Maryland Thoroughbred

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Oratory’s first crop speaks volumes, making him Maryland’s top freshman sire
Oratory, a son of Pulpit standing at the Pons family’s Country Life Farm in Bel Air, Md., established himself as Maryland’s leading freshman sire of 2009, with a record not matched in this state in recent years.

With 17 winners from 24 starters, his total number of winners was the seventh-highest among freshman sires in the nation, and his ratio of winners from starters far exceeded those above him on the list.

Oratory’s progeny earnings of $386,031 gave him the nod in that category over Northview Stallion Station’s Dance With Ravens, who ended the year with a creditable $347,998.

Oratory was represented by three stakes-placed runners in 2009, and a fourth, Spoken in French, finished third in the Maryland Filly Championship Stakes on Jan. 1.

Not For Love, a Mr. Prospector son also standing at Northview, continued his reign, ranking as the leading sire outside of Kentucky for the seventh year in a row.

Topping $6 million in progeny earnings for the second consecutive season, Not For Love was represented by 214 starters and 125 winners for earnings of $6,117,584, He had 16 stakes winners, led by graded stars Not for Silver and Blind Date.

Lion Hearted finished second, with $3,523,058 in progeny earnings. Also topping the $2 million mark were Louis Quatorze ($2,586,474) and Outflanker ($2,564,360).