Darby Dan Farm’s Higher Power, a Grade 1-winning millionaire by Medaglia d’Oro, sired his first reported foal on Jan. 26 when a filly out of the Curlin mare Curlita was born at Julie Rini’s Crowning Point Farm. Bred by Deann Baer, the filly hails from the family of stakes winner and Graded stakes-placed Daring Reality and Grade 3 stakes winner Ski Dancer.
Higher Power, a dominant 5 ¼-length winner of the 2019 Pacific Classic (G1) at Del Mar with a career-best 107 Beyer Speed Figure, was a five-time winner of nearly $1.6 million. In addition to his scintillating score in the Pacific Classic, he also placed in the Breeders’ Cup Classic (G1), Hollywood Gold Cup (G1), and Awesome Again S. (G1) for owner Hronis Racing and trainer John Sadler.
While his biggest career victory was achieved at the classic distance of 1 ¼ miles, Higher Power was also precocious. He broke his maiden at two and captured his 3-year-old debut at Oaklawn Park, defeating subsequent Graded stakes-winning millionaire New York Central.
By elite sire Medaglia d’Oro, Higher Power was bred in Kentucky by Pin Oak Stud. He is produced from the multiple stakes-winning Seattle Slew mare Alternate, who is also the dam of multiple Graded stakes winner Alternation and multiple stakes winner Interrupted. Alternate is a half-sister to 1995 Canadian Horse of the Year and multiple Grade 1 winner Peaks and Valleys from the family of Grade 1 winner Mucho Gusto.
Higher Power bred 152 mares in his first season at stud and will stand the upcoming breeding season for $10,000 S&N. For more information about Higher Power, please contact Ryan Norton at (859) 254-0424 or e-mail him at [email protected].
