THIRTEEN stallions with their first European runners this year have been making an early impact, and this week I will take a quick gallop through the list. Given copy deadlines, it is likely that some of the numbers mention will have been improved on by the time you read this, but the race to be leading first season sire is still a live one.

At the time of penning this piece, Kildangan Stud’s Blue Point (Shamardal) leads the way with 25 individual winners, three of whom have been stakes winners. Big Evs added the Group 3 Molecomb Stakes to success in the Listed Windsor Castle Stakes, while the unbeaten Rosallion and dual winner Action Point are stakes winners. Going to stud at €45,000, but available for €35,000 this year, Blue Point is odds on to be a big riser when 2024 fees are announced.