January 12 2017

The dirt on Bernardini

One of America's most prolific sources for high-level main track success

With Bernardini's own tremendous success on the dirt when winning races like the G1 Preakness, G1 Travers and G1 Jockey Club Gold Cup, it should come as no big surprise that the next generations of "Bernardinis" should excel on the main track just like their father. Runners like 2016's multiple G1 winner and Eclipse nominated Cavorting and nine additional G2 and G3 winners have elevated him once again to sit alongside other leading sires in North America. Only Tapit had more Graded winners on the dirt in 2016 than Bernardini:

Stallion	Fee	2016 GS winners on dirt
Tapit	$300,000	11
Bernardini	$100,000	10
Uncle Mo	$150,000	8
Curlin	$150,000	6
Candy Ride	$60,000	6

In addition to Cavorting, who captured the G1 Ogden Phipps and G1 Personal Ensign last year, Bernardini's ten Graded Stakes winners on dirt in 2016 included G2 Gazelle winner Lewis Bay, G2 Nashua winner Hemsworth, and G2 Royal Delta winner Penwith.

Cavorting wins the 2016 G1 Ogden Phipps

And speaking of performers at the highest level, no sire in 2016 was represented by more G1 Stakes horses on the dirt than Bernardini:

Stallion	Fee	2016 G1 horses on dirt
Bernardini	$100,000	7
Tapit	$300,000	7
Curlin	$150,000	7
Flatter	$35,000	6
Uncle Mo	$150,000	5
Candy Ride	$60,000	5

Only Tapit and Curlin could match Bernardini's total of seven G1 dirt horses in 2016, which included the aforementioned Cavorting, Lewis Bay (third in G1 Kentucky Oaks and second in G1 Mother Goose), and Penwith (third in G1 Delaware Handicap and G1 Beldame), as well as G1 Ashland runner-up Rachel's Valentina, G1 Ogden Phipps third Carrumba, and G1 Spinaway third Cherry Lodge.