Leading sire El Prado experienced declining fertility during the 2009 breeding season at Frank Stronach’s Adena Springs Stud in Kentucky.  A 20-year-old son of Sadler’s Wells, El Prado covered 54 mares in 2009 at a US$75,000 service fee.

El Prado has sired 74 stakes winners including hot young stallion Medaglia d’Oro.  “He’s an older horse, and his fertility is declining, but he’s definitely not done,” Adena manager Eric Hamelback revealed.  “He had 76% of his mares in foal, but his fertility declined later in the season.  We reduced his numbers and he managed one mare a day.”

Besides Medaglia d’Oro, his offspring includes G1 Breeders’ Cup Mile winner Artie Schiller who shuttles to Independent Stallion at Nagambie.

“He will continue to cover mares in 2010 if he remains healthy,” Hamelback added.  “We want to make sure we do right by El Prado because he definitely has done right by us.  Mr. Stronach is always one to take care of the horse first.”