Keepcalmncruiseon (Catalina Cruiser-Whichwaydidshego by Storm Cat) winning at Assiniboia Downs in 2024. (Jason Halstead / Assiniboia Photo)
Manitoba Stallion Profile: Keepcalmncruiseon
(Catalina Cruiser-Whichwaydidshego by Storm Cat)
By G.S. Thompson
Lightly raced but regally bred, Keepcalmncruiseon introduces an exciting young son of Catalina Cruiser to Manitoba breeders.
Injured as a yearling, he was purchased in a package deal south of the border and started only twice as a 3-year-old for trainer Devon Gittens, finishing second in his first lifetime start and winning his second start last summer at Assiniboia Downs.
By multiple graded stakes winner Catalina Cruiser, a proven young sire whose first crop has already produced Grade 3 winner Artislas and Grade 1-placed Catalytic, Keepcalmncruiseon offers breeders access to the successful Union Rags sire line. Catalina Cruiser won multiple Grade 2 events including two editions of the Pat O’Brien Stakes at Del Mar.
Keepcalmncruiseon’s female family is deep with black type. His dam Whichwaydidshego has produced seven winners from ten starters, including three stakes winners. His most accomplished sibling is Mark My Way ($353,760), winner of two New York Stallion Stakes. Other notable siblings include Haul Anchor ($334,344), winner of the Damon Runyon Stakes and Gander Stakes, and Hard to Stay Notgo ($212,440), winner of the Franklin Square Stakes.
The depth of this female family continues into his second dam Spunoutacontrol, who is a half-sister to champion two-year-old Minardi and leading sire Tale of the Cat. She produced Grade 2 winner Fed Biz ($770,496), who became a leading sire in Canada, and Spun Silk, dam of Grade 1 Vosburgh Stakes winner Joking ($846,138).
Though lightly raced, Keepcalmncruiseon offers breeders an intriguing opportunity to access a deep stallion-making family. His pedigree features proven crosses of Storm Bird, Northern Dancer, and Mr. Prospector, providing multiple opportunities for successful breeding patterns.
Keepcalmncruiseon will be standing at Maggie Lawson’s Dunroven Farm in Rosser, Manitoba. For breeding information and bookings, please contact Dr. Betty Hughes at (204) 864-2281.