It’s funny to hear about a stallion siring his first foal when you can remember the sire’s first race like it was yesterday. That’s how I felt today when I learned that J Be K’s first son was born. You may recall that J Be K took the Grade 2 Woody Stephens in 2008. The colt is a half brother to Grade 3 winner E Z Warrior and multiple stakes winner J Z Warrior.

J Be K isn’t the only one getting off to a good start in the shed. Undefeated Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe winner Zarkava gave birth to a filly on Saturday, Febuary 6. Zarkava is owned by Aga Khan IV and was bred to his sire Dalakhani who won the Arc in 2003. She is going to be bred to Sea The Stars  who also Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe next. Aga Khan described the filly in the quote below.

“a lovely individual that is correct, strong, and full of quality. It was a straight-forward foaling and Zarkava has proved herself to be a good mother. The Dalakhani filly is a good size for a first foal.”

Grade 1 Suburban Handicap winner Frost Giant recently became a father. The son of Giant’s Causeway has every right to be a success at stud, and I’ll be watching his progress closely. Other sires to recently produce their first foal include Kentucky Derby winner Big Brown, Grade 1 winners Street Boss, Majestic Warrior, Circular Quay and Grade 2 winners Lewis Michael and Ready’s Image.

In other breeding news, Grade 1 winner Great Hunter will be standing in Venezuela at Haras Los Semanas after being privately purchased. Grade 1 winner Square Eddie has been retired to stud duty after several lackluster performances and an injury. I can remember watching every single one of the previously mentioned horses and I actually bet most of them at one point or another. I’m feeling old and I’m still a young man. Imagine how I will feel in 20 years!