CURLIN’s fee for 2023 at Hill ‘n’ Dale was increased from $175,000 to $225,000, and was announced before the Breeders’ Cup.

At the meeting he sired three Grade 1 winners, Malathaat in the Distaff, Elite Power in the Sprint and Cody’s Wish in the Dirt Mile. He looks assured of a top-three finish now this season, and perhaps that fee could have been set at $250,000 had his owners waited. That said, champion sire-elect Into Mischief will command a quarter of a million in 2023, while the likely runner-up Quality Road is set to cover at $200,000.