Aly Dark (Thoroughbred: Alydar – Moonlight Jig, by Jig Time) has been named as the recipient of the 2003 South Pacific Memorial Award.

Aly Dark (deceased) has ranked among the leading sires of show jumpers in the United States for the past few years primarily due to the earnings of his son Bradford (Thoroughbred: Aly Dark – Virablee, by Pirateer) who has amassed over $165,000 in Grand Prix earnings since 1995.

The South Pacific Memorial Award recognizes the top ranked U.S.-based sire of show jumpers and was created by Joan Irvine Smith of The Oaks, in memory of her flagship stallion South Pacific (Holsteiner: Silvester – Kamara, by Cor de la Bryere). To be considered, a stallion must be based in the United States and at least 75% of the progeny earnings must be from offspring born in North America.

Aly Dark joins the inaugural winner, Hamilton Farms’ Galoubet A (Selle Francais, Alme’ – Viti, by Nystag), sire of three-time World Cup Champion Baloubet du Rouet ridden by Rodrigo Pessoa.

Top ten ranking for the 2003 South Pacific Memorial Award:

1. Aly Dark (Thoroubhred: Alydar - Moonlight Jig, by Jig Time)

2. Consul (Dutch Warmblood: Nimmerdor – Waloniki, by Purioso)

3. Guilty Conscience (Thoroughbred: Court Ruling – Gracefully, by *Gallant Man)

4. Pleasure Prize (Thoroughbred: What a Pleasure - Small Prize, by Swoon’s Son)

5. Galoubet A (Selle Francais: Alme' – Viti, by Nystag)

6. Alybrave (Thoroughbred: Alydar - Bold'n Determined, by Bold and Brave)

7. Ocean II (Holsteiner: South Pacific – Renee, by Ramzes AA)

8. VIP (Dutch Warmblood: Joost - Rubertha)

9. Contango (Dutch Warmblood: Contender - Adisa III, by Kronprinz xx)

10.Kabaret (Holsteiner: Cabinett I – Kleeblume, by Sherry Netherland xx)

The South Pacific Memorial Award will be presented Friday, January 16, during the Pegasus Awards Dinner held as part of the 2004 U.S. Equestrian Annual Meeting at the Millennium Biltmore Hotel in Los Angeles, CA.

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