Champion Swiss Skydiver Has First Foal in Japan

Champion and classic winner Swiss Skydiver gave birth to her first foal, a Kingman (GB) filly Feb. 15 in Japan, according to Northern Farm, which released the news April 17. The 6-year-old Daredevil mare was a whopping $4,700,000 purchase by Northern Farm's Katsumi Yoshida in 2021 from Runnymede's consignment to The November Sale, Fasig-Tipton's marquee breeding stock sale held near Lexington. The following year, the mare went to Juddmonte's Kingman, who stood the 2022 season at Banstead Manor Stud in Suffolk, England for £150,000. Bred by WinStar in Kentucky, Swiss Skydiver was picked up for only $35,000 by trainer Kenny McPeek for Peter Callahan from the Select Sales' banner at the 2018 Keeneland September Yearling Sale. From there, the pair campaigned the mare to six wins in graded company including the Preakness Stakes (G1), Alabama Stakes (G1), Gulfstream Park Oaks (G2), Santa Anita Oaks (G2), and Fantasy Stakes (G3) all in 2020, along with the 2021 Beholder Mile Stakes (G1). She bankrolled $2,216,480 in her 16-start career. She was crowned champion 3-year-old filly in 2020, and retired at 4 after winning seven of her 16 starts and putting $2,216,480 in the bank. Out of the Johannesburg mare Expo Gold, Swiss Skydiver is the only stakes winner for her dam who has five winners from five foals to race.