In the realm of harness racing, a stallion with modest earnings of just $567,652 across 10 lifetime starts has managed to redefine the game and shape the future of breeding. This transformative figure has left an indelible mark on the trotting gait worldwide, signalling a profound shift that breeders must acknowledge.
While legendary names like Valley Victory and the recent sensation Muscle Hill have graced the industry, the narrative of Walner, as his career reaches its pinnacle, is already being immortalised in the annals of history. His swift and significant impact at stud sets him apart from his predecessors, sparking discussions on whether he will emerge as the greatest stallion the industry has ever seen.
Walner, sired by Chapter Seven, has swiftly risen to dominance, leading the charge among North American sires in 2023 across two-year-olds, three-year-olds, and all-age categories. A remarkable feat considering he has only three crops in the racing circuit.
The father-son duo of Chapter Seven and Walner has clinched the top spots on the money-winning sire lists in North America for 2023, a unique achievement in the industry's history. The six-year age gap between Chapter Seven's birth in 2008 and Walner's in 2014 adds a layer of intrigue, especially given Walner's emergence as a frontrunner from Chapter Seven's inaugural crop.
Unveiling staggering statistics surrounding Walner:
- A breeding privilege with Walner commands a hefty $40,000, being a fully syndicated horse.
- The average earnings per foal from his first crop stand at an impressive $151,565, with 93 registered foals.
- The second crop, comprising 87 registered foals, boasts an average earning of $112,280 per foal.
- In 2023, the third crop saw 100 registered two-year-olds with an average earning of $43,087 per foal.
- Walner's progeny has amassed a jaw-dropping total of $28,172,657 from just three racing crops.
- With 280 registered foals eligible to race, the average earnings per live foal from Walner's lineage amount to $100,616.
- Notably, Walner has produced four millionaires and 68 winners surpassing the $100,000 mark.
Furthermore, his impact extends beyond North America, with exported horses contributing to his European earnings. A remarkable trend emerges from Walner's progeny, with fillies dominating the top earners across his racing crops, including Breeders Crown champions and Hambletonian Oaks winners.
The flourishing demand for Walner's genetics is evident through notable sales and breeding shares, underscoring the industry's recognition of his breeding prowess. The tale of King Of The North, a Breeders Crown Champion, further illustrates the allure of Walner's lineage, with his popularity extending to breeding seasons in North America and Down Under.
Walner's meteoric rise as a game-changer in the trotting breed cements his legacy as a transformative force in the realm of harness racing breeding.