Muscle Hill, the leading trotting sire in the world, will be standing at stud at Southwind Farms in New Jersey for the 2017 breeding season.
Although Muscle Hill stood at stud at Southwind in New Jersey for the first four years of his stallion career, beginning in 2014 he was at Marion Farms in New Hope, Pa., so that his foals would be eligible in Pennsylvania.
“The reason for the move is we have noticed a marked difference in the stalllion’s libido, health and general well being upon his return home,” said syndicate manager Mike Klau, noting that Muscle Hill spent the offseason at Southwind in New Jersey, where he was collected for the frozen semen markets in Europe and the Southern Hemisphere. “We feel that it is in the best interest of the horse and the syndicate for him to remain year-round at Southwind.”
Muscle Hill has sired the winners of over $12 million this season -- a record for trotting stallions, and has sired four million-dollar winners, led by Triple Crown winner Marion Marauder 3,1:51.3 ($1,558,254), Breeders Crown winner Bar Hopping 3,1:51.4 ($1,284,055), Yonkers International winner Resolve 1:50.2 ($1,421,993) and multiple stakes winner Southwind Frank 3,1:52.1 ($1,174,188). He is the leading money-winning sire of two-year-olds, three-year-olds and all-age performers from just four crops of racing age. His 2016 two-year-olds were headed by the world champion filly Ariana G 2,1:51.4 ($804,245) and Peter Haughton Memorial winner What The Hill 2,1:54.4 ($335,397). Internationally, Muscle Hill’s son Propulsion just qualified for the prestigious Prix d’Amerique in Paris.
At the yearling sales, Muscle Hill’s offspring were in great demand, having the sales topper at both the Lexington Selected Sale (Tactical Landing, selling for $800,000) and the Standardbred Horse Sale in Harrisburg (Story Time Hanover, sold for $410,000). A total of 34 of his yearlings sold for $100,000 or more and the average price for his yearlings was $113,199.
(with files from Southwind)