Although all-time leading Texas sire Valid Expectations has been retired from stud duty, the stallion is still having an impact on the breed and over the weekend was the broodmare sire of Grade 1 winner Don’t Tell Sophia. The 6-year-old mare, who was bred by Robert and Janice’s McNair’s Texas-owned Stonerside Stable, came from last to first to upset Sunday’s $500,000 Juddmonte Spinster Stakes at Keeneland. The victory earned her an automatic berth in the Breeders’ Cup Distaff (G1) at Santa Anita on October 31. Her earnings now stand at more than $979,000.
Don’t Tell Sophia, by Congaree, is co-owned by trainer Philips Sims and Texas Thoroughbred Association member Jerry Namy. Her dam is the Grade 2-placed Lost Expectations, who was from the first crop of Valid Expectations when he stood in Florida. Valid Expectations, who stood at Lane’s End Texas for most of his career, has sired the earners of more than $30 million. He is the sire of Grade 1 winner Saratoga County, putting him in an elite club of stallions who has sired a Grade 1 winner and a Grade 1 producer.