Classic-winning millionaire Union Rags is the leading sixth-crop sire by cumulative G1W, GSW, G1H and GSH. He’s sired five individual Grade 1 winners in Free Drop Billy, Paradise Woods, Union Strike, Dancing Rags, and most recently Express Train in the Santa Anita Handicap (G1). Express Train continued his success in 2022, winning the San Pasqual Stakes (G2) for the second year in a row. He also had a new two-year-old stakes in 2022 Born Dapper, who romped to victory in the Selima Stakes. 2021 graded stakes winners include Express Train in the San Antonio Stakes (G2) and San Diego Handicap (G2), Caramel Swirl, winning the Raven Run Stakes (G2), and Bees and Honey in the Comely S. (G3). Other graded stakes performers include Nova Rags, Dynamic One, Spielberg and Saguaro Row.
Union Rags has seen yearling and two-year-old sales up to $1,000,000.
The son of Dixie Union is out of the Gone West mare Tempo, and comes from the family of multiple G1 winner Declaration of War and graded winners Vertiformer, Terpsichorist and Pratella, to name a few.
There are six stakes winners by Dixie Union and sons out of A.P. Indy-line mares, including A.P. Indy himself, as well as Mineshaft, Aptitude and Old Trieste. Dixie Union and sons have sired 21 stakes winners out Mr. Prospector-line mares, including through daughters of Smart Strike; Forty Niner and his sons Distorted Humor and Coronado’s Quest; Carson City (sire of City Zip); Unbridled’s Song; Machiavellian (sire of Street Cry and grandsire of Street Sense); Woodman; Fusaichi Pegasus; Allen’s Prospect; Fortunate Prospect; Naevus; and Robyn Dancer. Dixie Union is a Northern Dancer-line stallion, but he has enjoyed success when crossed back over other branches of the Northern Dancer line, and should do well with mares by Touch Gold, Awesome Again, Dehere, Silver Deputy, Theatrical, Tale of the Cat, Stormy Atlantic, Forest Wildcat, Forestry, Yankee Gentleman and Johannesburg.
Won Champagne S. [G1] at Belmont Park (8 fur., in 1:35.55, by 5 1/4, defeating Alpha, Right to Vote, Takes the Gold, etc.), Three Chimneys Saratoga Special S. [G2] at Saratoga (6.5 fur., in 1:18.33, by 7 1/4, defeating Stat, Indian Evening, Banner Bill, etc.), a maiden special weight race at Delaware Park (5 fur., in 58.25, defeating Jake N Elwood, Freddie One Bite, Mark Valeski, etc.), 2nd Grey Goose Breeders’ Cup Juvenile [G1] (8.5 fur., to Hansen, by a head, defeating Creative Cause, Dullahan, etc.)
WON Belmont S [G1] at Belmont Park (12 fur., in 2:30.42, defeating Paynter, Atigun, Street Life, etc.), Fasig-Tipton Fountain of Youth S [G2] at Gulfstream Park (8.5 fur., in 1:42.68, by 4, defeating News Pending, Discreet Dancer, Neck ‘n Neck, etc.), 3rd Florida Derby [G1] at Gulfstream Park (9 fur., to Take Charge Indy, Reveron, defeating El Padrino, etc).
