Stallion Spotlight Presented By New York Thoroughbred Breeders Inc.: Slumber's Strike Rate Stands Out In Empire State

Stallion Spotlight Presented By New York Thoroughbred Breeders Inc.: Slumber's Strike Rate Stands Out In Empire State originally appeared on Paulick Report.

Stallion Spotlight offers stud farm representatives a chance to address breeders and answer questions as they plan their future matings.

In this installment, Erin Robinson of Rockridge Stud discusses Slumber, a Grade 1 winner and sire of Grade 2-winning millionaire Fluffy Socks.

Slumber
B. h., 2008, Cacique x Sound Asleep, by Woodman
Race Record: 27-5-6-5; $1,477,162
Advertised Fee: $7,500

Question: What makes Slumber an attractive sire for potential breeders?

Erin Robinson, Rockridge Stud: His strike rate. In 2024, he had 18.2 percent black type winners fromrunners and 27.3 percent black type horses from runners. That’s higher than any other stallion standing in the state of Kentucky. To put it in perspective, Vekoma has 16.5 percent black type horses from runners.

If I have a mare that needs help from a stallion from a conformational standpoint, what can Slumber contribute to that equation?

Robinson: Slumber has tremendous scope, and he passes that on in his progeny.

Are there certain physical or pedigree crosses that you have found produce the best foals by Slumber, either from a conformation standpoint or on-track performance?

Robinson: You certainly want to breed mares with turf pedigrees to him. Mares from the El Prado sireline seem particularly well-suited, like Kitten’s Joy and Medaglia D’Oro.

The New York circuit is set to undergo some major changes, with Belmont Park adding an all-weather track, planning to use it full-time for winter racing, and making their dirt surface similar to that in Saratoga. How do you think Slumber is equipped to handle those changes?

Robinson: The all-weather surface addition and expanded options for turf racing in the state are going to be ideal for Slumber’s runners. He (and War Dancer) are going to be the leading turf and all-weather sires in the Northeast for many years to come in all categories, I would imagine.

Slumber’s turf runners are winning races at an average distance of 1 1/16 miles, the highest figure among New York sires. How does that distance capability help separate Slumber in the New York sire ranks?

Robinson: On the whole, our industry isn’t breeding for the two-turn grass horse, and there are very few stallions who can fill that void. Just last year, the three highest-priced racing/broodmare prospects in the Fasig-Tipton November Sale: McKulick ($6 million), Ramatuelle ($5.1 million), and Moira ($4.3 million) – were all two-turn turf mares. I was telling someone the other day – everyone seems to be breeding for the classic races and they want to win the Derby, but if what they end up doing instead is breeding a multiple Grade 1-winning filly that they can sell for $5 million – go for it, all day.

Fluffy Socks was a national-level star for Slumber, as a multiple Grade 2 winner and seven-figure earner. How does she fit what you’ve come to expect from a runner by Slumber, and where does she exceed the median in that regard?

Robinson: Fluffy Socks certainly proved what Slumber is capable of producing, and what we already know he can get. She is certainly special, but knowing that this stallion can produce such a tryer (and she was – she showed up in every race), it’s a real selling point.

Who among the current crop of New York-sired Slumber runners has you the most excited?

Robinson: Some exciting up-and-comers: Coach Case (with Miguel Clement, who just broke his maiden on June 4^th), his 2-year-old full-brother Mister Bres (with Chad Brown), Coach Ryan (a 2-year-old with Chad Brown), 2-year-old Gilbane (with Miguel Clement), and 3-year-old Jack and Jim (a stakes winner at two) is expected to make a return to the worktab very soon.

Slumber was born in Great Britain, and has a European pedigree in his early generations, but his female family has many strong dirt runners, including champion Slew O’ Gold and multiple Grade 1 winner Aptitude. Have you seen evidence that some of that dirt influence could come through with Slumber’s runners?

Robinson: Not yet. We might see that as his numbers grow, but it’s pretty clear his progeny are best-suited, on the whole, for the grass.

What else should breeders know about Slumber before they pick up the phone?

Robinson: With any of our stallions, I’m going to steer you in the direction that I think will help you achieve the best improvement for your mare and/or the best sales outcome for your investment. We don’t offer any advice lightly, and I’m committed to helping our breeders be successful on every front.

This story was originally reported by Paulick Report on Aug 4, 2025, where it first appeared.

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