Gio Ponti to stand for $15,000 in 2015

Castleton Lyons in Lexington, Ky., has released the advertised fees for its two-horse stallion roster.

Leading the duo is three-time Eclipse Award winner Gio Ponti, whose fee will remain unchanged at $15,000. Gio Ponti, a 9-year-old son of Tale of the Cat will be represented by his first crop of 2-year-olds in 2015.

“We are very pleased with Gio Ponti’s reception from breeders in his first three years at stud,” said Castleton Lyons president Shane Ryan. “Yearlings by the champion and three-time Eclipse Award winner have made up to $500,000 and $450,000 at Saratoga and Keeneland respectively and are destined to be trained by top handlers in both the USA and Europe. Castleton Lyons has supported Gio Ponti with its best mares and with auction purchases.”

Also standing at Castleton Lyons is Grade 1 winner Justin Phillip, whose fee will be decreased from $12,500 to $5,000 for the upcoming breeding season. The 6-year-old son of First Samurai’s first foals will arrive during the upcoming foaling season.

“We had a very positive response from breeders for the tough and consistent Justin Phillip, who was bred to over 100 mares in his first season,” Ryan said. “We are very conscious that the stallion market is very competitive and hope that the price set for this well-bred Grade 1 Vanderbilt winner will continue to entice breeders who have helped to enthusiastically launch this horse’s stud career. As with Gio Ponti, we have and will continue to support Justin Phillip’s stud career with many of our own mares.”