Tonalist is the sire of multiple Grade 1 winner Country Grammer, who won the Dubai World Cup (G1) and was second in the Saudi Cup (G1), making his career earnings over $10.8 million. He is also the sire of Tonalist's Shape (G2) and Sovereign Award winner Who’s the Star.
In 2023 he sired Saratoga stakes winners Drake’s Passage and New Ginya, as well as stakes winners Betsy Blue and Lightning Tones. In 2024 he was represented by stakes winners Misty Veil and again Drake's Passage, both were also graded stakes placed. Tonalist got off to fast start in 2025 with new stakes winner Lightning Tones on January 11.
In an impressive racing career, Tonalist won four Grade 1 races and is a leading son of Champion sire Tapit. The G1 Belmont winner ran triple digit Beyers in 11 graded stakes starts, including the Cigar Mile (G1) and in repeat wins in the Jockey Club Gold Cup (G1). Through sixteen lifetime starts, nine of which came in G1 company, he was off the board only twice, amassing over $3,600,000 in earnings.
Tonalist is out of the Pleasant Colony dam Settling Mist and is from the family of Champions Havre de Grace and Plugged Nickel, as well as G1 winners Christiecat and Riskaverse.
His sire Tapit has enjoyed considerable success with broodmare sires noted for their speed, including Distorted Humor (Constitution), Mr. Greeley (Zazu, Flashback), More Than Ready (Race Day), Carson City (Teen Pauline) and most particularly Storm Cat and/or his sons (Hansen, Careless Jewel, Tell a Kelly, Coup de Grace, Just Wicked, Divining Rod, Cassatt).
WON Jockey Club Gold Cup S. [G1] at Belmont Park (1 1/4 mi., in 2:02.12, by 1 3/4 lengths, defeating Zivo, Long River, etc.), Belmont S. [G1] at Belmont Park (1 1/2 mi., in 2:28.52, defeating Commissioner, Medal Count, California Chrome, etc.), Peter Pan S. [G2] at Belmont Park (1 1/8 mi., in 1:48.30, by 4 lengths, defeating Commissioner, Irish You Will, Matterhorn, etc.), 2nd Jim Dandy S. [G2] at Saratoga (1 1/8 mi., in 1:49.16, to Wicked Strong defeating Kid Cruz, Commanding Curve, etc.), 3rd Travers S. [G1] at Saratoga (1 1/4 mi., in 2:02.93, to V. E. Day, Wicked Strong, defeating Kid Cruz, Mr Speaker, Viva Majorca, etc.).
WON Cigar Mile H. [G1] at Aqueduct (1 mi., in 1:37.14, defeating Red Vine, Matrooh, Mshawish, etc.), WON Jockey Club Gold Cup S. [G1] at Belmont Park (1 1/4 mi., in 2:02.16, by 4 3/4 lengths, defeating Effinex, Coach Inge, Locks to Spare, etc.),Westchester S. [G3] at Belmont Park (1 mi., in 1:34.07, by 3 3/4 lengths, defeating Confrontation, Souper Lucky, Juba), 2nd Metropolitan H. [G1] at Belmont Park (1 mi., in 1:33.18, to Honor Code, defeating Private Zone, Tamarkuz, Wicked Strong, etc.), Suburban H. [G2] at Belmont Park (1 1/4 mi., in 2:01.55, to Effinex, defeating Coach Inge, Neck ’n Neck, Mylute, etc.), 3rd Whitney S. [G1] at Saratoga (1 1/8 mi., to Honor Code, Liam’s Map, defeating Wicked Strong, V. E. Day, Lea, etc.).
