A group winner in the United States, stands for two seasons at Los Turfistas and now resides at Don Yayo; his first crop consists of 42 offspring
By Diego H. Mitagstein
Talking about Kitten’s Joy means discussing one of the finest turf sires in the United States in recent times. A horse that had a remarkable racing career, but once he arrived at stud, he took on a new dimension, one of a true enhancer, with tremendous support from his breeders and owners, Ken and Sarah Ramsey.
A son of El Prado, the grey stallion who kept the flame of Sadler's Wells (Northern Dancer) alive in the U.S., Kitten’s Joy won 9 of his 14 starts, including victories in the Secretariat Stakes (G1) and the Joe Hirsch Classic (G1), which earned him the Eclipse Award as Champion Turf Horse of 2004.
From Ramsey Farm, he began to make a name for himself, so much so that in 2018, he moved to Hill’n’Dale Farm, where he passed away on July 15, 2022, at the age of 21, due to what was believed to be a heart attack while spending time in his paddock.
Few know that the Ramseys almost didn’t get to enjoy Kitten’s Joy, as in the 2003 Ocala 2-Year-Olds in Training Sale, he went for $95,000 when his reserve was $99,000. Failing to meet his reserve, he was sent to Dale Romans’ barn, and the rest is history.
At stud, Kitten’s Joy was sensational, producing G1 winners like Big Blue Kitten, Stephanie’s Kitten, Real Solution, Admiral Kitten, Kitten’s Dumplings, Bobby’s Kitten, Divisidero, Chiropractor, Hawkbill, Sadler’s Joy, Oscar Performance, the European Horse of the Year Roaring Lion, Henley’s Joy, Kameko, and Tripoli, winner of the Pacific Classic on Del Mar’s dirt.
The story of Kitten’s Joy is relevant because in 2025, the first yearlings sired by Have At It, a son of the champion, will arrive in the rings in Argentina. Have At It, who currently stands at Haras Don Yayo after previously covering mares at Los Turfistas, is carrying on the legacy of his great father.
Have At It, a son of Akronism (Not for Love), had a solid career in the United States, winning 3 of his 16 starts and earning $495,633 in prize money. His most notable victory came in the Hill Prince Stakes (G3) at Belmont Park, and he also placed second in the Twilight Derby (G2) at Del Mar and the Better Talk Now Stakes (L) at Saratoga.
His first crop in Argentina consists of 42 offspring — 19 colts and 23 fillies — with support from Juan Antonio, Don Yayo, and private breeders. Among the classic-producing mares he was bred to are Equal Felicidad (Equal Stripes), Liz for Sale (Not for Sale), Piedra de Luna (Lookin At Lucky), Anaun (Interaction), Yes My Love (Lookin At Lucky), and others.
Have At It offers owners — and breeders, of course — a different branch of a widely recognized bloodline, continuing the legacy of his formidable sire and, ideally, positioning himself as a horse to seriously consider for middle and long-distance turf races. Fun fact: In Brazil, Camelot Kitten, another son of Kitten’s Joy, is performing very well...
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