Brother Derek (2003 bay by Benchmark out of Miss Soft Sell, by Siyah Kalem)

Stands at Airdrie Stud for $10,000 live foal

Brother Derek’s sire, Benchmark, has done far more than his fair share to keep alive the sire line of Alydar. A seriously useful sire who has spent his entire career based in California at River Edge Farm, Benchmark has proven an even better sire than a racehorse, and on his best form, he won a trio of Grade 2 stakes.

Clearly, Brother Derek, a Grade 1 winner at 2 and 3, is the best racer for his sire, although Idiot Proof and Silent Sighs also won at Grade 1 level. A round-bodied and attractive bay, Brother Derek has big, bold eye and an intelligent expression with a big star on his forehead. He has a very good shoulder and hindquarter, which is notable for its muscle power and depth.

A very well-balanced horse, Brother Derek has outstanding leverage through his hindquarters, and he was able to use his natural athleticism to place himself competitively in races and finish well.

Like his sire, Brother Derek shows the benevolent influence of the great sire Danzig (broodmare sire of Benchmark and an outstanding influence for quality and quickness). A bigger and more substantial horse than his sire standing more than 16.1, Brother Derek is inbred to Raise a Native and offers breeders an option to use that line through a relatively scarce male branch.