Mark Valeski, a Brereton C. Jones-bred son of Proud Citizen, who is co-owned and supported by Airdrie Stud and Mr. John Sykes’ Woodford Thoroughbreds is off to a hot start at stud, with three winners from his first six starters, including two notable winners at Saratoga! Arguably his most impressive winner to date is Network Effect, bred by Louis Jolin from the Put It Back mare, Sandy Key Gal. An OBS April Sale graduate who breezed a bullet 20:4 quarter, Network Effect was purchased by Chad Brown on behalf of Klaravich Stable for $95,000 from the Blue River Bloodstock consignment. After building an impressive worktab under Chad’s tutelage, Network Effect debuted on Saturday August 11th and drew away to an impressive three length score in an open 7f Maiden Special Weight on the dirt at Saratoga, earning an impressive 76 Beyer Speed Figure. Onward and upward for this colt.
Airdrie-bred Backtohisroots broke his maiden impressively at Saratoga on July 30th, defeating nine over-matched foes by 3 3/4 lengths at the Maiden 50k claiming level for O/T Joe Sharp. Having made a promising debut at Churchill Downs at the same level in late June, he was claimed from his Saratoga victory by John Terranova for Gatsas Stables, and now holds an MTO entry in the Skidmore S. on Friday 17th August. Backtohisroots is one of five winners from five runners out of Brereton C. Jones’ mare, Great Family, and is also a half brother to Graded performer Alcindoro and stakes-placed Dona Mussetta.
A winner at 2, Mark Valeski was a high class 3yo of 2012, taking the Peter Pan (G2), following runner-up finishes in both the Risen Star (G2) and Louisiana Derby (G2). He returned at 4 to win the Mineshaft H. (G3) at the Fairgounds, before running 2nd to Graydar in the New Orleans H., finishing ahead of the likes of Bourbon Courage, Flat Out and Majestic Harbor. He closed out his career with a 4th placed finish in the Met Mile (G1), and retired with a record of 10:4-4-0 and career earnings of $658,452.
Mark Valeski stood his first three breeding seasons at co-owner Woodford Thoroughbreds’ Farm in Reddick, Florida, where he was supported with at least 20 mares each from Airdrie Stud and Woodford Thoroughbreds annually, before relocating to Airdrie Stud for the 2018 season, where he now resides.
Please contact Cormac Breathnach (859-552-4345) for more information.
