STALLIONS

THE FACTOR, A STALLION WITH THE X FACTOR

Thu, 08/01/2019 - 17:19

Lane’s End stallion The Factor, who has been having a stellar year, showed yet again he has the X factor as a sire when his son Cistron led at every call in the Bing Crosby Stakes (G1) at Del Mar to win an automatic berth in the Breeders’ Cup Sprint (G1).  Cistron’s top level victory is just the latest success story for a leading sire on the rise.

A leading general active sire, The Factor’s figures continue to impress. He has been represented by 11 stakes winners this year through August 14, which puts him ahead of the likes of his own leading sire, War Front (9), Medaglia d’Oro (9), and Uncle Mo (7), all of whom stand for considerably higher stud fees. Only three active stallions—Tapit, Curlin, and Into Mischief—have had more stakes winners in 2019.

Additionally, The Factor, who stands for $15,000, has been represented by 19 stakes horses this season, which is more than the likes of Uncle Mo (18), Ghostzapper (18), Giant’s Causeway (16), More Than Ready (16), and Kitten’s Joy (12). 

His progeny has earned in excess of $6.4 million through August 14, making him a leading general sire by earnings as well. In fact, thus far in 2019, The Factor’s runners have earned more worldwide than those of Medaglia d’Oro, Kitten’s Joy, War Front, and Uncle Mo.

It comes as no surprise then that The Factor is also the leading overall fourth crop sire, both in 2019 and cumulatively. Since The Factor’s foals hit the track, they have earned more than $17.7 million. This year, he picked up right where he left off in 2018, after finishing last year as the leading third crop sire ahead of Tapizar, the sire of champion Monomoy Girl.

The Factor is one of only three fourth crop stallions to sire a Grade 1 winner this year, and in addition to earnings, he also leads his competition when it comes to stakes winners (11), stakes horses (19) and graded stakes horses (6). 

Cumulatively, The Factor has sired 22 stakes winners and 37 stakes horses, significantly more than any other fourth crop stallion. Sitting in second by stakes winners is Maclean's Music with 15, while he and Bodemeister each have 27 stakes horses, putting them a joint second behind The Factor.

Based on recent leading fourth crop sires, the best is still ahead for The Factor. Those who achieved the title in the past five years—Uncle Mo (2018), Quality Road (2017), Pioneerof the Nile (2016), Curlin (2015), and Hard Spun (2014)—are a who’s who of leading sires and have left an indelible impact on the breed.  This success did not go unnoticed by breeders, as four of the five achieved six-figure stud fees.

As for Cistron, he becomes the second Grade 1 winner to come out of The Factor’s first crop. The stallion was also represented in his freshman crop by his daughter Noted and Quoted, who won the 2016 Chandelier Stakes (G1), which highlights The Factor’s versality as a sire. Noted and Quoted won a top class 1 1/16-mile contest as a juvenile, while Cistron won at the highest level over six furlongs in open company.

Bound for Nowhere, another notable horse out of The Factor’s first crop, also showcases the sire’s appeal across international lines. A Grade 2 winner over turf in North America, Bound for Nowhere finished third by less than a length in the Group 1 Diamond Jubilee Stakes during Royal Ascot. 

Having top level fillies and colts on multiple surfaces and at different distances echoes the success of The Factor’s sire, War Front, which is fitting as The Factor was his sire’s first Grade 1-winning colt. War Front, who began at $12,500 and now stands for $250,000, has sired 21 Grade/Group 1 winners overall.

In addition to his progeny proving it on the track, The Factor also has built a reputation for siring attractive foals. To date, he has sired over 70 six-digit yearling sales. His progeny has sold for up to $750,000, while he himself has never stood for more than $25,000. 

The success of his foals both at auction and on the racetrack, combined with his own attractive pedigree, make The Factor an up-and-coming stallion with across-the-board appeal.