Breeding


Valiant Hero Sires Another Graded Stakes Qualifier Early in 2026 Season
Valiant Sass, a two-year-old colt by Valiant Hero and owned by Elizabeth Logan, qualifies for the $435,395 Oklahoma Futurity (G2) finals on Friday night at Remington Park.

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Valiant Hero Sires Another Graded Stakes Qualifier Early in 2026 Season

By Leann Noguera, StallioneSearch

GUTHRIE, OK–MARCH 7, 2026– Champion sire Valiant Hero is off to a strong start in the 2026 racing season, siring a Grade 1 winner at Sunland Park in February and adding a new graded stakes qualifier following the opening night of Oklahoma Futurity (G2) trials at Remington Park.

Valiant Sass qualified for the $435,395 Oklahoma Futurity (G2) after finishing second in his trial on Friday evening at Remington Park. The two-year-old colt, owned by Elizabeth Logan, posted a time of 15.746 seconds, fast enough from the first night of trials to secure a berth in the final scheduled for March 21.

Valiant Hero has been one of the sport’s most reliable sires from his 16 crops to race. The champion sire has runners earning more than $32.3 million, averaging over $37,000 per starter. His progeny include 146 black-type runners, representing approximately 17 percent of his starters.

Among his most recent standouts in 2026 is Toastin Heros SI 106, who delivered Valiant Hero’s latest Grade 1 victory in the $350,000 Championship at Sunland Park (G1) on February 7.

Ridden by Jacob Enriquez, Toastin Heros completed the 440 yards in 21.154 seconds while earning a 99 speed index. He races for breeder Gene Cox and is trained by Clinton Crawford. His dam is Toastin With Coronas, a stakes-placed mare by Coronas Leaving You.

Toastin Heros entered the race already established as a stakes performer. He won the La Fiesta Derby in 2025 and was also a finalist in the Remington Park Derby (G1), Heritage Place Derby (G2) and West Texas Derby (G3). The $157,000 winner’s share from the Sunland Park Championship increased his lifetime earnings to $344,647 and improved his career record to seven wins from 16 starts.

Valiant Hero is the sire of five millionaires, including Feature Hero SI 99 ($1,418,960, All American Derby-G1), Houdini SI 105 ($1,223,198, Rainbow Derby-G1), Ima Fearless Hero SI 92 ($1,062,435, Los Alamitos Two Million Futurity-G1), First Valiant Sign SI 99 ($1,053,844, Ruidoso Futurity-G1, Texas Classic Derby-G1) and Sam Crow SI 103 ($1,013,025, Mr. Jet Moore Stakes-G2).

With a Grade 1 winner already on the board for 2026 and a new graded futurity finalist emerging early in the season, Valiant Hero’s influence is once again prominent among the sport’s leading sires.

For more information on Valiant Hero or breeding contracts, contact Monty McNair, Ranch Manager, at 405-282-3437 or email ranchinfo@lazye.com. Additional details are available at www.lazyeranch.com.

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