2023 champion turf male Up to the Mark has sired his first foal, a colt out of La Croix Valmer born Jan. 16 at Newtown Anner Stud Farm near Millbrook, N.Y.
La Croix Valmer, by Malibu Moon, is a full sister to grade1-placed stakes winner Moon de French. La Croix Valmer was a $235,000 yearling purchase by Sallusto & Albina, agent, on behalf of Newtown Anner Stud Farm at the 2018 Keeneland September Yearling Sale.
"This colt lives up to his father's name," said Newtown Anner Stud Farm general manager Hanzly Albina. "He is everything we expected and wanted when breeding to a multiple grade 1-winning son of Not This Time. He is certainly Up to the Mark."
Up to the Mark, a son of leading sire Not this Time out of the Ghostzapper mare Belle's Finale, was bred in Kentucky by Ramspring Farm and raced by Repole Stable and St. Elias Stables.
Trained by Todd Pletcher, Up to the Mark won three grade 1 races in his 2023 championship season: the Turf Classic Stakes (G1T) at Churchill Downs, Manhattan Stakes (G1T) at Belmont Park, and the Coolmore Turf Mile Stakes (G1T) at Keeneland. He also finished a close second behind Auguste Rodin in the Breeder's Cup Turf (G1T) before being named champion turf male. He retired with a 6-1-2 record in 12 starts and $2,511,050 in earnings.
Standing at Lane's End Farm near Versailles, Ky., Up to the Mark covered 164 mares in his first season. His 2025 stud fee is $25,000.
