oklahoma Classics Cup, while Shamans Girl won the Shady Well Stakes.
In 2024, 42 of 75 racers won, earning $1,503,561.
4th place in the ranking, Reload
The stallion Reload, stationed at Northern Dawn Stables Inc. in Hillsburg, Ontario, is available for a breeding fee of $5,000. Born in 2009, Reload boasts several Grade 3 race victories, including the Canadian Turf Stakes and the Tampa Bay Stakes. This versatile competitor has performed admirably on various surfaces, concluding his racing career with 25 starts that resulted in 8 wins, 4 second-place finishes, and 3 third-place finishes. His total earnings reached $567,504 before he retired to breeding in 2017. Notable offspring include Stakes Race winners Patches O’Houlihan and Candy Overload. As of 2024, 75 of his foals have raced, with 36 achieving victory, including one that secured a Grade 1 win.
3rd place in the ranking, Tamarkuz
Ballycroy Bloodstock Farm in Loretto, Ontario, Canada, is the current residence of this impressive chestnut stallion, born in 2010. He is renowned for his victory in the $1 million Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile in 2016. Tamarkuz began his racing career in Europe, later competing in Dubai before returning to the United States. With a record of 20 races, he boasts eight wins and four second-place finishes, accumulating total earnings of $1,894,444.
Currently, his stud fee at Ballycroy Bloodstock is set at $4,000 Canadian. Among his notable offspring are Two Rivers Over and Win Me Over. In 2024, his progeny included 57 foals who raced, with 28 emerging as winners, including one graded winner, collectively earning $1,608,211.
2nd place in the ranking, Mucho Macho Man
The renowned stallion, born in 2008 in Florida, was named after the Village People hit "Macho Man." Initially frail, he grew to over 17 hands tall. As a young colt, Mucho Macho Man struggled to utilise his height effectively, often interfering with his own running by stepping on his front legs with his hind legs, which caused him to lose horseshoes in two races.
Throughout his career, he participated in 25 races, winning 9, finishing second in 5, and placing third in 6. He earned a total of $5,625,410. In 2015, he was retired to Adena Springs North at Stronach Stable in Ontario, where his breeding fee was set at $15,000.
His notable offspring in recent years include Mucho Del Oro and Real Macho. By 2024, 115 of his foals had raced, with 42 emerging as winners, including one graded stakes winner. The total earnings for his progeny amounted to $1,802,647.
1st place in the ranking, Point of Entry
An exceptionally stunning tall bay horse from Kentucky, born in 2008, is currently housed at Stronach Stable in Ontario. He competed from 2011 to 2013, achieving significant success in 2012 with victories in the Joe Hirsch Turf Classic (G1), Sword Dancer Stakes (G1), Man O' War Stakes (G1), and Elkhorn Stakes (G2). In 2013, he added wins in the Manhattan Stakes (G1) and the Gulfstream Park Turf Handicap (G1) to his impressive record. Among his 18 races, the stallion secured 9 victories and amassed total earnings of $2,494,490 over the years.
He retired in 2013, earning $25,000 for stud fees.
In 2024, 87 of his progeny are racing, including 47 winners, with combined earnings of $1,983,852.
His top offspring include Canisi, Rimprotector, Air Sage, Kitodan, and Trail Ridge Road.