Even before Always B Miki was voted the 2016 Horse of the Year and Pacer of the Year in the United States by the U.S. Harness Writers’ Association, his book was full and closed for his first season at stud, and the names of the mares are some of the top female pacing stars in the breed.

Driven by David Miller, Always B Miki won 12 of 18 races this year and finished worse than second only once. After winning the TVG Series championship in November, he was retired from racing with $2.7 million in career earnings. He will stand at stud at Diamond Creek Farm in Pennsylvania.

Always B Miki’s book was announced full and closed last week, at about the same time he was revealed as the Dan Patch Older Pacer of the Year.

The following notables are already booked to the stallion: 2014 U.S. Horse of the Year JK Shesalady; Western Montana (dam of Pure Country); $1.5 million winner See You At Peelers. Loving Caroline (dam of 2015 Three-Year-Old Filly Dan Patch honouree Divine Caroline); Dancewiththebest (dam of Dancin Yankee); Katie Said p,3, 1:49.3f (from the prolific maternal family that includes Kikikatie); stakes winner Gallie Bythe Beach p,3 1:49; Lisjune (dam of I Luv The Nitelife); $1.6 million winner Western Silk; Kutekatie (also from the maternal family of Kikikatie), whose first three foals all sold for $100,000 or more; Trim Hanover, the dam of American Jewel and Luck Be Withyou; the recently retired $3.5 million winner Anndrovette; and Hunger Games, a full sister to Pure Country.

(Diamond Creek Farm)