Christie DeBernardis

by Jessica Martini & Christina Bossinakis LEXINGTON, KY - Solid trade continued right through the conclusion of the second and final Book 2 section of the Keeneland November Breeding Stock Sale Thursday, with the 3-year-old broodmare Finesse (Street Sense) bringing the section's top price of $900,000 when selling to Dixiana Farms. "It was really solid today," said Keeneland Vice President of Sales Tony Lacy. "It was very competitive. I was speaking to a lot of buyers out there, and they were finding it very difficult to buy the foals that...

As we approach the opening of the 2024 breeding season, the TDN staff is once again sitting down with leading breeders to find out what stallions they have chosen for their mares, and why. Here we catch up with Christie DeBernardis, CHC's Regional Manager of the Americas. Alberobello (m, 9, Bernardini--Carson Jen, by Carson City), booked to Uncle Mo Alberobello hails from an exceptional family that is constantly improving. Additionally, Bernardini is becoming one of the best broodmare sires we've seen in a while. Alberobello produced an Uncle Mo colt...

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...

Christie DeBernardis has been appointed regional manager of the United States and wider Americas and as senior media manager of the China Horse Club. An Eclipse Award-winning journalist, DeBernardis spent 10 years as editor at Thoroughbred Daily News. "Christie's appointment comes at a time when the China Horse Club's involvement in the United States, in particular, is maturing. The fruits of our efforts over many years are just starting to be seen," said Teo Ah Khing, China Horse Club's Chairman. "The management of this arm of the Club is understandably...

The terms `best' and `favorite' are typically two subjective concepts when it comes the Thoroughbred racehorse. The TDN's Gary King reached out to key players from different facets of the industry to hear their thoughts. Email Gary King (garyking@thetdn.com) to have your say. CHRISTIE DEBERNARDIS, TDN Over the past seven years at the TDN, I have been blessed to witness many of racing's greats, which I thought would make it very difficult to choose just one. But, when given this assignment, there was one horse who immediately came to mind,...

Vinnie Viola has been elected to the board of stewards of The Jockey Club, filling the expired position of William S. Farish, Jr. Viola and his wife, Teresa, have campaigned the likes of GI Kentucky Derby hero Always Dreaming (Bodemeister), GI Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile victor Liam's Map (Unbridled's Song), GI Carter H. winner Army Mule (Friesian Fire) and more. He is also the owner of the Florida Panthers of the NHL and a governor on the NHL's board of governors. In addition to Viola, the board of stewards consists...

The $2.1 million Jane Lyon spent to purchase Littleprincessemma (Yankee Gentleman), who was in foal to young sire Pioneerof the Nile, at the 2014 Fasig-Tipton November sale may have seemed a little steep at the time. However, it proved to be a steal at 6:53 p.m. June 6 when her son American Pharoah (Pioneerof the Nile) captured the GI Belmont S. and in turn became the first Triple Crown winner in 37 years. "Pioneerof the Nile was still a young stallion, although he had obviously already produced a Grade I...