Mark Valeski, Magna Graduate to Woodford Thoroughbreds

Grade 2 winner Mark Valeski has been retired from racing, and will join Magna Graduate as additions to the stallion roster of Woodford Thoroughbreds in Reddick, Fla.

Mark Valeski, a 5-year-old son of Proud Citizen finishes his on-track career with four wins in 10 starts for earnings of $658,452.

Homebred in Kentucky by Brereton Jones and trained by Larry Jones, Mark Valeski won the Grade 2 Peter Pan stakes as a 3-year-old, then followed up with the Grade 3 Mineshaft Handicap at age four. Mark Valeski was the runner-up in three additional graded stakes races, including the Grade 2 Louisiana Derby in 2012. He had not raced since the 2013 Metropolitan Handicap in late May of last year.

Mark Valeski is out of the Grade 1-placed stakes-winning Fortunate Prospect mare Pocho’s Dream Girl, whose seven winners from as many foals to race include Albano, a Grade 3 winner who was recently second in the Grade 1 Haskell Invitational.

“If you believe in a stallion then it makes sense to support them,” said Brereton Jones. “We believe in Mark Valeski and will be sending at least 15 quality mares of our own down to Woodford each year to breed to him. We think he has what it takes and we’re committed to helping make him the successful stallion we believe he can be.”

Magna Graduate moves to Woodford Thoroughbreds from Darby Dan Farm in Lexington, Ky., where he began his stallion career in 2009.

The 12-year-old son of Honor Grades has sired three crops of racing age, led by Jessica’s Star, winner of this year’s Grade 3 Iowa Derby, and Grade 3 winner Blueeyesintherein.

Magna Graduate won 10 of 35 starts during his racing career for earnings of $2,582,816. Racing for owner Elisabeth Alexander and trainer Steve Asmussen, Magna Graduate’s notable victories include the Grade 2 Clark Handicap and six Gade 3 races. He also finished in the money in the Dubai World Cup and Stephen Foster Handicap.

"Mark Valeski and Magna Graduate were both racehorses of the highest caliber,” said Matt Lyons, general manager of Woodford Thoroughbred. “Woodford is dedicated to make them successful and we look forward to working with the Airdrie team and Mrs. Alexander to make it happen."