Triple Crown winner Seattle Slew is heading back to the breeding shed in 2001 after recovering from neck surgery in April and passing recent semen tests that indicate his fertility problems were temporary.

Robert Clay, owner of Three Chimneys Farm in Midway, Ky., where the 26-year-old former champion resides, called the development “a great Christmas present —for him and for us.” Clay said he expects Seattle Slew to be bred to a book of 46 mares on share holder or breeding right holder seasons. “One or two shareholders have indicated to me they will put their seasons on the market and the price they have mentioned is $300,000 guaranteed live foal,” Clay said.

Last January, a lack of coordination was detected in the 1977 Triple Crown winner, but he began the breeding season on schedule in mid-February, with seven of the first nine mares he covered getting in foal. The neurological problem was treated, but Seattle Slew’s fertility worsened, and on March 27 it was announced that he would be pulled out of the breeding shed and undergo surgery. It was speculated at the time that his reduced fertility might be associated with treatment for the neurological problem, and fertility collections and analysis done this week (Dec. 11 and 12) showed Seattle Slew’s semen quality was back to normal. “Indeed, if anything, his semen quality is perhaps even a little better than the start of the breeding season last year…” said Dan Rosenberg, general manager of Three Chimneys.

“At this point, we feel good about his having a normal book for a stallion of his age,” Rosenberg said. “We will maximize breeding opportunities for the stallion by recommending that mares come to Three Chimneys prior to ovulation and remain until the optimum breeding time for each mare