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Gun Runner Breaks Freshman Sire Progeny Earnings Record

The record eclipses the previous earnings record established by Uncle Mo in 2015.

Gun Runner at Three Chimneys Farm

Gun Runner at Three Chimneys Farm

Anne M. Eberhardt

Three Chimneys' Gun Runner , the 2017 Horse of the Year and the leading sire of 2-year-olds worldwide as well as the leading freshman sire in 2021, has established an all-time progeny earnings record for a first-crop sire, eclipsing super sire Uncle Mo 's first-crop earnings record established in 2015. To put the significance of this accomplishment into perspective, Uncle Mo's first crop earnings surpassed the previous record established by the legendary Tapit  back in 2008.

The previous first-crop progeny earnings record of $3,670,354 as reported by BloodHorse and $3,717,490 as reported by Thoroughbred Daily News, was surpassed Nov. 28 when the Tom Amoss-trained Shotgun Hottie won the first race at Churchill Downs, becoming winner No. 22, boosting Gun Runner's earnings over $3.8 million. Gun Runner's milestone earnings record mirrors that of Uncle Mo's, having sired two grade 1 winners including the undefeated NetJets Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies (G1) captress Echo Zulu. Their records differ, however, in that Gun Runner has sired one more graded stakes winner than Uncle Mo, with fewer starters.

"Gun Runner's record start at stud is a crowning achievement for the farm and its philosophy." said Three Chimneys' owner Gonçalo Torrealba. "To surpass a record established by Uncle Mo, and Tapit previous to that, clearly compares Gun Runner favorably at this point in time with two of the most influential sires at stud today. He not only established a new progeny earnings record but he is also the leading sire in America by percent stakes winner to runners among all sires, pretty astonishing. Three Chimneys' whole team is grateful to the breeders who continue to support him with great mares, and a special thanks to partner Ron Winchell. He has been fantastic. I am grateful for his continued commitment to breed his best mares and race their progeny. Trainer Steve Asmussen has created his legacy through Horse of the Year Gun Runner and his progeny. Thank you, Steve."

Echo Zulu (Joel Rosario) wins the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies<br>
Del Mar 5.11.21
Photo: Edward Whitaker/Racing Post
Echo Zulu wins the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies at Del Mar

Echo Zulu is Gun Runner's top earner, having collected $1,480,000 to date from her victorious four starts, which also include the Frizette (G1) and Spinaway (G1) stakes. Gun Runner's other graded stakes winners are Gunite , who took the Hopeful (G1); Wicked Halo, winner of the Adirondack (G2); and Pappacap ; the Best Pal (G2) winner who went on to finish second in the TVG Breeders' Cup Juvenile Presented by Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance (G1). He has also sired Kip Deville Stakes captor Concept and Nov. 23 Zia Park Princess Stakes winner Optionality

Jockey Ricardo Santana Jr. heads to the finish line with Gunite, the winner of The Hopeful at the Saratoga Race Course Monday Sep, 6, 2021 in Saratoga Springs, N.Y. Special to the Times Union Photo  by Skip Dickstein
Photo: Skip Dickstein
Gunite takes the Hopeful Stakes at Saratoga Race Course