Cilla

Bay Mare

In foal to Jackie’s Warrier

Sire: California Chrome

Dam: Sittin At The Bar

Foaled in Louisiana May 13, 2018

Dale Ladner's Cilla , a daughter of California Chrome   bred in Louisiana by Ladner and Brett Brinkman out of the Into Mischief   mare Sittin At the Bar, was selected as the 2021 Louisiana Horse of the Year.

Trained by Brinkman, Cilla was selected from among the Louisiana divisional champions by the Louisiana Thoroughbred Breeders Association Board of Directors. 

After winning the 2021 Louisiana Legends Mademoiselle at Evangeline Downs in June, Cilla took her show on the road to Monmouth Park, where she took the Blue Sparkler Stakes by 2 1/2 lengths, running 5 1/2 furlongs in 1:03.07. Next she won the Prioress Stakes (G2) at Saratoga Race Course, running the six furlongs in 1:10.05, defeating Kentucky-bred grade 3 winner Souper Sensational . For the year the filly won four of eight starts and earned $310,600.

Cilla was both the first North American winner and first black-type winner for her sire, a two-time Horse of the Year. Brinkman and Ladner both bred her and raced her dam. Sittin at the Bar won 11 of 19 starts, including nine Louisiana-bred stakes, earning $705,896, and has produced nothing but runners.

Cilla, whose name in Welsh means "venerable," in 2022, has added wins in the Orleans Stakes and Louisiana-Bred Premier Matron Stakes, both at Delta Downs. Her earnings sit at $484,000.