Stallion Spotlight offers stud farm representatives a chance to address breeders and answer questions as they plan their future matings.
In this edition, Carlos Manresa of Sequel New York discusses Freud, a pillar of the Empire State’s stallion ranks for two decades.
Freud
B. h., 1998, Storm Cat x Mariah’s Storm, by Rahy
Race Record: 12-1-2-1; $44,016
Advertised Fee: $5,000
Question: What makes Freud an attractive stallion for potential breeders in NY?
Carlos Manresa, Sequel New York: Freud has been affectionately named “The King of New York” for a reason. He has produced 71 stakes winners, 24 percent graded stakes winners, including Sharp Azteca who is already making a huge name for himself as a young sire. More recently, his runners are being led by 3-year-old multiple stakes winner, Dakota Gold. His resume is simply unmatched as a sire in New York.
If I’ve got a mare that needs help from a physical perspective, what has Freud proven best able to contribute to the equation?
Manresa: Substance. Freud is a powerhouse with tremendous balance and muscle tone. He can really add a lot to mares with lighter frames who could benefit from some increased substance.
How would you describe the typical fully-matured Freud runner, both in terms of physical and running style?
Manresa: Freud’s runners are typically atypical. Sharp Azteca, for example, is the winner of the Grade 1 Cigar Mile with a 115 Beyer Speed Figure. Dakota Gold, on the other hand, has found more success sprinting on the turf. Physically, they tend to be average size and scope with above average muscle tone and an exceptional hip.
As a full-sibling to Giant’s Causeway, how would you say the typical Freud runner is similar and different to a typical horse by Giant’s Causeway?
Manresa: The similarities between Giant’s Causeway and Freud are huge. Each year, Giant’s Causeway bred a better quality of mare, having a much greater opportunity to sire a good horse based on his incredible progeny results, which continued well into his later years. Not this Time has been a phenomenal success to date with graded stakes winners in his freshman and sophomore crop. Both stallions are sires of graded winners on dirt, turf as well as synthetic surfaces, Freud has had amazing success with much poorer quality of broodmares. Imagine if Freud would have had mares with comparable pedigrees and indexes to Giant’s Causeway.
“No other horse in New York, regardless of the price bracket, can compete with the numbers Freud has achieved.”
Carlos Manresa, Sequel New York
What have the best Freud foals done to separate themselves from the rest, both as young horses going to the sale and as racehorses?
Manresa: While Freud’s progeny have varied greatly in their running style and preference, the best Freud foals tend to carry his stellar conformation. They aren’t overly stretchy but instead have a more average size, great hip and big shoulders. The nice white blaze down their face is really just a bonus.
What are some of the crosses that you’ve found to be the most effective in creating a successful runner by Freud?
Manresa: Physically, Freud can benefit a tall, leggy stretchy mare by adding a robust physique which tailors itself to more speed-type horses. Like his brother Giant’s Causeway, he has been exceptional with Mr. Prospector line mares, including his current top performer Dakota Gold who is out of a mare by Lemon Drop Kid. Notably, Freud is also the damsire of Grade 1 winner Speech, who carries on the incredible A.P. Indy line.
Why do you think Freud has worked so well in the New York program?
Manresa: Being a full-brother to Giant’s Causeway certainly helped get the ball rolling but in his own right, Freud has done an incredible job producing winners year after year at a rate well over 50 percent while also producing a few superstars along the way. Additionally, The New York program really gives people an added incentive to breed to New York stallions. The purses in New York are very strong and the New York Stallion Stakes offer breeders and buyers a terrific opportunity to earn some black-type.
What is something about Freud that you think gets overlooked?
Manresa: Freud is the lifetime leading sire of black-type winners in New York.
What makes Freud a value in his price bracket?
Manresa: There isn’t a more accomplished sire than Freud in New York. He is the sire of 71 stakes winners, 24 percent graded stakes winners. He has proven himself for 17 years as a sire of runners, winners and black-type horses. No other horse in New York, regardless of the price bracket, can compete with the numbers Freud has achieved.
What else should a breeder know about Freud before picking up the phone?
Manresa: The best is yet to come! He is active and his current stakes winning progeny, Dakota Gold, I’m Listening, and Therapist are leading the way in New York this year!