Stallion Spotlight offers stud farm representatives a chance to address breeders and answer questions as they plan their future matings.
In this edition, Erin Robinson of Rockridge Stud discusses Slumber, a Grade 1 winner who moved to New York for the 2021 breeding season, making his first New York-sired foals yearlings of 2023.
Slumber
B. h., 2008, Cacique x Sound Asleep, by Woodman
Race Record: 27-5-6-5; $1,477,162
Advertised Fee: $7,500
Question: What makes Slumber an attractive stallion for potential breeders?
Erin Robinson, Rockridge Stud: The numbers. You absolutely cannot deny his numbers. Twenty four foals of racing age, three stakes winners, two graded stakes winners. The stats just don't get any better than that.
If I've got a mare that's lacking in a physical aspect, what can Slumber best contribute to that equation?
Robinson: Slumber is a very attractive stallion. Big shoulder, strong hip. His foals are just lovely.
What would a breeder looking to capture the Danehill/Danzig line magic find familiar in Slumber?
Robinson: Slumber was a turf monster, and he's throwing likewise.
What makes Slumber a good fit for the New York program?
Robinson: He is emerging as the go-to turf sire in the Northeast. As the turf program grows in New York, so will the interest in Slumber, I believe.
What are some of the physical and pedigree crosses that you have found produced the most attractive and successful Slumber foals?
Robinson: Since two of his stakes winners are from El Prado-line stallions, I would think that stands out, certainly. He's had so few foals to date, it's hard to know exactly what else will work well with him. I think any mare with a turf pedigree should give him a shot.
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If you appreciate our work, you can support us by subscribing to our Patreon stream. Learn more.Fluffy Socks is a multiple graded stakes winner and millionaire. What does a horse like her show New York breeders about the kind of runner Slumber can get you?
Robinson: She tries so very hard, in all of her races. Even her recent Grade 2 runner-up effort at Saratoga (in the Ballston Spa) was a heartbreaker, because she had them just past the wire. What a tremendous filly. And, if you go back and watch Sy Dog's first win and first stakes win (the 2021 Central Park Stakes at Aqueduct) – that kind of come-from-way-behind power play is something to behold. His foals are tryers, something I like to think he's passing on to them.
Slumber did his best work going especially long over the turf. What have you seen from his foals, and what makes you confident going forward, that he'd be able to reel that back to a mile with his runners to fit the typical American style?
Robinson: Both Fluffy Socks and Marvelous Maude have won stakes going one mile, Sy Dog has done well going 1 1/16 m miles or 1 5/8 m miles, but he broke his maiden going seven furlongs. I think he's shown they can go long or short.
What is something about Slumber that you think goes overlooked?
Robinson: Once again, the numbers game. He just doesn't have the volume so many other great stallions have, that it's hard to plead his case at times. But, if you look at his strike rate – it's phenomenal. That's the message we've been trying to drive home.
The post Stallion Spotlight Presented By New York Thoroughbred Breeders Inc.: ‘Turf Monster’ Slumber Making Good First Impressions In Empire State appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.
