July 27, 2010 - When most stallions are tapering off as they get older, the industry's all-time leading sire First Down Dash reminds us of the 'Energizer Bunny'. He just keeps on ticking!
Sunday the 26-year-old stallion sired his 221st stakes winner when Hes Too Icy For Me won the $625,000 Rainbow Futurity (G1) at Ruidoso Downs, thwarting the nation's No. 1 2-year-old American Runaway's bid to win the $4 million All American Triple Crown Bonus.
Hes Too Icy For Me joins Givinitaroyaleffort (Heritage Place Futurity) and First Down Illusion (Ed Burke Memorial Futurity) to win a Grade 1 futurity from the current crop of 2-year-olds sired by First Down Dash.
The current list of top five 2-year-old money earners in the nation include No. 2 First Down Illusion at $433,125, No. 4 Givinitaroyaleffort at $433,218 and No. 5 Hes Too Icy For Me at $332,694.
The former world champion, who is the sport's all-time leading sire by earnings , has amassed sire earnings of more than $72.2 million.
First Down Dash extended his lead as the current No. 1 leading sire of 2-year-olds and became the No. 1 leading sire of money earners.
The sorrel stallion has sired a record six All American Futurity (G1) winners.
Property of a syndicate, he stands at Vessels Stallion Farm near Bonsall, California. For additional information contact Scoop Vessels or Kevin Dickson at (760) 414-3300. Courtesy StallioneSearch