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FIRST DOWN DASH 2006 SIRE OF THE YEAR
BONSALL, CA—March 19, 2007—Coming off the biggest single year ever for a stallion, First Down Dash went over the $60 million mark in progeny career earnings last week.
The 22-year-old stallion is $20 million ahead of his sire Dash For Cash, whose last crop raced in 1996 and earned in excess of $39.9. In 2006 First Down Dash's progeny earned a record $6,549,242, siring three of the top four 2006 money earners in No Secrets Here ($1,375,745), 2006 World Champion Wave Carver ($1,011,196) and 2006 Champion Two-Year-Old Colt FDD Dynasty ($945,2660).
From 19 crops to race, he has sired 198 stakes winners, 181 stakes-placed, 29 champions and 4 world champions with average earnings per starter of $45,437. Through last week the former World Champion had sired $60,022,049 in money earners.
"On behalf of our horse, and family, and all of his syndicate members we are excited to share another piece of history from First Down Dash," said Frank "Scoop" Vessels.
Mildred Vessels purchased First Down Dash as a yearling from the Phillips Ranch Sale in 1985. He won 13 of 15 starts while earning $857,256. The 1987 AQHA Racing World Champion, Champion Three Year Old and Champion Three Year Old Colt won the Champion of Champions(G1), Dash For Cash Futurity(G1), Kindergarten Futurity (G1), Los Alamitos Derby (G1), Dash For Cash Derby (G1), QHBC Championship Classic (G1), and the Laddie Handicap (G2).
A.F Stanley, Jr. and B.F. Phillps, Jr. bred the sorrel stallion out of the Gallant Jet mare First Prize Rose. His full sister First Prize Dash was named the 2006 AQHA Racing Broodmare of the Year when she produced three grade 1 two-year-olds last season, First Prize Robin ($295,147), First Carolina ($293,966), First Prize Perry ($241,226) and another son, Heza Fast Dash, was the #2 Leadings First Year Sire of Money Earners.