First Foal for Vekoma is a Kentucky-bred Filly

The first reported foal by Spendthrift Farm stallion Vekoma   is a filly, born early Jan. 15 at Crowning Point Farm near Paris, Ky.

"She's a nice filly; we thought she was a colt because of how big she was from a maiden mare," said Julie Rini, owner/operator of Crowning Point. "She has a nice shoulder and hip, good bone and appears to be correct. We are very happy."

Bred by Loren Nichols, the bay filly is the first foal out of the stakes-placed Bellamy Road  mare Bella Alicita . She comes from the family of graded stakes winner Blazing Fury.

Campaigned by trainer George Weaver for R. A. Hill Stable and Gatsas Stables, Vekoma was an undefeated graded stakes winner at 2, during which time he took the Nashua Stakes (G3) at Aqueduct Racetrack. At 3, he captured a major Kentucky Derby Presented by Woodford Reserve (G1) prep race, the 1 1/8-mile Toyota Blue Grass Stakes (G2) at Keeneland.

After a 12th-place finish in the Derby, the son of Candy Ride   proved to be one of the best horses in North America as a 4-year-old, dominating the Runhappy Carter Handicap (G1) before taking down the prestigious Runhappy Metropolitan Handicap (G1) when 3-for-3 in 2020.

Vekoma retired to Spendthrift with six wins from eight starts and earnings of $1,245,525. After covering 222 mares in his first book in 2021, the 6-year-old chestnut stands this year for a $17,500 fee.