Mike Repole bought out his partners in the champion 3-year-old filly of 2022–Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners and Michael House–for a co-topping $6 million at last fall's Fasig-Tipton November sale.

“When we put her in the sale, I really went there with a game plan of she might retire as a broodmare,” Repole said.

“The Japanese were bidding on her and I've seen so many of these horses go to Japan, and, honestly, I didn't want her to go. If it was Mandy Pope, Coolmore or Spendthrift bidding on her, I would've probably let her go. So, I now owned her 100 percent without partners and I thought, 'You know what? Let's race her.'”

Repole continued, “We gave her time and she's training now at Stonestreet in Ocala. She should be back to Todd (Pletcher) by May 1. I'm excited to watch her run at Saratoga and into the year.”

Nest's sensational sophomore campaign was led by a trio of wins at the top level–the GI Central Bank Ashland S., GI Coaching Club American Oaks and GI Alabama S.–and also runner-up finishes in the GI Kentucky Oaks and GI Belmont S., respectively.

Nest brought a co-topping $6 million at the 2023 Fasig-Tipton November sale | Fasig-Tipton

Fourth as the favorite in that term's GI Breeders' Cup Distaff at Keeneland, Nest kicked off her 4-year-old stand a bit later than anticipated due to a fever, but she showed no signs of rust with a stylish 2 1/4-length victory over MGISW Clairiere (Curlin) in the GII Shuvee S. at Saratoga July 23. She didn't look anything like herself in her next two attempts, however, beaten both times as the favorite behind future champion Idiomatic (Curlin), finishing a punchless third in the GI Personal Ensign S. at Saratoga Aug. 25 and a well-beaten fourth by 11 1/4 lengths in the GI Spinster S. at Keeneland last out Oct. 8.

“She started late last year,” Repole said. “She ran a great first race and it was probably a little bit too much, too soon. We'll try to get her there a little bit earlier this year–maybe get a race into her in either June or July. We'll get her a nice spot and go from there. We're excited about bringing her back.”

Were any issues discovered with the bay following her head-scratching effort in Lexington last fall?

“Yeah, she was fourth,” Repole replied with a laugh. “And Nest doesn't usually run fourth. She had three races in like an eight-nine week period and it was just too much. She's had a really good rest and I think we have some unfinished business.”

One of 21 Grade I winners for the mighty Curlin, Nest was bred in Kentucky by Ashview Farm and Colts Neck Stables. She brought $350,000 from Repole Stable and company as a yearling out of the Ashview Farm consignment at the 2020 Keeneland September sale.

Her stakes-winning A.P. Indy dam Marion Ravenwood–also responsible for 2021 GI Santa Anita H. winner Idol (Curlin); MSW & GSP Lost Ark (Violence); and MSP Dr Jack (Pioneerof the Nile)–brought $2.6 million from Coolmore's M. V. Magnier in foal to Curlin at the 2022 Keeneland November sale.

Repole is also vested in Nest's aforementioned big brother Idol, who began his career at stud as a Repole Stable/Taylor Made Stallions Venture in 2023 after carrying the colors of Calvin Nguyen during his racing career.

As for Nest, Repole concluded, “She's healthy, happy and sound. And ready to race one more year and maybe make a run for champion older filly.”

NEST!!!!!

She is back in training at Stonestreet for her 5 year old campaign.

She should be at Saratoga May 1st. https://t.co/915iqYq2uH

— Repole Stable (@RepoleStable) February 27, 2024

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“I think she definitely deserves some votes for Horse of the Year,” said trainer Brad Cox. “It's a serious record. It's Horse of the Year, not horse of the fall, horse of the summer, horse of the spring, or horse of the Breeders' Cup. She has had a tremendous year from start to finish. Today was just icing on the cake.”

Idiomatic kicked off 2023 with two optional allowance wins at Turfway Park, followed by her first black-type win in the listed Latonia S. in March. While it's safe to say Idiomatic is the first Breeders' Cup winner to come out of that race, it would catapult Idiomatic to graded company. After a runner-up finish, her only 2023 loss, in the GII Ruffian S., Cox teamed her up with Florent Geroux. The two have never lost in their five consecutive pairings, all graded stakes, and have hit triple-digit Beyer Speed Figures every time. Those five straight included both the GI Spinster S., sponsored by her owner and breeder, and GI Personal Ensign S. in her last two starts.

Geroux reflected on the year immediately following the Distaff: “Her prior victories have been very easy for her, but this one she had to earn it. She showed how great she was, and she deserved to be the champion just because of how much fight she showed today and how much heart.

“Sometimes that's what makes the difference between good horses and great horses, and I think she's one of the greats for sure.”

Idiomatic | Benoit

In Saturday's older-mare showcase, GI Alabama S. winner Randomized (Nyquist) shot to the Distaff lead when the gates flew as Idiomatic, under a hard hold, tracked her in second behind :22.31 and :46.26 fractions. Idiomatic began moving on Randomized with three furlongs to go as MGISW Clairiere–another daughter of Curlin–found a dream seam from the back of the field and threatened menacingly from the inside. Idiomatic and Randomized hooked up on the turn to fight down the lane–yet another great battle in a race which has seen some of the sport's top skirmishes. Idiomatic wore down Randomized to shake loose, but not by much, as a mad scramble ensued behind her and the wire loomed. In the end, Idiomatic, a super-sized filly, prevailed by a half-length over Randomized as Spinster second Le Da Vida (Chi) (Gemologist) outfinished Clairiere for third.

“When I needed her the most, the last eighth of a mile when I really went after her and gave her the indication of going forward,” said Geroux, “she just put her head down and start digging for me really hard. She was all heart in that victory.”

Cox and Geroux had previously partnered for Distaff wins in 2018 and 2020 with Monomoy Girl (Tapizar). It was Juddmonte's first win in the Distaff, although the organization has had a number of other top fillies and mares on the grass in the Breeders' Cup, including 2018 Turf winner Enable (GB) (Nathaniel {Ire}) and 2001 and 2005 Filly and Mare Turf-winning full-sisters Banks Hill (GB) (Danehill) and Intercontinental (GB) (Danehill). Like Idiomatic, they were all homebreds sporting the famed green and pink silks.

After the Distaff, Juddmonte's Garrett O'Rourke added: “[Idiomatic] comes from a pedigree that is Juddmonte through and through. And her dam is Juddmonte, granddam is Juddmonte, her maternal grandsire is Juddmonte. That's tremendously satisfying for an owner/breeder operation like Prince Khalid and his sons.”

On Saturday, Juddmonte also won the aforementioned Sprint with Elite Power, although he was a $900,000 Keeneland September purchase rather than a homebred.

REPLAY: Idiomatic wins the $2 Million @LonginesEq #BreedersCup Distaff! Congrats to her connections! #BC23 pic.twitter.com/eWsJuG29Kt

— Breeders' Cup (@BreedersCup) November 4, 2023

Pedigree Notes:

Juddmonte is recognized across the sport for one of the most extraordinary breeding programs in modern times; in few horses is that more evident than with Idiomatic. A fourth-generation Juddmonte-bred, Idiomatic hails from the direct female line of Broodmare of the Year Best in Show (Traffic Judge), her fifth dam, whose daughters and descendants have produced elite horses for five decades. Among that number was 'TDN Rising Star' and champion Close Hatches, a full-sister to Idiomatic's stakes-winning and multiple Grade I-placed dam, Lockdown. Close Hatches produced 2019 GII Wood Memorial S. winner Tacitus (Tapit), who also placed in both the GI Kentucky Derby and GI Belmont S.

Idiomatic | Benoit

Juddmonte homebred and broodmare sire First Defence, sire of Close Hatches and Lockdown, hails from Juddmonte Broodmare of the Year Toussaud (El Gran Senor) and is out of that legendary mare's GISW daughter Honest Lady (Seattle Slew). Honest Lady finished second against the boys in the 2000 GI Breeders' Cup Sprint and the 2000 GI Met Mile. First Defence has 14 stakes winners out of his daughters and currently stands in Saudi Arabia, while Lockdown died in 2022 after producing just three foals. Idiomatic is the only one to race to date; her final foal is a yearling filly by Into Mischief named Chasten.

The accolades also continue for Idiomatic's sire Curlin, who notched his sixth individual Breeders' Cup winner Saturday with the Distaff winner. Idiomatic's Breeders' Cup win, combined with Curlin's other Saturday repeat victories, made eight winning World Championship races as a sire for the chestnut. It was also his second consecutive year with the Distaff crown, as he also had 2022 winner Malathaat. The tremendous Curlin has 21 Grade I winners to his credit, as well as 55 graded winners and 98 black-type winners worldwide.

Saturday, Santa Anita Park
LONGINES BREEDERS' CUP DISTAFF-GI, $1,820,000, Santa Anita, 11-4, 3yo/up, f/m, 1 1/8m, 1:50.57, ft.
1–IDIOMATIC, 124, f, 4, by Curlin
        1st Dam: Lockdown (SW & MGISP, $445,900), by First Defence
        2nd Dam: Rising Tornado, by Storm Cat
        3rd Dam: Silver Star (GB), by Zafonic
O/B-Juddmonte Farms Inc. (KY); T-Brad H. Cox; J-Florent Geroux. $1,040,000. Lifetime Record: 12-9-1-2, $2,456,840.
Click for the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree.
2–Randomized, 121, f, 3, by Nyquist
        1st Dam: French Passport, by Elusive Quality
        2nd Dam: Air France, by French Deputy
        3rd Dam: Twin Propeller, by Known Fact
($420,000 Ylg '21 KEESEP). O-Klaravich Stables, Inc.; B-Cove Springs, LLC (KY); T-Chad C. Brown. $340,000.
3–Le Da Vida (Chi), 124, m, 6, by Gemologist
        1st Dam: Viene Cantando (Chi) (MG1SW-Chi, $119,875), by Gstaad
        2nd Dam: Cantan Las Flores (Chi), by Dynamix
        3rd Dam: Lanza Flores (Chi), by Gallantsky
O-Masaiva Inc.; B-Haras Santa Olga (Chi); T-Ignacio Correas, IV. $180,000.
Margins: HF, NO, NK. Odds: 1.80, 7.90, 16.60.
Also Ran: Clairiere, Desert Dawn, Search Results, Adare Manor, Wet Paint, Hoosier Philly. Scratched: A Mo Reay, Pretty Mischievous. Click for the Equibase.com chart or the TJCIS.com PPs. VIDEO, sponsored by Fanduel TV.

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“Zenyatta was the ultimate,” said Robinson. “I can't say enough superlatives about her. I could speak endlessly about her.

“The real satisfaction is I delivered her mother, too. I had three generations, so it's kind of the breeder's ultimate reward. Their owner–Eric Kronfeld, who has passed away–over the years we became very fast friends. We formed such a very close human relationship that became obviously closer and closer over Zenyatta's career. He was a great friend. I still miss him.

“My family has been three or four generations in the Thoroughbred business. I don't think we ever could have thought we'd have the good fortune to be such an integral part of such a magnificent horse like Zenyatta. I feel she's the best horse of our lifetimes. I'll leave that to others to decide, but no matter who I run into, people tell me that they feel she's the best horse they've ever heard of or seen. It's heartwarming; it's rewarding; it's all the superlatives.

Zenyatta in September at Lane's End | Sarah Andrew

“The three generations of her family that I had started with For the Flag [Zenyatta's granddam], whom Eric very carefully bred to the Roberto line to get Vertigineux [Zenyatta's dam]. He was so taken with Street Cry that he bred Vertigineux to her and got Zenyatta. I never knew she'd be that kind of horse; you just never know.

“I'd raised all of Vertigineux's foals. It was a really neat family. Balance [Zenyatta's half-sister by Thunder Gulch] was totally precocious. She felt like a quick 2-year-old, so fast and so hot. She was quite remarkable. She'd get away from you. Zenyatta had much more cool; she was a bit more level headed.

“Of course, everyone knows the infamous story about Zenyatta at the [2005 Keeneland September] sale: Street Cry wasn't particularly well received and she was immature. She had a Street Cry hind leg; there was no precocity to her at all.

Zenyatta | Sarah Andrew

“There were really just two people interested in her at all and I think David Ingordo had a little bit of a leg up because Balance was really impressive and he was either in the same barn or next to the barn of Balance.

“Zenyatta looked like a project to many people. She didn't grab them. We thought more of her, but we got her on the ground and raised her well, I hope.

“But the best thing that ever happened was that David purchased her for Jerry Moss, who was one of the more patient owners. He and [trainer] John Shirreffs just really had a sense of Thoroughbreds and giving them time. What a great team. They left the horses alone if they needed it and gave them the time they needed to mature.

“I think that time was really essential for Zenyatta. So much of the key is giving them the time they need.

“My friend Eric Kronfeld said, 'I never could have done that; I would been impatient.' Most people would, but she was in the right hands.”

Zenyatta and Mike Smith celebrate after the 2009 Classic with trainer John Shirreffs in the background | Sarah Andrew

Robinson also talked about Zenyatta's three Breeders' Cup appearances. She won the 2008 Ladies' Classic, briefly rebranded as that name from the Distaff; the 2009 Classic against the boys as the only filly or mare to win the Breeders' Cup's signature race; and then closed out her career with her only official loss in 20 starts in the 2010 Classic.

“My favorite race, what I thought was her crown,” said Robinson, “was her Distaff. She went off–for her–at a fairly long price and was discounted some because she had remained in California, except for the Apple Blossom in Arkansas. She just annihilated the field. That race was, 'Oh my goodness; she's the real deal.' She just performed like no other horse. She was pretty unusual. And then she kept improving.

“When I went to her Distaff, I had not seen Zenyatta since I'd raised her. I was kind of leaning around the wall in the saddling paddock when she made a pass by. She went past me, stopped, and turned her head completely around. She took her time, looked straight at me. There was no question she sensed me. It was like she was saying, 'Where have you been?' She had such a presence. It really gave me the chills. She singled me out, no question. Isn't that remarkable? She was just an incredibly unusual horse. She was so intelligent.

Zenyatta and her team | Sarah Andrew

“Everyone loves the Classic she won, but I think her best race was the one at Churchill she lost in her last start. There was silence afterward. But I came away thinking, 'That was the most sensational race.' She was absolutely out of contact with the field. Floundering. For her to get up and just miss that wire by a head…. I've never seen a horse on dirt make up that kind of ground. It was the best.

“Sometimes I go to YouTube and look up Zenyatta. All her starts are there. You almost end up on the floor, it's so sensational to see her break patiently, get up, and measure the wire. You end up breathless.

“I'm 75 years old and the experience with her has been extraordinary.

“Now, years later, I still sort of pinch myself to think I had a horse like that on this land. To have raised her and to have that sort of extraordinary performance and career and presence and just everything… I can't imagine a greater experience in this industry, but hope springs eternal.”

Zenyatta (2004 dark bay or brown mare, Street Cry {Ire}–Vertigineux, by Kris S.)

Lifetime record: Horse of the Year, Ch. older mare (three times), MGISW, 20-19-1-0, $7,304,580

Breeders' Cup connections: B-Maverick Production, Limited (KY); O-Mr. and Mrs. Jerome S. Moss; T-John Shirreffs; J-Mike Smith.

Current location: Lane's End Farm, Versailles, Ky.

Breeders' Cup: Celebrating 40 Years of the Breeders' Cup from Thoroughbred Daily News on Vimeo.

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When Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum passed away early in 2021 after decades of prominence in Thoroughbred racing and breeding, it was unclear in the sport what would happen to his vast bloodstock and farm holdings. Racing needn't have worried. His daughter, Sheikha Hissa, catapulted into the public eye as the head of Shadwell right at the same time the racing stable was seeing a resurgence. The bedrock laid over decades of success by Sheikh Hamdan was the perfect foundation for stunning new success under the guidance of his daughter.

Sheikha Hissa is not yet 30, yet she seems to be instilling confidence throughout the sport–on American shores and beyond–by reinvigorating the Shadwell brand. She's doing it in Europe with Shadwell homebreds like English highweight Baaeed (GB), whose granddam was a Breeders' Cup winner for Shadwell, and she's doing it in the U.S. with sales purchases such as 2021 and 2022 champion Malathaat, who closed out her career with victory in last year's Breeders' Cup Distaff.

“Shadwell Farm in America is rebranding as Shadwell Racing,” said Jonathan Smyth, general manager of the American arm. “Under the leadership of Sheikha Hissa, there is a strong passion for the business, much like her late father. It's truly exciting for all of us to be part of the next chapter of Shadwell.”

Few things in this sport inspire passion and hope more than a Breeders' Cup winner. Malathaat provided just that. The elegant bay closed out her stellar career last November with a scintillating final-stride win in the Distaff after finishing third in the same race as a sophomore in 2021. Winner of the Kentucky Oaks, Alabama, and Ashland at three, her Distaff alongside Spinster and Personal Ensign wins at four was icing on the cake.

“What a day to remember! Malathaat's Breeders' Cup win was truly spectacular,” said Smyth. “She's an extraordinary mare, and her victory was a testament to her remarkable talent and incredible determination. I remember the atmosphere at the Breeders' Cup, where the best of the best came together to put on a show.

Malathaat at Shadwell last month | Sarah Andrew

“Malathaat's victory was the result of her not only being physically gifted but also having a beautiful, composed mind. [Trainer] Todd [Pletcher] and his team did an exceptional job preparing her for that race, and Johnny [Velazquez] gave her a thrilling ride.”

With back-to-back Eclipse Awards secure, Malathaat was retired after the Breeders' Cup and bred to leading sire Into Mischief this spring. Smyth reported she caught on the first attempt and has been determined to be carrying a filly. Despite her competitiveness and athleticism on the racetrack, Malathaat was known for her kindness off the track, making her a fan favorite.

“Malathaat's famously sweet disposition at the track has continued on the farm,” said Smyth. “She's like a big teddy bear, as kind and gentle as ever. Her friendly and amiable nature has made the transition from the track to farm life a smooth and delightful experience. She still requires peppermints, though!

“Malathaat has settled into life on the farm remarkably well,” continued Smyth. “She has a great temperament and a sweet disposition, making her a joy to be around. She has formed a close bond with [Shadwell homebred and 2021 GII Mother Goose winner] Zaajel, which is heartwarming to witness.”

GSW Zaajel and Malathaat with Brittany Carter (broodmare manager), Larry Howard, PJ Dilger, and Maddie Danna | Sarah Andrew

Malathaat's presence in the Shadwell racing stable was a bit of a departure from the usual for Shadwell, as she was a $1.05-million buy at the Keeneland September sale from Stonestreet, who bred and consigned her, during Sheikh Hamdan's tenure. Shadwell has had a mountain of success with homebreds in the past, but hasn't shied away from sales purchases either.

“Shadwell has historically been known for its breeding-to-race approach,” said Smyth, “and that continues to be our primary focus in the American division. However, we do participate in sales as well. Sheikh Hamdan had a particular fondness for the Keeneland September sales, and it's been a wonderful tradition to carry on.

“We can't emphasize enough how fortunate we feel to have her as part of our stable. Malathaat is a beautifully balanced filly, and her walk is simply amazing. It's been an incredible journey since that acquisition, filled with victories and a deep sense of pride for Shadwell for owning a horse of such exceptional quality.”

Malathaat's dam, Dreaming of Julia, was named 2022's Broodmare of the Year for Stonestreet, based in no small part on Malathaat's contributions to her accomplishments. Like Malathaat, both her dam and granddam were Grade I winners, which never hurts when one considers the potential of her future foals.

Malathaat with Maddie Danna (left) and Brittany Carter (right) | Sarah Andrew

“We have big hopes for Malathaat's future as a broodmare,” said Smyth. “We have a lot of options when it comes to selecting stallions for her, and our primary focus is on breeding to race. The plan is to race the offspring she produces and continue the tradition of excellence that Shadwell is known for in the world of horse racing.”

While it will be a minimum of nearly three years before Malathaat's first foal can have an opportunity at the races, Malathaat herself has represented new hope for the Shadwell team and an excitement for what the future holds.

“Having a successful American horse like Malathaat early on in the midst of all the changes at Shadwell, with Sheikha Hissa at the helm, is truly significant,” said Smyth. “Sheikha Hissa has achieved phenomenal success globally in the last two years and Malathaat's accomplishments are a testament to that. We hope to build on this success and uphold our commitment to continue the amazing operation her father built. It's a promising start to the next chapter of Shadwell under her leadership.”

While Malathaat may be part of the new look and new future of Shadwell Racing, the old also remains prominent. Nowhere is this more evident than with another Breeders' Cup winner, 2007 Filly & Mare Turf victress Lahudood (GB). Following a French campaign, the Shadwell homebred was supplemented to the Breeders' Cup for $180,000 after a win in the GI Flower Bowl. Eventually named champion grass mare in the U.S., Lahudood was part of the lone Breeders' Cup edition at Monmouth Park. That renewal tends to be remembered as much for the soggy conditions as for the winners.

Lahudood in the 2007 Breeders' Cup | Sarah Andrew/Equi-Photo

“On the day Lahudood triumphed at the Breeders' Cup,” remembered Smyth, “the ground was exceptionally soft due to the rain at Monmouth Park. Undeterred by the conditions, she displayed exceptional skill and resilience. She broke from the gate very well and encountered some tight spots in the pack. However, a remarkably tough-minded filly, [she] held her own and found herself in second place at the halfway mark. As they reached the final turn, she surged forward with unwavering determination and astonishing speed, never slowing down. Her victory was a testament to her remarkable spirit.

“The translation of Lahudood's name, meaning 'no frontiers', couldn't be more fitting. It perfectly encapsulates her fearless and boundless determination on the track.”

Yet, remarkably, Lahudood's Breeders' Cup win would not be her biggest contribution to the Shadwell program. Herself a third-generation Shadwell homebred tracing directly to the wonderful Height of Fashion (Fr), Lahudood has done much to boost that line since Sheikh Hamdan's death. Height of Fashion, of course, was famously acquired from Queen Elizabeth II and produced the magnificent Shadwell homebred champion and G1 Epsom Derby winner Nashwan, as well as additional highweights Nayef and Unfuwain and three more stakes winners. While a number of top-class winners trace to her through her daughters and their descendants, it's a safe bet Lahudood might be responsible for her greatest current legacy.

Lahudood last month at Shadwell | Sarah Andrew

Lahudood's French black-type winning daughter, the Kingmambo mare Aghareed, is the dam of not only Baaeed–a spectacular 10 for 11 in 2021 and 2022 at the most elite level–but also of Hukum (Ire), another multiple Group 1 winner in 2022 and 2023.

“The satisfaction of having a homebred like Lahudood win the Breeders' Cup,” said Smyth, “and then continue to provide excitement through her progeny is immense. Sheikh Hamdan's deep love for homebred fillies makes this accomplishment even more significant. It's a true testament to the success and legacy of their breeding program.”

Baaeed, a son of Sea The Stars (Ire), retired to Shadwell's Nunnery Stud in the UK at the end of 2022 and covered his first mares this year. Hukum, his full-brother, remains in the ownership of Shadwell but will stand his first season at Darley Japan in 2024.

“Without a doubt, the influence of a mare like Lahudood being the second dam of Baaeed and Hukum is nothing short of remarkable,” said Smyth. “She holds a special place within Shadwell's breeding program, and her impact is profound. Owning a mare of such caliber is a testament to the depth and quality of Shadwell's breeding families. It showcases a dedication to preserving and elevating the standards of Thoroughbred racing and breeding. The influence of this exceptional mare continues to shape Shadwell's breeding program, and her legacy is a source of pride for the Shadwell family and all who appreciate the beauty and power of these magnificent animals.”

Lahudood, now 20, had her final foal in 2021. By Kitten's Joy, the colt has been named Sumood and has not yet raced. Smyth said two of Lahudood's daughters remain part of Shadwell's broodmare band in Kentucky.

“We have great hopes that the mares will take after their older sister and produce high-end athletes,” said Smyth.

As for Lahudood, she's been pensioned “and is living her best life in our sheds with the other retired mares.”

Lahudood with Jose Valenzuela | Sarah Andrew

Shadwell has had other Breeders' Cup successes over the years, most notably with 2006 Classic winner Invasor (Arg), Horse of the Year in both the U.S. and Uruguay, and 2016 Dirt Mile winner Tamarkuz. Still owned by Shadwell, Invasor spent most of his stud career in Uruguay, where he was recently pensioned. Tamarkuz stands at Ballycroy Bloodstock in Canada. Shadwell's American arm is not currently standing any stallions.

“The American division of Shadwell–Shadwell Farm–was established in 1984,” said Smyth. “It has been a significant part of Shadwell's global success in the horse racing industry.

“As for the future of Shadwell, we're all looking forward to continuing the remarkable legacy of Shadwell and the exciting developments that lie ahead. It's a joy to see the Shadwell legacy continued with such dedication and enthusiasm.”

In addition to all those top-class homebreds gracing the fields, four yearling fillies purchased at the recent Keeneland September sale will be added to the racing stable and eventually the broodmare ranks. Sheikha Hissa attended the sale and personally picked them out, said Smyth. Among the purchases were a $2.3-million Into Mischief filly and a $1.1-million Medaglia d'Oro filly.

“It's an exciting blend of the old and new, combining our traditional breeding approach with strategic sales acquisitions to continue Shadwell's success in the racing world,” said Smyth.

From a freshly retired Breeders' Cup winner carrying her first foal to a pensioned Breeders' Cup winner who has contributed so significantly to the tremendous success synonymous with the Shadwell brand, the new Shadwell Racing is poised to honor the past as it melds into the future.

Later this week, Shadwell Racing has homebred Mostahdaf (Ire) pointing to the 40th renewal of the Breeders' Cup Turf. A win by the dual Group 1 winner would add yet another page to the sequel now being written at Shadwell. Win or lose, yet another Breeders' Cup contender seems a fitting way to honor Sheikh Hamdan's legacy and usher in the future with Sheikha Hissa at the helm.

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“Search Results has been such a wonderful horse not only for us to work with, but for Seth and Beth Klarman,” said Chad Brown. “In a tough profession where you deal with a lot of ups and downs and a lot of changes with each individual horse from day to day, she's a rare horse that was very uncomplicated. When you came into the barn in the morning or you went to the paddock in the afternoon, you could always depend on Search Results.”

Mike Ryan, a member of the scouting team for Klaravich, has high hopes for Search Results going into Saturday's race, but he is even more confident in how she will be received when she hits Newtown Paddocks on Nov. 7.

“To win the Breeders' Cup would be off the charts,” he said. “It would be the culmination of a fantastic career. She will sell well. I know people are going to love her because she's a spectacular physical. I can't fault her and I don't think anybody else will. She's elegant. She's got size, strength, substance, quality, class and presence. She's the full package.”

Ryan has been high on Search Results ever since he first saw the filly as a yearling at Machmer Hall in the summer of 2019.

Flash forward to the eighth session of the Keeneland September Sale and the image of the Flatter filly from Machmer Hall was still fresh in his mind. He was just as impressed with the youngster on the sales grounds.

“She was an absolutely beautiful filly,” he recalled. ” A good size, strong, feminine, very powerful through her quarters and she moved like a cheetah. Her mind was fantastic. I told Chad that this was a filly that we needed to try and buy.”

The promising bay, who was out of Grade III-placed Co Cola, wound up topping the session when she sold to Ryan for $310,000.

As consistent as she was talented, Search Results went on to place in all but one of her 16  career starts, with earnings to date of just short of $2 million.

Search Results get her first career graded stakes win in the 2021 GIII Gazelle S. | Search Results

Undefeated in her first three starts including a Grade III score in the Gazelle S., Search Results was handed her first career loss when she finished a close neck behind champion Malathaat (Curlin) in the GI Kentucky Oaks. The field also included four-time Grade I winner Clairiere (Curlin), plus Grade I winners Maracuja (Honor Code) and Pauline's Pearl (Tapit).

It was a race that, to Ryan, emphasizes the filly's outstanding talent.

“She ran against the best of her generation,” he explained. “Malathaat was a terrific filly and if Search Results had switched to her correct lead that day, she may have beaten her. We'll never know. She was just born in a year with some very tough fillies and I think eight out of 10 years she might have been an Oaks winner. She competed at the highest level throughout her career and never disappointed.”

Turning back to a mile to claim the GI Acorn in her next start, Search Results delivered what Brown said he believes was her best effort.

“For her to come right back in five weeks and run as well as she did in the Acorn showed a lot about her constitution, resiliency, class and durability,” he noted. “That was a very tough stretch dual in the Oaks and I was so impressed with how she bounced out of it and was able to get the Grade I at Belmont.”

Search Results again stamped herself as a top performer as an older horse, adding to her resume with wins in the GII Ruffian S. and GIII Molly Pitcher at four and the GIII Locust Grove S. in her most recent start this year at five. She has also earned four additional Grade I placings, including two half-length runner-up efforts to Malathaat in the 2022 GI Personal Ensign and to Clairiere in the 2023 GI Ogden Phipps.

“She has won sprinting and going around two turns, so she is a very versatile horse,” said Brown. “She's very consistent and efficient in the way she moves. She's also a pleasure to work with in the barn. She's got a great attitude and a laid-back mind. Anyone that has had the pleasure of having their hands on her has commented on what a classy, sweet mare she is.”

Search Results fights off GISW Obligatory (Curlin) to get the win in the 2021 Acorn S. | Sarah Andrew

“She never shunned competition,” added Ryan. “Half her starts were in Grade I races and she competed in all of them. It was pretty amazing because she never really got a lot of downtime. She never had a soundness issue. I bet when she walks in here to Fasig-Tipton, she'll have legs like a yearling.”

Selling as Hip 179, Search Results will be offered by ELiTE Sales on the Night of the Stars.

Fasig-Tipton's Boyd Browning said that the daughter of Flatter's pedigree is another bonus to her credentials as a broodmare prospect.

“Flatter was known to be a racehorse sire,” he explained. “They're hard-knocking and trying–those attributes that you look for and hope that they'll pass on to future generations. I think you've got a real opportunity with Search Results to combine the finest attributes of both Flatter and Candy Ride, along with an outstanding pedigree, race record and physical.”

“Search Results should attract buyers both domestically and internationally,” added Brown. “She's such a flawless physical specimen and her consistency and soundness, which is so important to try to pass on to our breed, is really hard to match with anything else you could find.

Brown reiterated just how much Search Results will be missed within his operation, but noted that her next chapter as a broodmare will make way for the next generation of Klaravich trainees.

“This is going to be a hard horse to let go of because she has been so special to us, but the Klarmans are so active in the sport and they're looking toward the next chapter with these young horses that we have,” he said. “Seth and Beth always want to do the right thing by the horses, from top-class mares like Search Results all the way to the horses that are still maidens. We're looking forward to hopefully developing the next Search Results.”

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“Round Pond is a sweet girl,” said Darley's Gainsborough division farm manager Danny Mulvihill, “but is pretty low on the totem pole. She will come for food but likes to play hard to catch! I am sure I have heard her 'laughing' as she runs away from you. She tends to be happy with her own company and doesn't need a whole lot of attention. She is another fan favorite when the tours come through.”

Round Pond (2002 bay mare, Awesome Again–Gift of Dance, by Trempolino)

Lifetime record: MGISW, 13-7-2-3, $1,998,700

Breeders' Cup connections: B-Trudy McCaffery & John Toffan (KY); O-Fox Hill Farms, Inc.; T-Michael Matz; J-Edgar Prado.

Current location: Darley America, Lexington, Ky.

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“She is the dominant mare in her retired group,” said Danny Mulvihill, farm manager at Darley's Gainsborough division. “No matter who is added to the group, she remains 'Top Dog'. With that being said, she is very easy to deal with and is a sweetheart but will let you know when she is not happy about something. She loves attention and is extremely food driven! She is definitely an easy keeper. She was a great mom to all of her babies and is now enjoying a happy retirement. She is, of course, one of the fan favorites when the tours come through.”

Ashado (2001 dark bay or brown mare, Saint Ballado–Goulash, by Mari's Book)

Lifetime record: Ch. 3yo filly, Ch. older mare, MGISW, 21-12-4-3, $3,931,440

Breeders' Cup connections: B-Aaron U. Jones & Marie D. Jones (KY); O-Starlight Stable LLC, Paul Saylor, and Johns Martin; T-Todd Pletcher; J-John Velazquez.

Current location: Darley America, Lexington, Ky.

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“While Nest has been galloping well since the Spinster, we just don't feel she's at her best for the Breeders' Cup Distaff,” Pletcher told TDN Saturday. “She's a remarkable talent who should generate a lot of attention at the Fasig-Tipton Night of the Stars Sale.”

A four-time Grade I winner in 2022, including in the Coaching Club American Oaks and Alabama S., the bay annexed one of three starts in 2023 and that was recorded when returning off an eight-month layoff to contest the GII Shuvee S. at Saratoga July 23.

The news comes on the heels of the announcement to sell the champion at the upcoming Fasig-Tipton November 'Night of the Stars' sale Nov. 7.

The filly's record currently stands at eight wins from 14 career starts and earnings in excess of $2 million.

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In the nearly 40-year history of the Breeders' Cup, only two sets of full-siblings have won Breeders' Cup races. It's difficult enough for a mare to produce one Breeders' Cup winner, but two individual Breeders' Cup winners? That's such a rarity only six mares have ever done it. And only two of those six have had lightning strike twice as they've produced two Breeders' Cup winners by the same sire. The first set, Juddmonte homebreds Banks Hill (GB) and Intercontinental (GB), won the GI Filly & Mare Turf in 2001 and 2004, respectively. By Danehill and out of the wonder mare Hasili (Ire), each wrapped up their broodmare careers in Great Britain.

Closer to home are full-sisters Sweet Catomine and Life Is Sweet. Both by Storm Cat out of the Kris S. mare Sweet Life, the Sweet sisters won the 2004 GI Juvenile Fillies and the 2009 GI Ladies Classic, respectively. Both raced as homebreds for Pam and Marty Wygod and both were uber-talented with a number of other top-class graded events on their CVs to go along with their Breeders' Cup wins.

The moment was cemented alongside Trevor Denman's call in 2009 at Santa Anita. Life Is Sweet, despite capturing the GI Santa Margarita and two other graded stakes earlier that year, had the distinct misfortune of running against the mighty Zenyatta three times in 2009. She was always a bit in Zenyatta's shadow, magnified because the two shared a conditioner in John Shirreffs. Zenyatta, the defending Ladies Classic winner, would skip the race in 2009 and face the boys in the Classic instead, which of course she would win in one of the most thrilling Breeders' Cup races to date. Without her stablemate, Life Is Sweet finally had her moment to shine and shine she did.

Life Is Sweet takes the 2009 Breeders' Cup Ladies Classic | Sarah Andrew

Life Is Sweet trailed about 20 lengths behind the leader leaving the backstretch, was still last coming off the turn, and borrowed a Zenyatta-like move. Denman captured the excitement:

“Life Is Sweet exploding in the center and Life Is Sweet looking like she just joined in at the quarter pole! And it's Life Is Sweet and Garrett Gomez annihilating them in the Breeders' Cup Ladies Classic. Life Is Sweet could not have been more impressive!”

Denman didn't mention the significance at the time of just the second set of full-sisters to win the Breeders' Cup, but owner Marty Wygod did in the winner's circle. And make no mistake, for a broodmare to accomplish that is a very, very big deal. Sweet Life would be named Broodmare of the Year in 2009.

The sisters Sweet were both foaled and raised at Mill Ridge Farm near Lexington. Ric Waldman of Storm Cat fame worked with the Wygods on the matings, according to Mill Ridge's Price Bell, Jr. Donnie Snellings, now with Denali Stud and the Kentucky Thoroughbred Farm Managers' Club's 2018 Farm Manager of the Year, was instrumental in raising both as fillies at Mill Ridge. Even today, so many years after they'd left his care, his affection for them still rings through.

“It was an immense gratification [to see them win the Breeders' Cup],” said Snellings. “That's what we do this for. We obviously work long hours and to see something you've raised turn out that way is immensely gratifying.

Sweet Catomine with Ruben Trujillo | Sarah Andrew

“Sweet Catomine was my special one. I really liked her. We raised her there on the farm and she was just a special filly. Sometimes when you're around good horses, they just give you a feel. She was super easy to deal with, had a great attitude, would do anything you asked her to do, very willing.”

Bell confirmed that Snellings knew early something exceptional was brewing with Sweet Catomine.

“Sometimes when you work with them, you just know there is something different,” said Bell. “I still remember him gloating about Sweet Catomine. He said she breathed different air. He had a soft spot for her. He talked about her with passion.”

Snellings was pleased to confirm it.

“You get a sense that the animal is special and she was very special. We had her up until she was a yearling, both of them until they went off for breaking,” said Snellings. “To see horses like that move on and go on to win the Breeders' Cup means we raised them the right way. It's very gratifying.

Life Is Sweet | Sarah Andrew

“Life Is Sweet I don't remember as well as Sweet Catomine, but that's just a fantastic family. How often does this happen? Two full-sisters winning the Breeders' Cup. How fortunate it is that both those fillies were raised at the farm. Mill Ridge has had some very special mares and some very special owners.”

Sweet Catomine broke her maiden in the GI Del Mar Debutante as the first in a five-race win streak–all in graded races–which included the Juvenile Fillies. She was a part of the late Julio Canani's barn. Her Breeders' Cup win, five years before her younger sister's, happened during the championship's stop at Lone Star Park. Tom Durkin had that call and it was just as exciting as Life Is Sweet's. Let's pick it up leaving the backstretch, with the patented Durkin energy that made every Breeders' Cup call indelible.

“Oh! Sweet Catomine had to check and it cost her dearly. She checked in traffic… Sweet Catomine now has running room. And here comes the big filly on the outside… Sweet Catomine has overpowered them and strides away impressively and unquestionably the 2-year-old filly champion. She wins by five.”

Sweet Catomine with Ruben Trujillo and Life Is Sweet with Pedro Valdivia at Lane's End | Sarah Andrew

Sweet Life was carrying Life Is Sweet in utero when Sweet Catomine won her Breeders' Cup. The mare had three more foals by Storm Cat: the MSW & MSP colt named Calimonco and two unraced fillies. Another daughter, by Bernardini, would produce MGSW Modernist, a son of Uncle Mo whose first foals were born this year. He stands at Darby Dan Farm.

“It's a phenomenal family that we worked with and raised for the Wygods,” said Bell. “Those [Breeders' Cup] races were incredible.”

Both Breeders' Cup winners raced briefly after championship day. Sweet Catomine would be named the Eclipse champion 2-year-old filly and the next spring parlayed a GI Santa Anita Oaks victory into a try against the boys in the GI Santa Anita Derby. To the disappointment of many in the sport, she wasn't herself that day and finished fifth as the odds-on favorite, one spot behind eventual GI Kentucky Derby winner Giacomo. A controversy ensued, resulting in the Wygods removing her from Canani's barn to the Shirreffs shedrow, where she only spent a brief amount of time. She was eventually retired without racing again.

Life Is Sweet finished second in her one start the spring following her Breeders' Cup win, but she had a history of tying up and it was decided to retire her. It was in the days before TikTok and Instagram, but Shirreffs surely would have been a sensation if they'd been around. At the time, he uploaded a number of videos of Life Is Sweet around the barn to YouTube and they were extremely popular. Bell remembers them, too.

“In those early days when John would have a camera in the barn, he spent a lot of time with Life Is Sweet. He would feed her each morning as she was laying down. I just remember John loving on her, feeding her in the stall on the ground. It was beautiful, individual attention he would give to her and I'm sure all of his horses. He really showcases them as individuals.”

For an example of one of the videos, click here. Spoiler alert: it will warm even the hardest of hearts.

When contacted recently, Shirreffs shared the video and commented, “This is Life is Sweet, everything on her time.”

Ruben Trujillo and Sweet Catomine with Pedro Valdivia and Life Is Sweet | Sarah Andrew

Both Sweet Catomine and Life Is Sweet were retained by the Wygods and each produced several winners. They are now living the life of Riley together at Lane's End Farm near Versailles.

“Both are pensioned,” said Alys Emson, who works in client management at Lane's End. “Sweet Catomine had her last foal in 2018. Life Is Sweet had her last foal in 2021. This is the 2-year-old filly called Life's for Living [by Uncle Mo]. She was sold as a yearling [to Mathiesen Racing at Keeneland September for $170,000]. Mr. and Mrs. Wygod still board their mares with us and have retained various offshoots of the family.

“They are different physically,” continued Emson. “Sweet Catomine is a big, wide-chested mare that is very powerfully made. Life Is Sweet is a little smaller and more refined in type.

“We have a group of retired mares that live in two to three separate fields depending on the time of year. These two are in the same field. They are outside all the time unless they need special care. They are fed and checked twice a day and just allowed to enjoy life and do as they please.”

Broodmare of the Year Sweet Life passed away earlier this year at the age of 27 and was buried at Lane's End. As Juddmonte's Hasili was based primarily in Newmarket, Sweet Life remains the only U.S.-based mare to produce two Breeders' Cup-winning full-siblings. To borrow words from Bell and Snellings, surely “she breathed different air.”

The post The Sweet Sisters, One of Only Two Sets of Full-Siblings to Win the Breeders’ Cup appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

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This was the second Spinster title for Juddmonte, which began sponsoring the prestigious race in 2005. Emollient (Empire Maker) carried the famed green and pink to victory here in 2013.

Backed at even-money to repeat rival Nest (Curlin)'s 4-5 odds, the Brad Cox trainee took clear command from the outset, doled out splits of :24.49, :48.31 and 1:12.24 and never faced an ounce of pressure all the way to the wire, which she crossed 4 1/4 lengths to the good. Le Da Vida (Chi) (Gemologist) was second, while Bellamore (Empire Maker) rounded out the trifecta. Nest could only muster a mild late bid and settled for fourth. The final time was 1:49.82.

“Actually, it was not easy looking at the race on paper with Nest being in there, a very good filly,” said winning rider Florent Geroux. “But my filly just keeps on improving and we know the distance is not a problem. She just keeps improving, and Brad and his team had her at her prime again today. She's just getting better and better, and I can't wait to ride her again.”

After methodically moving through her allowance conditions at Turfway Park at the start of the year, Idiomatic made her stakes debut a winning one in that venue's Latonia S. in March. She was a well-beaten second in Belmont's GII Ruffian S. in May before putting them back-to-back in the GIII Shawnee S. at Churchill in June and GII Delaware H. the following month. Idiomatic was last seen defeating the accomplished pair of Secret Oath (Arrogate) and Nest in a sloppy renewal of Saratoga's GI Personal Ensign S. Aug. 25.

This was Brad Cox's first Spinster victory. Of winning it for the famed operation whose name it carries, he said, “It's very special, and I want to thank [owner Fahad bin] Mr. Khalid and his family and obviously the Juddmonte team here in America. This is a big win for this filly, it's her second Grade I. She's had a fantastic year. [This race is] a 'Win and You're In' [for] the Breeders' Cup so we're excited about that. I've run four or five fillies in the past in [this race] and haven't had much luck, so she was able to break through for us today.”

Cox said of Idiomatic, “She's a tremendous talent, very physical, really. When I was saddling her in the paddock, I was, like, 'Wow, she's the biggest horse I've ever trained.' She's a monster. She has a tremendous stride and covers so much ground. She's really a freak–I mean, she really is a tremendous talent, and we're very fortunate to have her.”

Sunday, Keeneland
JUDDMONTE SPINSTER S.-GI, $580,250, Keeneland, 10-8, 3yo/up, f/m, 1 1/8m, 1:49.82, ft.
1–IDIOMATIC, 124, f, 4, by Curlin
               1st Dam: Lockdown (SW & MGISP, $445,900),
                              by First Defence
               2nd Dam: Rising Tornado, by Storm Cat
               3rd Dam: Silver Star (GB), by Zafonic
O/B-Juddmonte Farms Inc (KY); T-Brad H. Cox; J-Florent
Geroux. $367,350. Lifetime Record: 11-8-1-2, $1,416,840.
Click for the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree.
2–Le Da Vida (Chi), 124, m, 6, by Gemologist
               1st Dam: Viene Cantando (Chi) (MG1SW-Chi,
                               $119,875), by Gstaad
               2nd Dam: Cantan Las Flores (Chi), by Dynamix
               3rd Dam: Lanza Flores (Chi), by Gallantsky
O-Masaiva Inc.; B-Haras Santa Olga (CHI); T-Ignacio Correas, IV.
$98,750.
3–Bellamore, 124, m, 5, by Empire Maker
               1st Dam: Smart N Soft, by Smart Strike
               2nd Dam: Softly, by Binalong
               3rd Dam: Coragil, by Metfield
($170,000 Ylg '19 KEESEP; $350,000 2yo '20 OBSAPR).
O-Kaleem Shah, Inc.; B-Gainesway Thoroughbreds Ltd. (KY);
T-Carlos Santamaria. $59,250.
Margins: 4 1/4, 2HF, 4HF. Odds: 1.06, 12.90, 25.51.
Also Ran: Nest, Sixtythreecaliber, Malloy. Scratched: Misty Veil.
Click for the Equibase.com chart and the TJCIS.com PPs. VIDEO, sponsored by FanDuel TV.

Pedigree Notes:
Idiomatic is the second-straight Spinster winner by super sire Curlin (last year's winner Malathaat took the Distaff next out en route to her second-straight Eclipse), and one of his 22 highest-level winners.

Idiomatic is a fourth-generation Juddmonte-bred and hails from the direct female line of Broodmare of the Year Best in Show (Traffic Judge), whose daughters have been brilliant producers and are responsible for a plethora of top horses over the last 50 or so years. One of those top horses was Juddmonte homebred, 'TDN Rising Star', and champion Close Hatches (First Defence), a full-sister to Idiomatic's stakes-winning and multiple Grade I-placed dam, Lockdown, who was fourth in the 2017 Juddmonte as a sophomore. Close Hatches is the dam of Tacitus (Tapit), whose big wins included the 2019 GII Wood Memorial S. and whose placings included the GI Kentucky Derby and GI Belmont S.

Broodmare sire First Defence, another Juddmonte homebred descending from the operation's wonderful Broodmare of the Year Toussuad (El Gran Senor), has 14 stakes winners out of his daughters. He is also the broodmare sire of 2021 GI Hollywood Derby hero Beyond Brilliant (Twirling Candy). First Defence now stands in Saudi Arabia.

Lockdown died in 2022 after producing just three foals. She has an unraced 3-year-old filly named Abditory (Medaglia d'Oro) and a yearling filly by Into Mischief.

Watch the full replay as Juddmonte's IDIOMATIC wins the @JuddmonteFarms Spinster (G1) in decisive fashion! pic.twitter.com/pAqmZx7ntx

— Keeneland Racing (@keenelandracing) October 8, 2023

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