Breeders report first mares in foal to Justify

Breeders have reported the first mares in foal to unbeaten Triple Crown winner Justify, who began his stud career last month at Coolmore’s Ashford Stud in Kentucky.

The boutique Stonehaven Steadings operation of Versailles, Ky., reported Monday morning that its well-bred mare Venetian Sonata, already the dam of a stakes runner, has checked in foal to Justify. Stonehaven is best known for breeding champion juvenile Shanghai Bobby and also was the birthplace of Grade 1-winning juvenile Daredevil.

Venetian Sonata, a winning Bernardini mare, is the dam of Grade 2-placed juvenile Olive Branch. The mare is a full sister to Grade 2 winner Wilburn and stakes winner La Appassionata, and is a half-sister to Grade 2 winner Beethoven. Their dam, Grade 3 winner Moonlight Sonata, is a half-sister to Grade 1 winner Bevo, as well as to Vargas Girl, a multiple stakes producer whose foals are led by Kentucky Oaks winner and champion Abel Tasman.

The Jet Black bloodstock agency earlier reported that its mare Joe’sgoldenholiday checked in foal to Justify on a Feb. 20 cover, her first mating. The winning Harlan’s Holiday mare is a half-sister to two-time Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile winner Goldencents, who was among last year’s leading freshman sires.

Justify, a son of Scat Daddy, is standing his debut season for an advertised fee of $150,000, making him the most expensive new stallion in North America this year.