While Mendelssohn and Justify covered well over 200 mares during their respective second seasons in the breeding shed in Kentucky this past winter, Florida-based Bucchero (Kantharos) claimed the bronze medal, having been bred to 161 mares, according to the Report of Mares Bred released by The Jockey Club late last week.
Bucchero was the first son of Kantharos to enter stallion duty and was bred to 130 mares during his first year at stud at Pleasant Acres Stallions in 2019. His two-year total of 291 mares makes him the most sought-after stallion in the Sunshine State during that period.
Kantharos began his career at Florida before making the move to Hill ‘N’ Dale at Xalapa in late 2016. From his first Kentucky-conceived crop, Kantharos has already sired 15 winners, sixth-best nationally and ahead of such sires as Munnings, American Pharoah and Tapit.
“We were excited to bring the Kantharos bloodline back to Florida and once the breeders were able to see him in person, he really sells himself” commented Joe Barbazon, owner of Pleasant Acres. “Breeders realize that the Florida program and 2-year-old sales put a lot of emphasis on speed and precociousness, and they see that Bucchero checks these boxes.”
Among the second book of mares bred to Bucchero was Queenie’s Pride (Special Rate), the dam of 2020 stakes winner Joy’s Rocket (Anthony’s Cross), who is catalogued to the upcoming Keeneland November sale.
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