Wednesday, November 6, 2024

Third Time’s the Charm for Moira in Filly & Mare Turf

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Fifth in the 2022 edition of the Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Turf (G1T) at Keeneland and third last year at Santa Anita Park, the third time proved the charm for Moira  as the 2022 Canadian Horse of the Year broke through in the $2 million race Nov. 2 at Del Mar.

“I always say she’s never got the respect she deserved,” said her trainer Kevin Attard. “Today I think she solidified how good a horse she is.”

Moira has pulled off a double that only two horses have done before: winning the Queen’s Plate (now known as the King’s Plate) and a Breeders’ Cup event. The other two were 1991 Canadian Triple Crown winner Dance Smartly, who won the 1991 Breeders’ Cup Distaff (G1), and Awesome Again, who won the 1998 Breeders’ Cup Classic (G1).

“She’s just a great horse. She showed brilliance from the get-go,” Attard said. “Her win in the Queen’s Plate was so dominating against males, set a track record. Ironically enough, after that race she was kind of whispered or dubbed the next Dance Smartly.”

The 1 3/8-mile race could not have set up more perfectly for the Ontario-bred daughter of Ghostzapper   as she raced in midpack down the stretch the first time. Her Attard-trained stablemate Full Count Felicia , who had defeated Moira Sept. 14 in the E. P. Taylor Stakes (G1T), set the pace and posted fractions of :25.38, :49.84, and 1:15.08. Attard liked what he saw early from the eventual winner.

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“Today, there was just something different about her,” Attard said. “She was a lot more relaxed, a lot more settled. It was kind of eerie because I wasn’t sure what direction it was going to go.

It went the right direction as she responded to Prat—fresh off his victory aboard Sierra Leone  in the Breeders’ Cup Classic (G1) one race earlier—inching her up on the backstretch to be in contention with the leaders entering the straight. Taking the lead with a furlong to go, Moira held off the late charges of runner-up Cinderella’s Dream  and third-place Didia , who finished a half-length behind with a nose separating them for second and third. Moira completed the distance in 2:14.95 and paid $13.60 to win.

“I don’t even think as a kid I ever dreamt about winning a Breeders’ Cup race,” Attard said with emotion after the race. “Growing up in Canada, being based in Canada, my dream was to win the Queen’s Plate. Moira did that for me. Today to win a Breeders’ Cup—wow! I don’t even know what to say, I don’t think it’s sunk in yet.”

Photo: Skip Dickstein

Trainer Kevin Attard gives a hug to jockey Flavien Prat and Moira after winning the Breeders’ Cup Filly and Mare Turf

Winning a Breeders’ Cup race was one decision away from never happening. Entered in Fasig-Tipton’s 2023 The November Sale, bloodstock agent Donato Lanni had second thoughts of selling her as there was unfinished business on the course.

“If I sell this horse, I won’t be happy,” Lanni said. “Keep the horse, we’ll be happy.”

Still believing the Canadian Horse of the Year could add a grade 1 victory to her tally, Lanni paid $3 million to buy her back for owners Madaket Stables, SF Racing, and X-Men Racing.

“Everything came together at the right time,” said Tom Ryan of SF Racing. “Kevin peaked her at the right time. Donato wanted to keep this filly in training, bought her. … I couldn’t be more proud to be part of this ownership team.”

Ryan said they first united with Lanni in hopes of securing a contender for the Kentucky Derby (G1).

“The first horse he bought us was Authentic,” Ryan said of the 2020 Derby winner.

With the goal accomplished, Donato wanted to put together a team to buy a Queen’s Plate horse.

“The first one he bought is Moira,” Ryan said.

Both Authentic and Moira added Breeders’ Cup victories to their classic wins in their respective countries.

“I had a feeling, this is like a dream come true,” Lanni said. “My idea was to buy a Canadian-bred filly and win the Woodbine Oaks. I wanted to put together a bunch of my friends, Canadian friends of mine.”

Lanni said he’s been friends with Attard for 25 years and considers Ryan and Madaket Stables’ Sol Kumin dear friends.

(L-R): Donato Lanni and Kevin Attard in the winner’s circle after Moira with Flavien Prat win the Filly & Mare Turf (G1T) at Del Mar Racetrack in Del Mar, CA on November 2, 2024.
Photo: Anne M. Eberhardt

Bloodstock agent Donato Lanni (left) and trainer Kevin Attard

Time will tell, albeit a very short amount of time, if Team Moira again has second thoughts about selling her following her first career grade 1. The 5-year-old mare is again entered in the Nov. 4 Fasig-Tipton November sale as Hip 293, consigned by Hill ‘n’ Dale at Xalapa, agent.

Should this be the end of her racing career, it is one of legendary status among Canadian-bred horses. Bred by Adena Springs, Moira has a record of 7-6-2 from 17 starts for earnings of $2,996,017.

“I’m going to miss her,” Attard said tearfully. “Just so happy and so proud of her.”

Ghostzapper, who stood the 2024 season at Hill ‘n’ Dale for a $75,000 fee, will move to Adena Springs North and cover a limited book in 2025, likely his final season at stud. Moira joins Santa Anita Derby (G1) winner Stronghold  as the stallion’s second grade 1 winner of the year.

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