Press Release from Checkmate Thoroughbreds
PARKFIELD, Calif. (Jan. 20, 2023) — Grade 1 winner Halladay sired his first reported foal when a colt out of the Unusual Heat mare Katie’s Heat was born on Jan. 17 at Checkmate Thoroughbreds in Parkfield, Calif.
Owned by Checkmate Thoroughbreds LLC, Hector and Denise Cuevas, Raul Montenegro, and Javier Montenegro, Katie’s Heat is a daughter of California Broodmare of the Year Miss Soft Sell, who produced multiple G1 winner Brother Derek, winner of the Hollywood Derby (G1), Santa Anita Derby (G1), and fourth in the Kentucky Derby (G1) en route to earnings of more than $1.6 million. Katie’s Heat is a half-sister to Dontsellmeshort, a multiple stakes winner of $402,365, Sister Kate, multiple stakes winner of $282,186, and Swizzle Stick, a stakes-placed earner of $129,964.
Grade 1-Winner HALLADAY, was represented by his first foal on January 17th with a colt out of the Unusual Heat mare KATIE’S HEAT who was foaled at Checkmate Thoroughbreds in Parkfield California.
Halladay- a G1 winning son of perennial leading sire War Front was campaigned by Harrell Ventures and trained by Todd Pletcher.
An Impressive front-running winner of the $400,000 Fourstardave H. (G1) at Saratoga, Halladay defeated six G1 winners, including Got Stormy, Raging Bull (FR), Uni (GB), etc.Halladay is ranked #1 in California and amongst the Top-5 of Freshman Stallions in America by Class Performance Index for mares bred in 2022, asserting him in the class of Charlatan, Essential Quality, Maxfield, and Yaupon.
“Halladay is an incredible physical specimen by a sire of international leading sires. He’s bred the best mares in California and his book is looking even stronger for 2023. It’s exciting to see such a quality first foal and we’re grinning ear-to-ear like it’s Christmas morning with the promise of more gifts to come” – Adrian Gonzalez, owner of Checkmate Thoroughbreds and manager of Halladay Syndicate.
Halladay stands at Harris Farms for a $7,500 fee LFSN. Shares available.