A record-breaking Group One winner, Northern Meteor is by Champion Sire Encosta de Lago, from the family of Champion Sires Sadler’s Wells, Nureyev, Fairy King (sire of Encosta de Lago) and Stormy Atlantic.
Encosta de Lago has enjoyed tremendous success with mares descending from Sir Tristram, siring stakes winners from daughters of Zabeel (who brings in Nureyev, from Northern Metetor’s own family, and is the sire of Octagonal and his son Lohnro), Sovereign Red, and Marauding.
Encosta de Lago has also enjoyed success with mares descending from that other great domestic strain, Star Kingdom, through Bletchingly (including Group One winners out of mares by Canny Lad and Kenny’s Best Pal) and Marscay.
Although he is a Northern Dancer line sire, Encosta de Lago has enjoyed success when crossed back over mares from that sire line. Broodmare sires that have enjoyed success under Encosta de Lago include Last Tycoon, Alzao, Be My Guest, and Caerleon (by Nijinsky II).
Northern Meteor is half-brother to the talented Queen of the Hill (by Danehill) and the Dam of Smart Missile (by Fastnet Rock). Encosta de Lago has already sired twelve stakes winners out of mares from the Danehill line, and looks particularly interesting with mares by Flying Spur. It could also be worth considering bringing in Danzig through Anabaa, Perugino (three-parts-brother to Fairy King, and sire of Testa Rossa) and Green Desert.
Northern Meteor is out of a mare by Fappiano, an outstanding sons of Mr. Prospector, and it may pay to try Northern Meteor back over Mr. Prospector line mares. Encosta de Lago already has stakes winners out of mares descending from Mr. Prospector through Belloto, Thunder Gulch, Umatilla, Defensive Play and Unbridled’s Song (which would give inbreeding to Fappiano). Jade Robbery and Geiger Counter would both give inbreeding to the Rough Shod II family.
Encosta de Lago has a stakes winner out of a Don’t Say Halo mare (by Halo, and brings in Never Bend, who is excellent with Fairy King). Northern Meteor should also be very good with Halo, through More Than Ready.
Thatching is by Thatch, a close relative to both the granddam of Fairy King, and the granddam of Northern Meteor and suitable sources include Archway, Rustic Amber (and his son Sequalo).
