By G.S. Thompson
Today we begin profiling Manitoba stallions that have registered for the lucrative stallion and breeding programs offered by CTHS Manitoba. We’ll start with Ami’s Holiday and Following Sea, both graded stakes winners, and one who is already a proven sire. There will be an excellent selection of stallions to choose from this spring for Manitoba mare owners!
Manitoba Stallion Profile: Ami’s Holiday
(Harlan’s Holiday-Victorious Amy by Victory Gallop)
Ami's Holiday (Harlan's Holiday-Victorious Amy by Victory Gallop)
A multiple Black Type Graded stakes winner on all-weather and turf and graded stakes placed on dirt, Ami’s Holiday offers Manitoba breeders access to a prolific sire line.
By sire of sires Harlan’s Holiday, whose son Into Mischief is the six-time reigning Champion General Sire in North America with progeny including Kentucky Derby (G1) winner Authentic and Breeders’ Cup Juvenile (G1) winner Citizen Bull, Ami’s Holiday brings significant sire power to Manitoba.
Harlan’s Holiday sired 93 black-type winners including champion and Breeders’ Cup Juvenile (G1) winner Shanghai Bobby. On the dam side, Ami’s Holiday is out of stakes winner Victorious Ami, making him a half-brother to Canadian champion Ami’s Mesa, who earned $706,148 and placed second in the Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Sprint (G1).
On the track, Ami’s Holiday proved both versatile and tough, earning $817,773 while competing at the highest levels in Canada. His signature victories came in the Grey Stakes (G3) at two and the 12-furlong Breeders’ Stakes on turf at three. He also finished second in the Queen’s Plate, third in the Prince of Wales Stakes, and hit the board in multiple graded stakes including the Ontario Derby (G3), and Ben Ali Stakes (G3) at Keeneland.
From 102 foals to date, Ami’s Holiday has sired 43 winners (42%) and two black-type winners plus five black-type placed runners from 64 starters. His progeny have earned over $3.1 million, averaging nearly $50,000 per starter. His top performer H C Holiday ($267,742) placed in both the Queen’s Plate and Plate Trial Stakes, while stakes winners Jim’s Hope and Bossy Holiday have found success in Ontario-restricted company.
For more information about breeding to Ami’s Holiday contact Wayne King at 2 Points Ranch at (204) 781-0045.
Manitoba Stallion Profile: Following Sea
(Runhappy-Quick Flip by Speightstown)
Following Sea wins the 2021 Vosburgh Stakes (G2) at Belmont Park. (Coglianese Photos)
Grade 2 winner Following Sea brings high-level racing credentials to Manitoba for the 2025 breeding season.
An $855,620 earner, Following Sea combines elite bloodlines with proven Grade 1 class. The son of champion sprinter Runhappy earned his signature victory in the 2021 Vosburgh Stakes (G2) at Belmont Park, while also placing in four Grade 1 events including the Haskell Stakes, Cigar Mile, Breeders’ Cup Sprint, and H. Allen Jerkens Memorial.
“Following Sea is great looking and an outstanding mover,” said trainer Todd Pletcher. “He had tons of speed.”
Following Sea’s sire Runhappy was one of the most brilliant sprinters of his generation, setting a track record of 1:08.58 in winning the 2015 Breeders’ Cup Sprint (G1) at Keeneland. The Eclipse Award-winning sprinter also captured the King’s Bishop Stakes (G1) and Malibu Stakes (G1) during a career that saw him earn $1,496,250 without ever racing on Lasix.
Following Sea represents a significant addition to the Western Canadian stallion ranks. “This is an incredible stallion prospect to stand in Manitoba,” noted Derek MacKenzie of Vinery Sales. “I would expect mares to travel within Manitoba to him, and for breeders to send mares from other Western provinces and most likely some from Ontario and the USA as well.”
Following Sea stands at Rivard Stables in St. Eustache, Manitoba. For breeding information and bookings, contact Garry Naherniak at (204) 821-5594.