Fathers

SIRES

Think of a term used for male parents in the animal kingdom, especially when referring to pedigree or lineage. It’s also a word you might hear in discussions about horse breeding.

"Fathers" is a straightforward clue where the answer isn’t the usual word like "dads" but a more formal or old-fashioned term. "Sires" fits because it means male parents, especially in the context of animals or historical usage—think of stallions being called sires. The clue plays on the idea of a slightly elevated or less common synonym to keep solvers thinking beyond the obvious.