As the spring begins to unfold the cream is rising to the top in the third season sires table, but unfortunately for Australian breeders two of the top three sires on the list are not available to them this spring.
Coolmore shuttler Justify (USA) is leading the way by winners, earnings and stakes-winners with three on the board already in Storm Boy, Dawn Service and his four year-old gelding Air Assault, who has been a stakes-winner for his sire at two, three and now four!
The Triple Crown winner remains in Kentucky this year due to his overwhelming success in the Northern Hemisphere where his superstar son City of Troy has taken all before him, but is available for Southern Hemisphere covers with Coolmore sending a significant number of mares to him.
The Autumn Sun is also out of action due to injury which is a massive blow for Arrowfield Stud given his star is on the rise thanks to boom filly Autumn Glow.
Harry Angel (IRE), Trapeze Artist and Brave Smash (Jpon) round out the top five and all are standing in the Hunter Valley this spring.