DALLAS, TX—JANUARY 1, 2019—New Mexico based sire Big Daddy Cartel returned to the top of the sire's list in 2018 for third-crop stallions with earnings of $2,280,173. The multiple stakes siring son of Corona Cartel had 55 winners and five stakes winners 2018.

Owned by MJ Farms of Veguita, New Mexico, Big Daddy Cartel's seven graded stakes runners in 2018 were led by Zia QH Derby winner Bigg Daddy.

He also sired New Mexico Fillies and Mares Championship winner Mamacita Cartel, New Mexico State Fair Breeders' Futurity winner Legend Of The Vine, Zia Handicap winner Cartels Star Daddy.

In three crops to race, Big Daddy Cartel has sired 86 winners, 19 black type (11%), earners of over $4.5 million with average earnings of $25,157.

High Rate Of Return, a son of leading sire Mr Jess Perry who died last year, is the #2 Leading Sire Third-Crop Sire of Money Earners in 2018 with $1,309,541.

A sire of 32 winners and three stakes winners in 2018, High Rate Of Return's leading money earner was West Texas Futurity(G2) winner Suze Returns ($371,468). The 2-year-old filly was also second in the Grade 1 Ruidoso Futurity and third in the Grade 1 Southwest Juvenile Championship.

High Rate Of Return was also represented by Grade 3 Oklahoma-Futurity runner-up Reggies Bailbond, and stakes winners High Rate of Motion and Saratoga Return.

In two crops to race he has sired earners of over $2 million and 10% stakes horses that averaged $16,441 per starters. The 9-year-old stallion formerly stood at Bob Moore Farms near Norman, Oklahoma.

Last year's Leading Second Crop Sire, world champion One Dashing Eagle came in as the #3 Leading Third-Crop Sire of Money Earners in 2018 with $1,216,988.

The son of leading sire One Famous Eagle had 60 winners from 129 starters, led by Hobbs America Futurity(G2) winner Eagle Coast SI 96 ($234,648). He was also represented by stakes winners Dashing Brooks, One Dashing Dream and Dashing Sashay.

In three crops to race he has sired earners of $3.35 million, 108 winners, 17 black type (9%) with average earnings per starter of $18,000. One Dashing Eagle will stand his first season in Louisiana in 2019 at Tate Farms.

Homer "Bud" Hill's stakes winning Valiant Hero son Mighty B Valiant ended the year as the #4 Leading Third-Crop sire with 32 winners on 63 starters, 3 stakes winners and earnings of $888,659.

Two-time 2018 stakes winner Wrs Valentino SI 94 was his sire's leading money earner with $152,695. Mighty B Valiant was also represented by OHA Mystery Futurity winner Might B Magic SI 99 ($115,367) and WHR Open Futurity winner Mighty B Royal. Another 2-year-old Wii B SI 103 ($81,914) was second in the Evangeline Downs Futurity and Retama Juvenile Challenge.

In three crops to race, Mighty B Valiant has sired 58 winners, 11 stakes horses (13%), $1.5 million in earners with average earnings of $17,900. He stands at Nobel Equine Veterinary Services in Purcell, Oklahoma.

Grade 1-placed Tee Cos rounds out the "Top Five" Third-Crop Sires' list of Money Earners with $575,596. The son of leading sire Corona Cartel had 25 winners in 2018, led by two-time derby winner Walcott SI 95 ($91,145), winner of the Altoona Derby and Mile High Derby. He was also represented by Mardi Gras Derby third-place finisher Cos I Get It SI 97.

Owned by Tee Cos Partnership and standing at Blanchett Farms near Ville Platte, Louisiana, Tee Cos has sired 53 winners, 6 black type, earners of $1.59 million and average earnings of over $17,300 in three crops to race.

Completing the Top Ten Leading Third-Crop Sires of Money Earners list for 2018 are:

• #6 Sizzlin Cartel ($493,027) / Jumonville Farms (LA)
• #7 Whathaveigottado ($349,034) / Dale Rogers (LA)
• #8 Lil Kool Wagon ($308,956) / Charette-Hill Racing (OK)I
• #9 Texas Icon ($296,246) / Fales Ranch (AZ)
• #10 Rapid Fire Jess($247,173) / Unknown

For the "Top 25" Leading Third-Crop Sires of Money Earners in 2018 CLICK HERE.