first-season sires

The annual race to sire the most individual first-crop 2-year-old winners always fascinates us. This year in Europe it isn't much of a contest as the leader Mehmas (Ire)--with his 39 winners--is in no danger whatsoever of being caught by any of his contemporaries. However, 39 winners is hugely significant in that it breaks the European record for the most individual first-crop 2-year-old winners putting him one clear of the previous holder, Darley stalwart Iffraaj. And there are more than enough racing days left in the calendar for Mehmas to...

Tally-Ho Stud's Mehmas (Ire) (Acclamation {GB}), who with 146 2-year-olds boasts the largest representation of any first-season sire this year, made his presence felt by getting off the mark with two winners on Tuesday. The first, Bridge Dress Me (Ire), came over 1400 metres at Rome. Thirty minutes later, the Phillip Makin-trained Muker (Ire) defied odds of 20-1 to land a Newcastle maiden going 1000 metres on the all-weather. Bred by Epona Bloodstock, Mehmas was a 62,000gns Tattersalls October Book 2 yearling bought by Church Farm. Pinhooked at the Craven...

Mehmas (Ire), Shalaa (Ire) and The Gurkha (Ire) jointly head Fitzdares's market for champion first-season sire of 2020 at 5-1. Also featuring prominently are Territories (Ire) (6-1) and Pride of Dubai (Aus) (8-1) as well as Adaay (Ire), Awtaad (Ire) and Twilight Son (GB), all at 12-1. The odds are for win only, with the champion first-season sire to be determined by number of winners. "This year's market has an open look with co-favourites Mehmas and Shalaa having plenty of firepower to go on the track," said Glyn Warne, head...

In this TDN series we ask a group of experts for their predictions for the 2020 flat season in Europe. Today we hear from Ross Doyle. TDN: Who do you think will be the leading first-season sire this year? RD: We really liked the yearlings by Territories (Ire) and The Last Lion (Ire), but we will have to go with our old friend Mehmas (Ire). TDN: Have you bought any yearlings by Mehmas? Does he typically stamp his stock? RD: We bought four by him. They are great physicals, strong,...