Tonalist (USA)
February 11, 2011 – Living
Tapit (USA) x Settling Mist (USA), by Pleasant Colony (USA)
Family 3-l
February 11, 2011 – Living
Tapit (USA) x Settling Mist (USA), by Pleasant Colony (USA)
Family 3-l
The spoiler in the 2014 Triple Crown after passing on the Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (USA-G1) and Preakness Stakes (USA-G1) due to the aftereffects of a lung infection, Tonalist was a talented if sometimes frustrating horse. Figuring out just what racing style made him tick was a challenge for trainer Christophe Clement, but when Tonalist was on his game, he proved himself formidable in top company from 8 to 12 furlongs.
Race record
16 starts, 7 wins, 4 seconds, 2 thirds, US$3,647,000
2014:
2015:
As an individual
An impressive, lengthy, elegant bay horse with plenty of substance, Tonalist stands 17.1 hands and had a long stride when racing. He developed a roach back as a yearling, a fault he never outgrew. He had a good racing temperament which included the ability to stay relaxed in most circumstances. He won major races when stalking close to the lead but also raced well as a deep closer.
Honors
Eclipse Awards finalist, American champion older male (2015)
As a stallion
Tonalist stood his first season in 2016 in Kentucky at Lane's End Farm.
Sire rankings
Per The Blood-Horse:
Notable progeny
Country Grammer (USA), Who's the Star (USA)
Connections
Foaled in Kentucky, Tonalist was bred by Woodslane Farm, the breeding operation of Rene and Lauren Woolcott. After failing to make his reserve on a US$195,000 bid at the 2012 Fasig-Tipton Saratoga sale, he was purchased privately by Robert S. Evans, whose father Thomas Evans bred and owned the colt's maternal grandsire Pleasant Colony. Lane's End Farm later purchased an interest in Tonalist in October 2014. The colt was trained by Christophe Clement. Tonalist retired to stud following his victory in the 2015 TVG Cigar Mile.
Pedigree notes
Tonalist is inbred 5x4 to Northern Dancer. His dam Settling Mist is a half sister to Easter Bunnette (by Carson City), dam of 2011 American Horse of the Year Havre de Grace (by Saint Liam). She is also a half sister to Grade 3-placed The Bink (by Seeking the Gold), dam of multiple Grade 1 winner Riskaverse (by Dynaformer) and Grade 3 winner Cozzy Corner (by Cozzene). Riskaverse, in turn, is the dam of Group 1-placed Irish stakes winner Say (by Galileo).
Settling Mist is out of Toll Fee (by Topsider), one of seven stakes winners produced from 1991 Kentucky Broodmare of the Year Toll Booth (by Buckpasser). The dam of 1980 champion sprinter Plugged Nickle (by Key to the Mint) and 1992 Flower Bowl Handicap Christiecat (by Majestic Light), Toll Booth, in turn, is a daughter of the excellent broodmare Missy Baba, herself the dam of six stakes winners and the ancestress of such notables as A.P. Indy, Summer Squall, Lemon Drop Kid and Weekend Surprise.
Fun facts
Photo credit
Portrait photo taken by Jessica Morgan at Lane's End in 2020. Used by permission.
Last updated: April 15, 2023
Race record
16 starts, 7 wins, 4 seconds, 2 thirds, US$3,647,000
2014:
- Won Belmont Stakes (USA-G1, 12FD, Belmont)
- Won Jockey Club Gold Cup Stakes (USA-G1, 10FD, Belmont)
- Won Peter Pan Stakes (USA-G2, 9FD, Belmont)
- 2nd Jim Dandy Stakes (USA-G2, 9FD, Saratoga)
- 3rd Travers Stakes (USA-G1, 10FD, Saratoga)
2015:
- Won Jockey Club Gold Cup Stakes (USA-G1, 10FD, Belmont)
- Won TVG Cigar Mile Handicap (USA-G1, 8FD, Aqueduct)
- Won Westchester Stakes (USA-G3, 8FD, Aqueduct)
- 2nd NYRA.com Metropolitan Handicap (USA-G1, 8FD, Belmont)
- 2nd Suburban Handicap (USA-G2, 10FD, Belmont)
- 3rd Whitney Stakes (USA-G1, 9FD, Saratoga)
As an individual
An impressive, lengthy, elegant bay horse with plenty of substance, Tonalist stands 17.1 hands and had a long stride when racing. He developed a roach back as a yearling, a fault he never outgrew. He had a good racing temperament which included the ability to stay relaxed in most circumstances. He won major races when stalking close to the lead but also raced well as a deep closer.
Honors
Eclipse Awards finalist, American champion older male (2015)
As a stallion
Tonalist stood his first season in 2016 in Kentucky at Lane's End Farm.
Sire rankings
Per The Blood-Horse:
- 4th on the American general sire list in 2022.
Notable progeny
Country Grammer (USA), Who's the Star (USA)
Connections
Foaled in Kentucky, Tonalist was bred by Woodslane Farm, the breeding operation of Rene and Lauren Woolcott. After failing to make his reserve on a US$195,000 bid at the 2012 Fasig-Tipton Saratoga sale, he was purchased privately by Robert S. Evans, whose father Thomas Evans bred and owned the colt's maternal grandsire Pleasant Colony. Lane's End Farm later purchased an interest in Tonalist in October 2014. The colt was trained by Christophe Clement. Tonalist retired to stud following his victory in the 2015 TVG Cigar Mile.
Pedigree notes
Tonalist is inbred 5x4 to Northern Dancer. His dam Settling Mist is a half sister to Easter Bunnette (by Carson City), dam of 2011 American Horse of the Year Havre de Grace (by Saint Liam). She is also a half sister to Grade 3-placed The Bink (by Seeking the Gold), dam of multiple Grade 1 winner Riskaverse (by Dynaformer) and Grade 3 winner Cozzy Corner (by Cozzene). Riskaverse, in turn, is the dam of Group 1-placed Irish stakes winner Say (by Galileo).
Settling Mist is out of Toll Fee (by Topsider), one of seven stakes winners produced from 1991 Kentucky Broodmare of the Year Toll Booth (by Buckpasser). The dam of 1980 champion sprinter Plugged Nickle (by Key to the Mint) and 1992 Flower Bowl Handicap Christiecat (by Majestic Light), Toll Booth, in turn, is a daughter of the excellent broodmare Missy Baba, herself the dam of six stakes winners and the ancestress of such notables as A.P. Indy, Summer Squall, Lemon Drop Kid and Weekend Surprise.
Fun facts
- Tonalist was the second graded stakes winner of that name to race in the United States. The first was a 1978 filly by Jacinto out of Prize Jive, who won the 1981 Post Deb Stakes (USA-G3).
Photo credit
Portrait photo taken by Jessica Morgan at Lane's End in 2020. Used by permission.
Last updated: April 15, 2023