He was originally going to run back in the G1 Epsom These include Cairo Prince, winner of the GII Holy Derby this weekend, but connections have had a Bull, and Social Inclusion, not yet a black-type winner change of heart, and instead are pointing him for the but third in the GI Twinspires.com Wood Memorial and $1.25-million GI Belmont Derby (10f, turf) on July 5. the GI Preakness, and running at Belmont this weekend. The other three of the top four 2014 European Number two in North America is Taylor Made=s Old second-crop sires look like even more serious business. Fashioned (Unbridled=s Song), sire of dual California Mastercraftsman has now sired Grade I winner Fashion Plate. five group winners and seven group horses in his first crop, including two Group 1 winners-- FRESHMAN SIRES It=s only the beginning of June, but I was surprised to Kingston Hill and The Grey find that already there are 20 NA/EU freshman sires Gatsby. He was a top racehorse himself, with two or more winners. Fifteen of these, including winner of four Group 1 races--the the three freshmen with four or more winners so far, Phoenix S. and National S. at two, are in Europe, where there is considerably more and the Irish 2000 Guineas and early-season 2-year-old racing. Five are in the U.S. The St. James=s Palace S. at three, as three leaders are all Danzig-line sires, and all showed well as twice placing behind Sea their best form at two. This is very early-season form, the Stars at 10 furlongs, in the G1 and really only shows precocity, but that does translate Juddmonte International and the The Grey Gatsby to >quick return= for owners. The leader by progeny G1 Irish Champion S. Gilltown=s Racing Post photo earnings so far (click here) is Whitsbury Manor Stud=s Sea the Stars (Cape Cross) is now Showcasing, one of three sons of Oasis Dream to third among European second-crop sires by 2014 already have two or more winners. Winner of the G2 progeny earnings, but he is Gimcrack (6f) at two, Showcasing has sired four the leader in four back-type winners, including Cappella Sansavero, trained by Ger categories this year, with Lyons in Ireland, who is three-for-three, including a win five back-type winners, in the 5-furlong Listed Marble Hill S. a couple of weeks three of which are group ago. Leader by number of winners is Tally-Ho Stud=s stakes winners; and 11 Zebedee, a gray son of Invincible Spirit (like Oasis black-type horses, of Dream, himself a son of Green Desert) who won six of which five are group his seven starts, all over five furlongs, at two. Zebedee stakes horses, including has seven winners so far, from an impressive 37 two who=ve run Group 1 runners. Fashion Plate seconds for the Aga Khan They are sure getting them to the races. Rathasker Benoit in the last 10 days: the filly Stud=s Fast Company is a son of Danehill Dancer who Vazira, second in the G1 won the seven-furlong Acomb S. at York at two for trainer Brian Meehan, and gave New Approach a scare Prix Saint-Alary; and the colt Shamkiyr, second to The in the 2007 G1 Dewhurst S., with Raven=s Pass, Rio de Grey Gatsby in the G1 Prix du Jockey-Club last la Plata, and Dark Angel among those behind him. He weekend. Sea the Stars how has four Group 3 winners has five winners so far. and, as mentioned above, two contenders including Among the American sires, Spendthrift=s 2010 GI virtual co-favorite Taghrooda in Friday=s G1 Epsom Carter H. winner Warrior=s Reward, the best colt from Oaks. It is definitely happening. Medaglia d=Oro=s first crop, burst on to the scene with Haras de la Cauveniere s 2009 G1 Prix du = three winners on the same day last Friday to go straight Jockey-Club winner Le Havre (Noverre) is the fourth to the head of the class among North American European second-crop sire with over $1 million in 2014 freshman sires. He s had plenty of admirers, at last progeny earnings. He is the sire of G1 Poule d=Essai des = Pouliches (French 1000 Guineas) winner Avenir Certain, year=s yearling sales and this year=s 2-year-old sales, who could be favored over another French-trained filly, and they=re entitled to be encouraged by this early G1 English 1000 Guineas winner Miss France (Dansili) show of strength. Friday, May 30, 2014, may come to for their showdown in Royal Ascot=s G1 Coronation S. be remembered as AWarrior=s Reward Day@ around Also, last Sunday another filly by Le Havre, dual listed Spendthrift. Also with three winners is Silver City, a winner La Hoguette, ran a good second in the G2 Prix fast son of Unbridled=s Song who stands at the late du Sandringham on the French Derby undercard. So far Clarence Scharbauer=s Valor Farm in Texas. With two the Racing Post website lists no fewer than seven winners each are Coolmore=s Lookin at Lucky (Smart runners by Le Havre which have run Racing Post Strike), and Darley=s Desert Party (Street Cry {Ire}) and Ratings (RPR) of 99+; very impressive. Midshipman (Unbridled=s Song). Lookin at Lucky and WinStar=s Pioneerof the Nile (Empire Maker) continues Midshipman were both champion two-year-olds. Desert to lead the North American second-crop sire list (click Party was a Grade II winner at two who had some here) by progeny earnings, and, like Sea the Stars in yearlings sell really big last year. Europe, in four key black-type categories: three BTW, six BTH, two GSW, and four GSH.