Former Ontario stallions Sunfire Blue Chip and Dali will both be standing in new jurisdictions for the 2024 breeding seasons.

Sunfire Blue Chip p,2,1:52.4f; 3,1:48.3f ($1,649,833), the multiple stakes-winning son of American Ideal, will be standing his first Ohio season in 2024. Sunfire Blue Chip will join the stallion roster of Bear Creek Stables. 

Sunfire Blue Chip was a winner at every level from his two-year-old campaign forward. He competed against greats like Captaintreacherous, Sweet Lou, Bettors Edge, McWicked, Bit Of A Legend N, All Bets Off and others. 

As a sophomore, Sunfire Blue Chip captured his Adios elimination and the final, an elimination of the Messenger (second by a head in the final), the Tattersalls Pace, Empire Breeders Classic elimination (second in final), Hempt elimination (third by a half-length in final), among other victories.

As an aged horse, the 40-time winner captured the Prix D’Ete and Bobby Quillen Memorial. He was second in the Molson Pace (by a neck in a track record), third in the Roll With Joe, another edition of the Molson Pace and a Ben Franklin elimination.

Sunfire Blue Chip hails from one of the sport’s most sought-after families. He is by American Ideal and is the second foal out of the Cams Card Shark mare Shot Togo Bluechip. His full brother is the $1.7 million-earning Breeders Crown winner, Heston Blue Chip p,3, 1:48f.

His second dam is a full sister to $1.4 million winner Kikikatie -- the dam of Rockin Image ($903,424), Time To Roll ($811,500), Rockin Amadeus ($722,609) and Tellitlikeitis ($513,917) -- as well as Just Wait Kate ($387,931) and Kiss Me Kate ($284,820) -- the dam of Kissin In The Sand ($1,852,427) -- and a half-sister to multiple stakes winner Katie Said ($524,468).

From a limited group of mares, Sunfire Blue Chip has already produced Ontario Sires Stakes Super Final winner B Stoney p,3,1:50.1, BT1:49.2 ($347,296), Sun Of A Show p,1:51f ($315,293), Stash The Cookies p,1:51.2e ($313,359), New Jersey Sires Stakes champion Fika Time p,2,1:55.4, 4,1:51.4 ($252,543), Dreamfair Zenfire p,3,1:53s, 1:52.3h ($210,016) and many more.

From 21 starters, he has 18 winners. Eleven of the winners have career earnings exceeding $100,000 and four with more than $250,000. Thirteen have a best time of 1:55 and 10 have won in 1:53 or better. Total progeny earnings is more than $2.8 million and the average earning per starter $135,144.

Sunfire Blue Chip will stand his first year in Ohio for a stud fee of $2,500 USD after a successful stint in Canada. 

For more information regarding shares and breeding to Sunfire Blue Chip, contact Daniel R. Hostetler of Bear Creek Stables at 440-309-9377 or Charles Taylor of Standing Stallions at 614-205-0005 or [email protected].

World champion Dali p,2,1:50.2; 3,1:48.2f ($1,436,363), a pacing stallion by Real Artist out of Armbro Tea, will stand in Virginia for the 2024 breeding season.

Powerplay Racing's Thomas and Cheryl (Matney) Houck along with CT Stables' Charles and Vanessa Taylor are excited by the opportunity to deliver a world champion sire to Virginia. Cheryl and Charles were both born and raised in the state of Virginia, so to contribute to the growth of the Virginia Harness Horse Association program is near and dear to their heart.

“Horses and specifically Standardbreds are a way of life for our family," said Cheryl Houck. "My grandpa, Daniel Matney, took care of 13 children, raising and selling Standardbreds. My father, Hobert Matney, would buy horses from the auctions and break them under saddle to race in Virginia. My husband and I represent a fourth generation of Standardbred owners. The ultimate dream for us would be to preserve the family legacy and pass on the opportunity for our kids and grandchildren to participate in this great community."

Charles Taylor said, “I grew up at the tracks. As long as I can remember my dad would take me to nearby Maryland track Rosecroft to watch the races since we did not have it in Virginia. If you had told me back then that one day we would be afforded the opportunity to own the great Standardbreds that we have, I would have told you not a chance. Thankfully, back in 2007, my wife Vanessa suggested I follow my dream and purchase my first horse. Fast forward to now, having the opportunity to stand a world-class stallion in the state which I was raised is a dream come true.

"We would like to thank the Virginia Harness Horse Association for the years of challenging work to get the program where it is. And the work it took over the last few months for us to get this done. We look forward to helping and supporting however we can.”

Dali is a proven producer with progeny earnings of more than $15.9 million.

At two, he won the Woodrow Wilson, Niatross, a divisions of the International Stallion Stakes and an elimination of the Governor's Cup. He finished second in a division of the Bluegrass Stakes, elimination Metro Stakes and a leg of the Pennsylvania Sires Stakes.

At three, he won an elimination and final of the Matron Stakes, Burlington Stakes and elimination of the Progress Pace. He was second in the Hoosier Cup and an elimination of the North America Cup. He finished third in the Battle Of Brandywine Pace, Tattersalls Pace, a division of the Bluegrass Stakes and an elimination of the Adios. 

Dali won his first lifetime start at the age of two in 1:51.3 at Mohawk Racetrack.

Dali has 47 progeny that have earnings of more than $100,000. He has 18 or more that have earned more than $250,000 with several earning more than $500,000. His starters have averaged $66,926 in career earnings. Dali has 81 progeny or 34 per cent of starters that have won in 1:55 or better hwile 45 have eclipsed 1:53 and three in sub-1:50. 

For more information regarding breeding to Dali, contact Andy Kocher of Stony Ridge Farm at 205-523-3088 or Charles Taylor of Standing Stallions at 612-695-0055 or [email protected].

(With files from Standing Stallions; Photo of Sunfire Blue Chip winning the 2013 Adios)