The first reported foal by 3-year-old Eclipse Award champion and Preakness Stakes (gr. I) winner Bernardini was born Jan. 4 at Gracefield Farm in Lexington. The newborn filly, bred by Gracefield and Partners, is out of the multiple stakes producer Belle Nuit.
Belle Nuit, is one of 64 grade I winners or producers booked to Bernardini his first year at stud. She is the dam of 2007 Coaching Club American Oaks (gr. I) and Mother Goose Stakes (gr. I) winner Octave, grade II winner Belle Cherie, and other stakes winners Unbridled Behavior and Be Mine Tonight.
Bernardini was also named the World’s Champion 3-Year-Old of 2006 when he won six consecutive races, including the Preakness, Jockey Club Gold Cup (gr. I) and Travers Stakes (gr. I) while earning $3,060,480. He was the leading first-year covering sire of 2007 with an average of $1,152,000.
Bernardini is a 5-year-old son of A.P. Indy out of the Quiet American mare Cara Rafaela and stands for $100,000 at Darley near Lexington.