Always B Miki
NZ Book Full & Closed
(AU Book Full & Closed)
2, 1:53.2; 3, 1:47.8; 1:46 $2,826,176
Always A Virgin - Artstopper by Artsplace
- The 2016 US Horse of the Year and the equal fastest horse of all time
- Won an incredible four races in 1:47 or faster - no other stallion has done so more than once
- From the Western Ideal sire line, out of US Pacing Broodmare of the Year, Artstopper
- The Leading North American First Season Sire in 2020
- Sire of the 2020 US 2YO Pacing Colt of the Year Perfect Sting
- Already the sire of eight stakes performers from his first Southern Hemisphere crop of 2yos, including the Group 1 winners The Miki Taker and Tricky Miki
*Standing in Victoria, Australia at Alabar
Sire Line
Always A Virgin by Western Ideal from Neverhaveneverwill
Always A Virgin p3, 1:48.8 - $1,135,559.
An outstanding 3-year-old pacer Always A Virgin won over $1 million in stakes that year and numerous Grand Circuit features including the Cane Pace, Messenger Stakes, NJSS Final, Oliver Wendell Holmes, a division of the Bluegrass Stakes and a heat of the Little Brown Jug.
To date he is the sire of 244 winners of over $22 million, 60 $100,000 earners and 11 in sub 1:50.
His best progeny include:
Always B Miki 1:46 $2,826,176. World Champion. Fastest Standardbred in history.
Color's A Virgin (f) 1:49.4 $1,113,120. Dan Patch 3YO Pacing Filly of the Year.
Always About Katey (f) 1:51.6 $849,787
Always At My Place 1:47.4 $610,522
Sweet Talkin Satin 1:49.2 $501,469
Seventimesavirgin (f) 1:50.4 $491,640
Dam Line
Artstopper by Artsplace from Ain't No Stopn Me
The 2016 US Pacing Broodmare of the Year
Unraced, Artstopper has proven a broodmare gem in the breeding barn, leaving two millionaires from just six foals of racing age to date:
Dam of four winners – all 4 in sub 1:54 and 2 in 1:50 or better, incl:
Always B Miki 1:46 - $2,826,176. 30 wins. (Always A Virgin)
Yagonnakissmeornot (f) 1:49.6 - $1,517,507. 41 wins. (The Panderosa)
One Stop Deal 1:50.8 - $115,075. 11 wins. (Western Ideal)
2nd Dam:
Ain't No Stopn Me p3 1:55.2 $300,747 by Big Towner from Suave Almahurst.
A stakes winner at both two and three, Ain't No Stopn Me won the Pennsylvania Sires Stakes Final as a juvenile and the Helen Dancer Memorial as a 3-year-old.
She is the dam of four winners with all four winning over $100,000 in stakes:
Cheyenne Rei 1:51.2 - $729,933. 15 wins. (Western Hanover)
Cant Stop Me Now 1:51.2 - $191,839. 16 wins. (Western Ideal)
Aint No Stopn Us 1:52.8 - $129,889. 21 wins. (Western Hanover)
Cheyenne Tony Abbs 1:52 - $102,937. 12 wins. (Western Hanover)
RaceRecord
| Age | Starts | 1st | 2nd | 3rd | Money Won | Record Time |
| 2 | 12 | 2 | 4 | 3 | $135,384 | 1:53.2S |
| 3 | 19 | 12 | 4 | - | $794,707 | 1:47.8M |
| 4 | 4 | 4 | - | - | $365,915 | Q1:48.4M |
| 5 | 18 | 12 | 5 | - | $1,530,170 | 1:46M WR |
| TOTAL | 53 | 30 | 13 | 3 | $2,826,176 | 1:46M WR |
A stakes race performer and winner of over $135,000 at two, Always B Miki developed into one of North America's best 3-year-olds the following season, in what was a very competitive crop that included the likes of McWicked, JK Endofanera and He's Watching.
In addition to dominating his local Indiana Sires Stakes racing Always B Miki claimed divisions of the Tattersalls Pace, Bluegrass Stakes, Somebeachsomewhere Pace, Reynolds Memorial and his Breeders Crown elim. He also finished a phenomenal second in He's Watching world record run Meadowlands Pace after sitting three wide the entire way.
Going into the Breeders Crown Final on the back of a five race win streak, including a Crown elimination win over JK Endofanera and He's Watching, Always B Miki was one of the favourites to take out the end of year feature but was unfortunately scratched lame minutes before post time with what subsequently proved to be a fractured hind pastern.
Off the scene for almost a year and now with multiple screws inserted in both hind pasterns, Always B Miki returned in October of his 4-year-old year to win all four starts including the elim and Final of the Breeders Crown Open Pace and the American National Aged Pace - defeating the likes of battle hardened free-for-allers Foiled Again, State Treasurer, All Bets Off, Bettors Edge etc...
As a 5-year-old Always B Miki became a cult hero and etched his name in the record books as the fastest standardbred in history. His epic battles with the 2015 Horse of the Year Wiggle It Jiggleit captivated North American audiences with huge raceday crowds and intense interest whenever the pair lined up in the same event.
Always B Miki's victories included an elim and Final of the Ben Franklin Pace, elim and Final of the Breeders Crown Open Pace, the William Haughton Memorial, the Final of the TVG Pace, Mohawk Gold Cup, Jim Ewart Memorial, Hoosier Park Pacing Derby and of course his stunning world record 1:46 performance in the Allerage Farm Pace at the Red Mile on October 9 2016.
He also finished second in the Canadian Pacing Derby and the Dan Patch Invitational.
He became the first horse in history to record four wins in 1:47 or faster and in addition to his fastest mile ever title, shares the world record for a five-eighths track and holds the Canadian mile record.
His sensational 2016 season saw him voted not only the US Pacer of the Year but also the overall Horse of the Year.
Progeny
Always B Miki's oldest down-under progeny are 2-year-olds in 2021. As at October 3 2021, he is the sire of 23 Southern Hemisphere 2yo winners:
TRICKY MIKI p2, 1:56.9 - $92,709. 2 wins to date. At 2, won Golden Slipper (Gr.1); 3rd 2YO Westbred Classic (Gr.1). (Modern Art)
THE MIKI TAKER p2, 1:55.7 - $84,502. 3 wins to date. At 2, won 2YO Pearl Classic (Gr.1). (Art Major)
TAKING THE MIKI (f) p2, 1:54.2 - $78,204. 3 wins to date. At 2, won APG Gold Bullion Final (Gr.2); 2nd 2YO Diamond Classic (Gr.1), Westbred Classic (Gr.1) (Bettor's Delight)
MONTANA GLORY (f) p2, 1:55.5 - $55,529. 1 win to date. At 2, won Heat NZ Sires Stakes; 2nd Harness Jewels Diamond (Gr.1), Caduceus Club Fillies Classic (Gr.1); 3rd Sires Stakes Fillies Championship (Gr.1). (Mach Three)
FRANCO INDIE p2, 1:51.9 - $46,250. 4 wins to date. At 2, won 2x Sires Stakes Heats; 2nd Diamond Creek Farm Classic (Gr.2) (Christian Cullen)
YOU'RE SO FINE p2, 1:56.7 - $42,500. 1 win to date. At 2, won Diamond Creek Farm 2YO Classic (Gr.2); 3rd WA Golden Slipper (Gr.1), Kindergarten Stakes (Gr.3). (Falcon Seelster)
UNCLE MIKI p2, 1:57 - $26,660. 5 wins to date. At 2, 3rd Sapling Stakes (Gr.2). (Village Jasper)
PAUL EDWARD p2, 1:57.2 - $20,434. 2 wins to date. (Golden Greek)
CHAP DADDY p2, 1:57.6 - $17,579. 2 wins to date. (Grinfromeartoear)
I'LLAVABUBBLES (f) p2, 1:59.6- $16,170. 1 win to date. (Bettor's Delight)
FUTURE ASSURED p2, 1:55.3 - $15,891. 2 wins to date. (Art Major)
HES APPLES p2, 2:01.8 - $15,435. 1 win to date. (Art Major)
NOT TO BE DENIED (f) p2, 1:56.5 - $14,171. 3 wins from 3 starts to date. (Art Major)
MAGIC FEELING $11,550. 2 wins from 2 starts to date. (Fully Loaded)
Speedwagon $9,607. At 2, 3rd WA APG Colts & Geldings Sales Classic Final (Gr.1). (Rocknroll Hanover)
RICH BEAUTY (f) p2, 1:57.3 - $8,990. 2 wins from 2 starts to date. (Armbro Operative)
EVER HOPING p2, 1:58.4 $8,889. 2 wins to date. (Bettor's Delight)
GOING GREAT GUNS p2, 1:58.8 - $6,732. 1 win to date. (Vanston Hanover)
GOODTIME ROY p2, $5,586. 1 win to date. (Bettor's Delight)
FEELTHEJOY (f) p2, 1:57.3 - $5,500. 1 win to date. (Bettor's Delight)
WEONA SIR VIVOR $4,704. 1 win to date. (Jennas Beach Boy)
STAR CELEBRITY p2, 1:55.5 - $4,190. 1 win to date. (Mach Three)
THE CID p2, 1:57.9 - $4,190. 1 win to date. (Mach Three)
HONEYBUN $2,804. 1 win to date. (Art Major)
In North America his oldest crop are 3 in 2021. As at October 26 2021 he is the sire of 94 winners of over $8,777,000, incl:
PERFECT STING p2, 1:49.4; p3, 1:48.2 - $1,561,447. 10 wins from 10 starts at two. 16 wins to date. At 2, won 2x divs and Final KYSS, div Bluegrass Stks, div International Stallion Stks, elim and Final Breeders Crown. At 3, won elim North America Cup, heat Little Brown Jug, elim Breeders Crown, div PASS; 2nd Final Meadowlands Pace, North America Cup, Little Brown Jug, Tattersalls Pace, Max C Hempt Memorial; 3rd elim Meadowlands Pace. 2020 US 2YO Pacing Colt of the Year. (Bettor's Delight)
SOUTHWIND GENDRY p2, 1:50; p3 1:49.1 - $984,891. 13 wins to date. At 2, won PASS Final, div Bluegrass Stks, div International Stallion Stks, elim Breeders Crown, Matron Stakes, div Arden Downs, div Keystone Classic, The Elevation, div PASS; 3rd Final Breeders Crown. At 3, won elim Meadowlands Pace, 2x div PASS; 2nd elim Breeders Crown, div PASS; 3rd Final Meadowlands Pace, Tattersalls Pace, elim Adios. (Cams Card Shark)
GRACE HILL (f) p3, 1:49 - $713,195. 11 wins to date. At 2, won 3x divisions Pennsylvania Sires Stakes, Liberty Bell; 2nd PASS Final. At 3, won James M Lynch Memorial, Shady Daisy, PASS Final, div PASS, elim Breeders Crown; 2nd Nadia Lobell; 3rd Glen Garnsey. (Western Terror)
MONTE MIKI p2, 1:50.8 - $451,796. 6 wins to date. At 2, won Metro Pace Final, elim Breeders Crown; 3rd div International Stallion Stakes. (Camluck)
ALWAYS A MIKI p2, 1:50.4 - $390,032. 7 wins to date. At 2, won Governor's Cup, 2x div Pennsylvania Sires Stakes, div PA All Stars; 3rd div International Stallion Stks, elim Breeders Crown. (Somebeachsomewhere)
NIKI HILL (f) p2, 1:50.4 - $384,541. 6 wins from 7 starts to date. At 2, won elim and Final Shes A Great Lady, div International Stallion Stakes, div PASS, 2x legs Kindergarten Classic Series; 2nd elim Breeders Crown. (Bettor's Delight)
TRUE BLUE LINDY p2, 1:51.4 - $333,063. 5 wins to date. At 2, won PASS Final, div PASS, Dream Maker Final. (Yankee Cruiser)
JK ALWAYSBALADY (f) p2, 1:52.2 - $244,356. 2 wins to date. At 2, won div PASS, elim Breeders Crown; 2nd Final Breeders Crown; 3rd div Int. Stallion Stks, div Bluegrass Stks. (Art Major)
MIKALA (f) p3, 1:50.2 - $163,416. 5 wins to date. At 3, won 2x div PASS. (Somebeachsomewhere)
SO IRRESISTABLE (f) p3, 1:52.6 - $162,365. 6 wins to date. At 3, won 2 legs and Final Bobby Weiss Series. (Somebeachsomewhere).
HIT ME UP (f) p2, 1:52.1 - $152,062. 2 wins to date. At 2, won div PASS, div PA All Stars; 2nd PASS Final, 2x div PASS, Arden Stks. (Somebeachsomewhere)
BILLY CLYDE p3, 1:50.6Q - $160,535. 5 wins to date. At 3, 2nd PASS Final; 3rd div PASS. (Badlands Hanover)
OFF THE RECORD (f) p3, 1:51 - $135,672. 3 wins to date. At 2, won leg Kindergarten Classic Series; 2nd Final Kindergarten Classic. (Well Said)
NASHVILLE ELEGANA (f) p3, 1:50.2 - $132,722. 5 wins to date. At 3, won Lynch Memorial Consolation. (Riverboat King)
INCASEYOUDIDNTKNOW (f) p3, 1:52.4 - $92,143. 8 wins to date. At 3, won 3 legs Weiss Series; 3rd Bobby Weiss Series Final. (Ponder)
ALWAYS B SWEET p3, 1:50.2 - $84,357. 4 wins to date. At 2, 2nd leg Kindergarten Classic. (Yankee Cruiser)
Mating Hints
From the Western Ideal sire line and out of the reigning US Broodmare of the Year, who is by Artsplace, the fastest standardbred of all time, Always B Miki has a terrific pedigree that should suit most Southern Hemisphere broodmares - particularly as it has an absence of Cam Fella blood lines.
With no Cam Fella blood in his pedigree whatsoever Always B Miki offers a fantastic outcross for mares from this sire line, with daughters of Bettors Delight, Fake Left, Armbro Operative, Presidential Ball, Washington VC, Precious Bunny, Four Starzzz Shark, Blissfull Hall, Pacific Fella, Camtastic, Cameleon all good options for the 1:46 pacer.
Abercrombie line mares have also crossed well with sons of Western Ideal and with Always B Miki's dam by Artsplace this should be reinforced even more so.
Abercrombie line stallions inlcude Art Major, Grinfromeartoear, Artiscape, Astreos, Modern Art, Albert Albert, Sportswriter, Life Sign, Dream Away, Pacific Rocket, Panorama, etc.
Art Major and Sportswriter mares are a particularly interesting match given the presence of Big Towner in their pedigrees.
The Western Ideal sire line (Rocknroll Hanover, American Ideal, Rock N Roll Heaven etc...) has crossed well to date with mares by Direct Scooter line stallions - so mares by the likes of In The Pocket, Christian Cullen, Mach Three, Courage Under Fire, Somebeachsomewhere, Captaintreacherous, Changeover and OK Bye are all good choices for the 2016 US Horse of the Year.
In recent years duplicating No Nukes on both sides of the pedigree has produced some outstanding pacers (Terror To Love, Bling It On) so mares by No Nukes line stallions like Live Or Die, Badlands Hanover, Western Terror, P-Forty Seven, Safely Kept, Jereme's Jet, Village Jasper etc... are more than suitable.
Always B Miki contains multiple crosses of Big Towner and it is worth noting that duplicating Big Towner through a sire and a dam has produced very good results - so mares containing Big Towner could very well be a great option for Always B Miki.