Dormellito Stud reported that dual graded stakes winner Simmard (Dixieland Band—Dibs, by Spectacular Bid) has produced his first foal.
Owned and bred by Antonio Francesco, the foal, a filly, was born Jan. 30 at Anne Morgan and Tim Little's Mill Creek Farm near Stillwater, N.Y. She is out of Embracing Hearts, a stakes-placed daughter of Sky Mesa from the family of Hennessy and Editor's Note. The filly is the first reported born of around 49 expected foals by Simmard in 2014.
"Finally, all of our hard work is starting to pay off," says Antonio Francesco, owner of Simmard, in a release. "For everyone involved, it's a long awaited dream-come-true to find out what can come from such a quality, sound horse."
"Simmard has proven himself on the track, and now we surely anticipate that he will prove himself at stud," Francesco added.
Simmard retired to stud last year as the winner of seven races from 32 starts, including the 2012 Mac Diarmida (gr. IIT) and Louisville Handicap (gr. IIIT), for earnings of $635,953. He was bred in Kentucky by Haras Santa Maria de Araras S.A.
Simmard, who is the only son of Dixieland Band available to breeders in New York, will stand his second season at Mill Creek Farm, for a fee of $2,800.