Quality will out - young US sire back in the big time after quiet year

In a world where a stallion’s performance is either feted or damned with alarming alacrity, the stud career of Quality Road serves as a good reminder of how fortunes can change from one year to the next.

Quality Road was part of a strong intake of stallions to stud in Kentucky for the 2011 season alongside the likes of Blame, Super Saver, Lookin At Lucky and Eskendereya. All bar Super Saver were priced in the $30,000-$35,000 range and despite the resulting competition, each attracted a strong book of mares.

Quality Road’s fee of $35,000 set by Lane’s End Farm was reflective of a brilliance that had manifested itself in victories in the Grade 1 Florida Derby, Metropolitan Handicap, Woodward Stakes and Donn Handicap, which was won by almost 13 lengths and in track-record time.