Emblem Road latest top-level product of Bernardini mares

Emblem Road, the $229 shock winner of the Group 1, $20 million Saudi Cup for local connections last Saturday, is the latest top level-winning grandson of the late champion Bernardini, who has left behind a powerful legacy as a broodmare sire.

Emblem Road, a son of Quality Road bred in Kentucky and now based in Saudi Arabia, is out of the Bernardini mare Venturini. The daughter of Breeders’ Cup Filly and Mare Sprint winner Ventura was unplaced in two starts for Juddmonte before going on to her broodmare career. Emblem Road is her second foal, following the stakes-placed Kunal.

Bernardini’s most prominent runners out of his daughters include Kentucky Oaks winner Serengeti Empress and multiple Grade 1 winner Colonel Liam, who scored a repeat victory in this year’s Pegasus World Cup Turf. Bernardini also is the broodmare sire, in North America, of Canadian champion and Grade 1 winner Gretzky the Great and additional Grade 1 winners Catholic Boy, Clairiere, Dunbar Road, Hunter O’Riley, Maxfield, Mo Town, Paris Lights, and Wicked Whisper.

Internationally, Bernardini is the broodmare sire of another Saudi Arabian Group 1 winner in Attaadah; Mexican Triple Crown winner and champion Kukulkan and additional Mexican Group 1 winners Kaifas and Lebron; Singapore Horse of the Year Qatar Man; Australian Derby winner Angel Of Truth; Turkey Jockey Club Cup winner Hasafet; Relampago Star, a top-level winner in the Dominican Republic; and Jamaica Derby winner Calculus.