Brittany Stallion Management has announced that the initial book for first-year stallion Perfect Sting is full and closed for the 2022 season.

Applications are currently being reviewed and breeders will be contacted after the process is further along.

The two-year-old Dan Patch Champion — who is in contention to repeat that honour at three — stands his first season at Deo Volente Farms in New Jersey.

“To say the response was overwhelming would be an understatement,” said Brittany’s Art Zubrod. “Word got out early that plans were to send him to stud in New Jersey, and by the time the actual announcement was made, breeders were lined up to get in, so to speak. Shares are completely sold out, and that happened almost immediately.”

There are several key factors leading to the horse’s popularity, not the least of which is his pedigree. Perfect Sting is by the co-fastest pacer ever, Always B Miki (1:46), and out of the fastest sophomore pacing filly ever, Shebestingin (1:47).

Another factor is the long-held belief that two-year-old ability is perhaps the greatest indicator of future siring success.

“With that in mind,” said Zubrod, “Perfect Sting comes up, you guessed it — perfect.”

The horse was the first undefeated two-year-old pacer to win the Breeders Crown, and wrapped up his 10-for-10 season securing the Dan Patch Two-Year-Old Pacer of the Year award.

Standing in New Jersey allows Perfect Sting’s foals eligibility to a revitalized New Jersey Sire Stakes program. An additional $3 million-plus will be pumped in from Meadowlands gaming revenue that will allow for increased purses and the resumption of the New Jersey Classics for two and three-year-olds.

“I personally haven’t handled this volume of requests since Artsplace went to stud,” said Zubrod. “We thank breeders for their enthusiasm and their belief in his future siring ability.”

(With files from Brittany Stallion Management)