Tonalist Retired to Lane's End Farm

Four-time grade I winner Tonalist   has been retired to Lane's End Farm, according to a Dec. 9 release. The son of Tapit   will stand the 2016 season for an adveritsed fee of $40,000.

Tonalist won six graded stakes at distances from a mile to 1 1/2 miles, with earnings of $3,647,000 in a 16-start career for owner Robert "Shel" Evans and trainer Christophe Clement. His victories include his most recent, the Nov. 28 Cigar Mile Handicap (gr. I), consecutive editions of the Jockey Club Gold Cup Stakes (gr. I) in 2014-15, and the 2014 Belmont Stakes (gr. I).

NOVAK: Tonalist Charges to Cigar Mile Victory

In those 16 starts, nine of which came in grade I company, the big bay colt was off the board only twice, and retires with a 7-4-2 record. When winning the Belmont and Jockey Club Gold Cup in 2014 along with his victory in the Peter Pan Stakes (gr. II), Tonalist became just the second 3-year-old to accomplish that feat since Easy Goer in 1989.

"Christope said he was the best horse he ever had and he certainly was the best horse I've ever had," Evans said. "I was planning on racing him this year. I don't think he got to show what he could really do. He was completely sound and was going to be the best older horse next year. But the economic pressures make it hard to keep him in training. He's going to be a good sire."

NOVAK: Tonalist Captures Jockey Club Gold  Cup

LAMARRA: Tonalist Takes Jockey Club Gold Cup With Ease

"Tapit is the most important stallion in America and Tonalist is his best son," said Will Farish. "Tonalist is his only grade I-winning son at a mile and a quarter, from a tremendous female family. He's exactly the kind of stallion we want to stand."

From the Pleasant Colony mare Settling Mist, Tonalist descends from the immediate female family of multiple grade I winner Riskaverse and Horse of the Year Havre de Grace.

HAMMONDS: Tonalist Denies 'Chrome' Crown in Belmont

Bill Farish added, "We're in the business of classic Thoroughbreds, and he certainly fits our program. A.P. Indy, Lemon Drop Kid, Union Rags won races like the Belmont and Gold Cup and we are confident Tonalist will continue that success."

Tonalist bred in Kentucky by Rene and Lauren Woolcotts' Woodslane Farm and was purchased privately by Evans after the colt failed to meet his reserve for $195,000 at the 2012 Fasig-Tipton New York Saratoga select yearling sale when consigned by Sweezey & Partners. 

BLOOD-HORSE STAFF: Lane's End Acquires Interest in Tonalist

"I want to thank Christophe Clement and his team for their great work," said Evans. "This horse retired sound and only ran on Lasix. What he's been able to accomplish is a great testament to the horsemanship of Christophe.

"I'm very excited to partner with Lane's End on the next stage of this horse's career. Tonalist will be a great fit there. They have an excellent reputation of making racehorses like him into prolific stallions."