2026 Mating Plans: CHC USA

[Wandering Eyes]

As we approach the opening of the 2026 breeding season, the TDN staff is once again sitting down with leading breeders to find out what stallions they have chosen for their mares, and why.

Here we catch up with Christie DeBernardis, CHC's Regional Manager of the Americas. CHC, which first made its presence felt in 2013 and was co-owner of Triple Crown winner Justify, has bred Grade I winners Kimari (Munnings), Valiance (Tapit), and Saudi Crown (Always Dreaming).

Cara Marie (14, Unbridled's Song–Miss Kilroy, by A.P. Indy), booked to Patch Adams

Cara Marie has been a great producer for us. Her foals have averaged $500,000 in the sales ring and her daughter Girl Daddy (Uncle Mo) is a graded winner. We wanted to start Patch Adams's career in the breeding shed with a strong group of mares and she certainly qualifies.

 Cozze Up Lady (17, Cozzene–The White Lady, by Johannesburg), booked to Gun Runner

Gun Runner is a stallion that needs no introduction. He's had a banner year, including topping the first four sessions of the Keeneland September sale. We wanted to send one of our top mares to this record-setting stallion, so we selected Grade III winner and Grade I producer Cozze Up Lady.

Embellish the Lace (14, Super Saver–Expanse, by Distant View), booked to Patch Adams

Grade I winner Embellish the Lace can do no wrong in the breeding shed. No matter who she is bred to, she produces an outstanding foal, which is reflected in their sale prices. What better mare to get a horse like Patch Adams off to a good start?

Patch Adams | Sarah Andrew

Into Amore (5, Into Mischief–Embellish the Lace, by Super Saver), booked to Constitution

Into Amore is a homebred daughter of our very own Embellish the Lace. She showed a lot of talent on the track, but, unfortunately, her career ended before she could make her stakes debut. We are very excited to have one of Embellish's daughters in our broodmare band and wanted to start her off with a proven stallion. Constitution is a great physical match for this mare and this cross has already produced a graded winner in Pin Up Betty.

Last Full Measure (18, Empire Maker–Lazy Slusan, by Slewvescent), booked to Tapit

Grade I winner Last Full Measure produced another Grade I winner for us in Valiance (Tapit). We thought it was a no-brainer to send her back to the Gainesway stalwart this year.

Lovely Ride (9, Candy Ride {Arg}–Lovely Lil, by Tiznow), booked to Not This Time

Lovely Ride is one of our newest mares, purchased at this past Keeneland November Sale. She is carrying her first foal by Quality Road and we felt she deserved another top sire for her second mating. The Candy Ride/Not This Time cross has already produced Grade I winner and young stallion Epicenter, as well as graded winner Simplification.

Summer Solo (15, Arch–Summer Solstice {Ire}, by Caerleon), booked to Justify

Summer Solo comes from a wonderful Payson Stud family that includes the likes of MGISW and Eclipse nominee She Feels Pretty (Karakontie {Jpn}). A Justify filly out of her half-sister Summer Sweet, dam of She Feels Pretty, was the highest-priced weanling at the Fasig-Tipton November Sale, summoning $800,000. It was a mating we thought would be a great genetic and physical match for Summer Solo as well.

Yellow Agate (12, Gemologist–Lemon Sorbet, by Lemon Drop Kid), booked to Not This Time

Yellow Agate, CHC's first Grade I winner in America, has placed herself in the upper echelon of our broodmare band with four winners from four to race, two of which are graded stakes horses. Her three foals to go to auction so far were extremely well received in the sales ring as well. Not This Time has also placed himself in the upper echelon after a sensational 2025 season. He appears unstoppable and we felt he was the perfect match for Yellow Agate.

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