Did Juddmonte Jump Too Early?

Juddmonte has had many great homebred horses. From Danehill to Workforce to the Hasili clan to Frankel. Their homebreds have been some of the greatest not only in Europe, but in the US as well. The question is, did they give up on the horse that they thought would win them the Derby too early in the shed? This past year has been a banner year for the Unbrided stallion Empire Maker, and he's enjoying his foals success in Japan.

Sure he technically was a failure for Juddmonte as their horses didn't have the success their sire had when he was running in 2002 and 2003. Still, he sired G1 winners in Country Star, Pioneerof the Nile, and Acoma for other connections.

Then along comes the Delta duo of your most likely 3yo Filly Champion Royal Delta and her little brother Empire Way. Out of the AP Indy mare Delta Princess, Royal Delta had a fantatic season after getting off to a slow start and overcoming an injury that kept her out of the Mother Goose. Still, she returned to deny It's Tricky the Triple Tiara in the Alabama. After a second place finish behind Havre de Grace in the Beldame which was her first start against older horses, she won the Breeders' Cup Ladies Classic to most likely cinch those honors. In the process it started a big weekend for her trainer Bill Mott as he won the Classic the next day with Drosselmeyer.

Earlier this week, Royal Delta was sold for more then 8 million dollars to Belislu Stables (who also picked up Balance's first foal last year). As of right now, she is expected to return as a four year, but her trainer has not been decided yet. Does she stay with Mott? Or does she switch to her new owners trainer Todd Pletcher? Only time will tell.

Today 2yo Empire Way won at Hollywood in his first start. However, he did wear front bandages which could be a concern down the road. If he stays healthy and continues to move foward, he could be a horse with a serious chance on the Derby trail. We know the mile and quarter distance won't be a problem being by a Belmont winner out of a AP Indy mare who has already produced a full sister whose won at the distance.

Delta Princess also went through the ring (she and Royal Delta's owner passed away earlier this year, they went through the Keeneland sale ring as part of a dispersal) going for over 2 million in foal to Classic winning sire (and the sire to the horse who denyed Empire Maker the Derby) Distorted Humor to Adena Springs.

Those two are just gut checks, add in a third horse named Charm the Maker who won the Sharp Cat today.

Unfortanlly, we have to remeber that there are two parts of horse racing. Both are business and if a stallion is failing for the stallion owner, then well there might be an offer elsewhere (I'm not sure how well Empire Maker foals where doing in Japan before he was sold to stand there).

Currently two stallions are at Juddmonte's US farm. Mizzen Mast whose a turf longdistance specialist with some success and freshman stallion sprinter First Defence whose out of a half sister to Empire Maker. You have to wonder if they sent away the wrong stallion?