Juddmonte raises fees for First Defence, Mizzen Mast

Juddmonte announced that it will raise the fees of both its U.S.-based stallions, Grade 1 winners First Defence and Mizzen Mast, for 2014.

First Defence will stand for $15,000 in 2014, double his 2013 fee of $7,500. The 9-year-old Unbridled’s Song horse sired multiple Grade 1 winner Close Hatches from his first crop; the 3-year-old filly was recently second in the Breeders’ Cup Distaff.

Mizzen Mast, whose season was highlighted by his daughter Mizdirection’s repeat victory in the Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint, will stand the upcoming season for a fee of $20,000. The 15-year-old Cozzene horse stood for $15,000 in 2013.

Both fees are live foal terms, due Nov. 1.

Both First Defence and Mizzen Mast raced as homebreds for Juddmonte. First Defence won the Grade 1 Forego Handicap and earned $580,534. Out of Grade 1 winner Honest Lady, his second dam is Juddmonte’s influential broodmare Toussaud. Mizzen Mast captured the Grade 1 Malibu Stakes while trained by the late Hall of Fame conditioner Bobby Frankel.