First foal is a filly for G1 winner Danza

Spendthrift Farm’s Danza, dominant winner of the Arkansas Derby (G1), sired his first reported foal Sunday, Jan. 15 when a filly was born at Millennium Farms in Lexington, KY.

Bred by country singer Toby Keith’s Dream Walkin Farms, Inc., the dark bay or brown filly is out of the young Cactus Ridge mare Peeker, a stakes-placed juvenile on the track.

“This is a good-sized filly with a great profile and a ton of class. She’s very attractive, has a lot of leg and an abundant hip. We couldn’t be happier with the filly,” said Jay Ted Neel of Millennium Farms.

Danza was a top 2-year-old in New York for trainer Todd Pletcher, breaking his maiden first-time out before finishing a fast-closing third in a stakes-record-breaking Saratoga Special S. (G2) at Saratoga in his second start. As a 3-year-old, Danza emerged as a leading contender for the Kentucky Derby (G1) in just his fourth lifetime start, dominating the $1 million Arkansas Derby (G1) with a 4 ¼-length victory over an accomplished field that included Breeders’ Cup Classic (G1) winner Bayern. Three weeks later, Danza went on to become the third choice in the prestigious Run for the Roses at Churchill Downs, and he rallied to finish third after overcoming a traffic-impaired trip in the 1 ¼-mile Classic.

Danza, who retired to Spendthrift in 2016 with earnings of $866,428, is out of the stakes-placed French Deputy mare Champagne Royale, and is a half-brother to Grade 1 winner Majestic Harbor. He bred 129 mares in his first book in 2016, and is set to stand his second season at Spendthrift for a fee of $4,000 S&N.