Kingmambo, stellar son of Mr. Prospector on and off the racing track, will soon be retired from stud, and at the other end of the breeding spectrum, Unbridled's Song's champion son Midshipman is about to begin what is hoped will be a great stud career.
Kingmambo's Physical Condition
Continuing his stud career has become problematic for Kingmambo, according to a report filed in The Blood-Horse magazine September 18, 2010 (No.38; page 2686).
Kingmambo's mama, Miesque, by Nureyev, won the Breeders' Cup Mile for trainer Freddy Head in 1987 and 1988, the only female to do so until Head returned in 2008 and 2009 with Goldikova.
Miesque's colt, now 20 years old, distinguished himself as a breeding stallion, producing 86 stakes winners.
However, a bothersome neck ailment has recently limited Kingmambo's activity. Only one mare was bred to him this year. The mating was unsuccessful.
William S. Farish, owner of Lane's End Farm near Versailles, Kentucky, where Kingmambo stands, told Blood-Horse the stallion's fertility is not in question; "it's his ability to perform" while withstanding the neck difficulty.
Kingmambo On the Track and at Stud
In 1993, Kingmambo scored in the Prix du Moulin de Longchamp (Fr. I), the Dubai Poule d'Essai des Poulans (French Two Thousand Guineas-Fr.I), and the St. James's Palace Stakes (Eng.I).
Kingmambo's champion progeny have been world wide competitors. One of the most famous upsets in Belmont Stakes history was formulated by his son Lemon Drop Kid, who dropped the Triple Crown championship drive of Charismatic in 1999.
Son Henrythenavigator ravished Europe and ran second to upset-minded Raven's Pass in the 2008 Breeders' Cup Classic.
Kingmambo's other champions include King Kamehameha, El Condor Pasa, Divine Proportions, and Russian Rhythm.
Midshipman 2008 Juvenile Standout
Midshipman was foaled in 2006 and by the fall of 2008 became a track champion, winning the Del Mar Futurity (G1) and the Breeders' Cup Juvenile, beating future champions Mine That Bird and Pioneerof the Nile in the latter race. He was named 2008 Champion Two-Year-Old Male.
At three, Midshipman shipped abroad with new owners, but didn't race. Returned to the United States, Midshipman went third in the 2009 Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile.
In 2010, Midshipman carried a whopping 131 pounds in two races, winning once. In eight career races, the Unbridled's Song son won five times and was placed twice. His earnings totaled $1,584,600.
Darley Gets Midshipman
Midshipman owner Sheikh Mohammed of the Darley stud farm near Versailles purchased the four-year-old colt from Robert and Janice McNair's Stonerside Stable when Midshipman was two, while trainer Bob Baffert continued to condition the juvenile champion.
Darley has not settled on a stud fee for Midshipman, but are reported by The Blood-Horse magazine (issue September 11, 2010/No.37) to be "excited to have...his kind of looks and pedigree joining our roster in 2011".
Midshipman's dam is Fleet Lady, by Avenue of Flags--Deam Mimi. Avenue of Flags was sired by Seattle Slew, and Unbridled's Song is progeny to Unbridled--Trolley Song, by Caro (IRE).
BarbaraAnne Helberg - Barbara Anne Helberg, Supporter of Better Lives for Animals and Clean, Spirited, Competitive Sports
