Practical Joke to stand for $30k at Ashford

Coolmore’s Ashford Stud in Versailles, Ky., released the advertised fees for two newcomers to its stallion roster for the 2018 breeding season, led by multiple Grade 1 winner Practical Joke at $30,000.

Practical Joke, a 3-year-old son of Into Mischief, remains in training with Chad Brown, and will target the Grade 1 Cigar Mile Handicap at Aqueduct on Dec. 2. He has won five of 11 starts for earnings of $1,720,800, highlighted by victories in the Grade 1 H. Allen Jerkens Stakes, Hopeful Stakes, and Champagne Stakes, as well as the Grade 3 Dwyer Stakes.

Cupid will debut for a fee of $12,500. The 4-year-old Tapit colt retired to Ashford Stud with six wins in 13 starts and earnings of $1,701,873. He won the Grade 1 Gold Cup at Santa Anita Stakes, and the Grade 2 West Virginia Derby, Indiana Derby, and Rebel Stakes.

Cupid has arrived at Ashford Stud, and is available for inspection at the farm’s open house this week between the hours of 11 a.m. Eastern and 3 p.m.

Practical Joke and Cupid join champion Classic Empire as the three new stallions at Ashford Stud for 2018. Classic Empire’s fee was previously announced at $35,000.