Airdrie Stud announced Oct. 18 its stud fees for the upcoming 2024 breeding season, topped by Girvin and Upstart , who each stand for $30,000.
Girvin was the fifth-leading first-crop stallion of 2022 and is currently the eighth-leading second-crop stallion of 2023. His fee climbs after being $20,000 this year.
Upstart, third in the third-crop stallion list from 2022, is 60th on the current general sire list. Upstart’s 4-year-old son, recent Woodward Stakes (G2) winner Zandon , is aimed at the Nov. 4 Breeders’ Cup Classic (G1) at Santa Anita Park.
“We couldn’t be looking more forward to the 2024 season as we continue to build momentum in our stallion barn,” Airdrie’s Bret Jones said in a release. “We believe we have two very special stallions in Girvin and Upstart headlining our roster this year. Both have built their success from the ground up, and their ability to so dramatically improve their mares has earned the faith of the best breeders in the industry. They are both poised to continue to climb the ladder as leading young stallions.”
Cairo Prince has a fee of $15,000 at Airdrie Stud for 2024, followed by Complexity at $12,500.
“Cairo Prince has once again been the leading sire of his stallion crop and a Top 25 general and juvenile sire throughout the year,” Jones continued. “He has long cemented his position as a hugely popular value stallion for both the sales ring and the racetrack. With his first crop of just 3-year-olds, Collected has already sired three individual grade 2 stakes winners and six stakes winners in all. That is an incredibly strong resume for a young stallion in his price range, and we believe his arrow will continue to point up in the year ahead. And we also believe Complexity has every chance to be next season’s leading freshman sire. He was an immensely talented runner, and his first-crop yearlings generated the type of buzz at the sales that foreshadow major success on the racetrack.”
Jones expressed optimism for what lies ahead at Airdrie Stud, a Midway, Ky., farm founded by his parents—his mother, Libby, and his late father, Brereton.
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“When combined with our new introductions of the last two years in Beau Liam, Happy Saver, and Highly Motivated and the future retirement of Kentucky Derby winner Mage at the end of his racing career, these are very exciting times for our Airdrie Stud team,” he said. “As always, we will be supporting our stallions with the full force of our broodmare band and look forward to working with our incredibly loyal breeders to whom we owe our success.”
Girvin – $30,000
Upstart – $30,000
Cairo Prince – $15,000
Complexity – $12,500
Collected – $10,000
Happy Saver – $10,000
Highly Motivated – $7,500
Beau Liam – $6,000
Divisidero – $5,000
Preservationist – $5,000
Summer Front – $5,000
