As we approach the opening of the 2023 breeding sheds, the TDN staff is once again sitting down with leading breeders to find out what stallions they have chosen for their mares, and why.
The China Horse Club's Christie DeBernardis, Matt Houldsworth and Michael Smith clued us in on which sires they have chosen for some of their top American and European mares.
ALBEROBELLO (m, 8, Bernardini—Carson Jen, by Carson City), booked to Justify
Alberobello hails from a very deep family that is constantly improving. Her full-sister's daughter Key to My Heart (Ire) produced a $1.3-million filly at KEESEP just a few months ago. Additionally, Bernardini mares are red hot right not. She is expecting just her second foal for us this year (by Uncle Mo) and we will send her back to Justify. We are obviously big fans and supporters of Justify. That faith has been rewarded with his first crop of runners this year and they should only get better with age. This family has already produced a stakes winner by Justify in Justa Warrior.
CARIBBEAN BABE (m, 8, Arch—Kalahari Cat, by Cape Town), booked to Life Is Good
Caribbean Babe is a half-sister to MGSW and young WinStar stallion Independence Hall, as well as two other stakes winners. Her first foal Bold Discovery (Bolt d'Oro) is doing quite well in Europe, following his debut win with a Group 3 placing. She is a young mare, with a good family and by an excellent broodmare sire, so we felt she deserved a spot in the first book of our MGISW Life Is Good.
COZZE UP LADY (m, 14, Cozzene—The White Lady, by Johannesburg), booked to Munnings
This mating was a bit of a no-brainer. A Grade III winner in her own right, Cozze Up Lady's best foal thus far is Grade I-winning millionaire Kimari (Munnings). She returns to that star sprinter's sire this year in hopes of re-creating that magic.
EMBELLISH THE LACE (m, 11, Super Saver—Expanse, by Distant View), booked to Constitution
Embellish the Lace was a Grade I winner at Saratoga and has proven equally talented as a broodmare. She's produced two seven-figure yearlings so far, and another that summoned $700,000. One of those million-dollar babies was Tap the Faith (Tapit), a three-time winner, so we hope that cross will prove successful yet again through Tapit's best son at stud, Constitution.
LAST FULL MEASURE (m, 15, Empire Maker—Lazy Slusan, by Slewvescent), booked to Constitution
Last Full Measure was a Grade I winner in her own right and produced another Grade I winner for us in Valiance (Tapit). She's responsible for a series of six-figure sellers and had her best auction result in 2022 when her Constitution colt brought $1.8 million at KEESEP. On the back of that success, she will be bred back to Constitution.
SAMBUCA CLASSICA (m, 19, Cat Thief—In Her Glory, by Miswaki), booked to Life Is Good
Sambuca Classica is a bit of blue hen, producing four black-type runners, topped by champion Classic Empire. Her 2020 Justify colt, now named Golden Mic, brought $625,000 from Hideyuki Mori at KEESEP and her 2021 colt by that Triple Crown winner summoned $575,000 from WinStar and Siena Farm. Being a proven producer, we felt she was a good match for Life Is Good.
BEATRIX POTTER (m, 18, Cadeaux Genereux {GB}—Great Joy {Ire}, by Grand Lodge), booked to New Bay (GB)
Already a Group 1 producer of Harry Angel (Ire) (Dark Angel {Ire}), Beatrix Potter visits emerging young stallion New Bay. She's reaching her twilight years and the great hope would be to get a filly. Last season's yearling by Medaglia D'Oro made 600,000gns from Ben McElroy at Tattersalls Book 1.
FALLING PETALS (m, 11, Raven's Pass—Infinite Spirit, by Maria's Mon), booked to New Bay
Falling Petals, the producer of dual Group 1 winner Saffron Beach (New Bay), who realised 3,600,000gns at last year's Tattersalls December Mare sale, goes back to New Bay. If it's not broke, don't fix it. Last season's yearling, a New Bay colt, fetched €450,000 at Goffs Orby from Amanda Skiffington and goes into training with Saffron Beach's trainer Jane Chapple-Hyam. She also has a weanling full sister, who will likely be retained to race.
LADY LIGHT (GB) (m, 6, Showcasing {GB}—Bird Key {GB}, by Cadeaux Genereux {GB}), booked to Siyouni (Fr)
Lady Light is young stakes-placed mare, a full sister to Shadwell stallion Tasleet and from the immediate family of superstar sprinter Battaash. Her first foal, a filly by Dark Angel, is an excellent first foal. Siyouni is commercially consistent at the top level, both in the sales ring and on the track, and provides a fantastic proven option for a young mare getting going.
TSCHIERSCHEN (Ire) (m, 9, Acclamation {GB}—Roo {GB}, by Rudimentary), booked to State Of Rest (Ire)
Tschierschen is a stakes producing Acclamation mare and dam of Royal Ascot winner Petrotto. She is from the immediate family of Group 1 performers Mohaather, Prize Exhibit and Accidental Agent. A proven mare for the four-time Group 1-winning freshman sire State Of Rest (The Iron Horse).
COASTANA (m, 6, Kitten's Joy—Reachfortheheavens, by Pulpit), booked to New Bay
Coastana was picked up for $290,000 at the recent Keeneland November Sale with the plan of going to Europe to be bred. The stakes-placed mare adds some new blood to the European band and highlights our continued interest in developing families globally. A lovely individual that we thought would really suit New Bay.
MELODIC CHARM (IRE) (m, 6, Exceed and Excel {Aus}–Folk Melody {Ire}, by Street Cry {Ire}), booked to Siyouni
Melodic Charm is a young Exceed and Excel mare recently acquired from Tattersalls. She received a significant pedigree update shortly after her purchase when her half-brother Romantic Warrior (Ire) (Acclamation {GB}) won the G1 Longines Hong Kong Cup. She is due to Dark Angel and, therefore, the resulting progeny will be a three-parts brother or sister to Romantic Warrior.
HOURGLASS (IRE) (m, 8, Galileo {Ire}—Hellsinki {GB}, by Machiavellian), booked to Siyouni
Hourglass is a Galileo half-sister to Shamardal and is all class. Her first produce (Just an Hour {Justify}) was placed in his only start to date for Joseph O'Brien and looks to have a very bright future this coming season. Last season's yearling realised €300,000 and her weanling colt by Siyouni is outstanding. As such, going back to Siyouni was an easy call.
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