Prominent Maryland stallion Two Punch was euthanized Saturday, June 25, due to the infirmities of old age at Northview Stallion Station near Chesapeake City, Md. The son of Mr. Prospector out of champion Heavenly Cause (by Grey Dawn II) was 28.
“Two Punch had been an integral part of Northview Stallion Station since we opened our doors in 1989,” said Richard Golden, Northview Stallion Station co-owner and managing partner. “He sired an Eclipse Award winner, has become an excellent broodmare sire, and has had an auction record that was the best in the region. And he remained popular to the end.”
A Kentucky-bred, Two Punch raced as a homebred for Eleanor R. Ryan. Campaigned by Ross Valley Farm and trained by Woody Stephens, Two Punch won four of eight races and earned $89,795. He captured the 1986 Bachelor Stakes at Oaklawn Park and ran third in that year’s Swale Stakes at Gulfstream Park.
Two Punch was named Maryland's stallion of the year three times (1994, ‘95, and ‘97). He has sired the earners of more than $49 million, with 81% starters from foals and 62% winners from foals. His runners earned in excess of $1 million per year every year from 1992 to 2010, and his 2011 earnings exceed $700,000 through June 26.
Two Punch is the sire of 54 stakes winners including Eclipse Award-winning sprinter and successful sire Smoke Glacken; grade I winner Taking Risks; and multiple graded stakes winner Punch Line. His 54th stakes winner came when Bold Affair won the $200,000 Jostle Stakes June 11 at Parx Racing.
Two Punch is represented this year by 38 juveniles and 33 yearlings. Sixteen of the 21 mares bred to him this year have been pronounced in foal.