The world's best female grass horses compete in this 1 1/4 mile race on the Del Mar turf course for a $2 million purse.

Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Turf

The 2024 Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Turf will be held at Del Mar on Saturday, November 2nd. Bet & watch the race with OffTrackBetting.com (OTB) - US Legal Online Wagering.

RESULTS: MOIRA TAKES MAKER'S MARK BREEDERS' CUP FILLY & MARE TURF VICTORY

DEL MAR, Calif. (Nov. 2, 2024) - The third time was the charm as K-Men Racing, Madaket Stables and SF Racing's Moira assumed command entering the stretch and held off a late bid from Cinderella's Dream (GB) by a half-length to win the 26th running of the $2 million Maker's Mark Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Turf (G1) at Del Mar Saturday afternoon.

Trained by Kevin Attard and ridden by Flavien Prat, Moira completed the 1 3/8 miles over a firm turf course in 2:14.95. The victory is the first for Attard at the World Championships and the seventh for Prat and first in the Filly & Mare Turf.

The 5-year-old Ghostzapper mare had been fifth in this race in 2022 at Keeneland and third last year at Santa Anita.

Moira's stablemate Full Count Felicia set the pace with fractions of :25.38, :49.84 and 1:15.08 with Moira racing in mid-pack. On the far turn, Sunset Glory went after Full Count Felicia with Moira on the move right behind and taking over at the top of the lane.

Moira opened a daylight advantage in the lane and had enough left to hold off Cinderella's Dream, who got up to get second by a nose over Didia (ARG).

The victory, her first Grade 1, was worth $1,040,000 and boosted Moira's earnings to $2,996,017 with a record of 17-7-6-2.

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Anisette (GB)

The connections of Anisette (GB) waited five months for her comeback from a freshening and she showed them that she is well worth the wait. Competing for the first time since she capped her memorable 3-year-old season with a victory in the 1 ¼-mile American Oaks (G1) at Santa Anita on Dec. 26, the daughter of Awtaad (IRE) and the Teoflio (IRE) mare Tutti Fruitti (GB) rewarded them with a come-from-behind victory in the 1 1/8-mile Gamely Stakes (G1) on the same turf course on May 27. It was her third consecutive Grade 1 score in as many starts at the top level.

Anisette remained perfect in 2024 when she returned to the races Aug. 10 at Del Mar when she posted a 1 1/4-length victory as the 3-10 favorites in the Yellow Ribbon Handicap (G2) going 1 1/16 miles on a firm turf course. It was her third victory in as many starts over the Jimmy Durante Turf Course at Del Mar.

Next up for Anisette was the 1 1/8-mile John C. Mabee (G2) at Del Mar on Sept. 7. Getting a ground-saving trip from her inside post, Anisette hit the front at the top of the stretch but was unable to hang on and finished third, a half-length in back of Hang the Moon.

The dark bay filly came to California in December 2022 and became a star. Following three races on all-weather surfaces as a juvenile in her native Great Britain, she was privately purchased by Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners in December 2022 and sent stateside to trainer Leonard Powell. The now 4-year-old filly has been a smashing success, winning six of her first eight American starts, which include the 2023 Del Mar Oaks (G1) among her five graded stakes victories.

With the Breeders' Cup the main goal this year, Powell has mapped a light 4-year-old campaign for this now California girl, and he said he may have as few as three races on her schedule in between her Gamely Stakes win and the $2 million Maker's Mark Breeders' Cup Filly and Mare Turf (G1). Anisette has raced only at Santa Anita and Del Mar since coming to the United States and with the Breeders' Cup at Del Mar this year Powell plans to keep her home for that trio of races. After beginning her year with the Grade 1 win, Powell made known his aspirations to end it with another against the world's best turf fillies and mares.

Anisette is an anise-flavored liqueur that is favored in most Mediterranean countries.

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Beach Bomb (SAF)

This 4-year-old filly is The Bomb. Beach Bomb (SAF) anchors the quintet of Drakenstein Stud horses who arrived in New York in March with Breeders' Cup aspirations for South African champion owner/breeder Gaynor Rupert. The dual Grade 1 winner already has guaranteed her starting gate spot.

After announcing her presence as something special by graduating from the maiden ranks in her second try at Kenilworth in her native country on June 4 last year, the daughter of Lancaster Bomber out of the Dynasty (SAF) mare Beach Beauty (SAF) took on stakes company next time out on July 22 and visited the winner's circle again. After finishing second in the 7-furlong Prestige Plate at Durbanville in October, she capped her 3-year-old season with a thrilling victory by a neck in the 1-mile World Sports Betting Cape Fillies Guineas (G1) on her home Kenilworth course on Dec. 2.

This year, the Candace Bass Robinson-trained Beach Bomb picked up right where she left off. Not only did she win her second consecutive Grade 1 race in the Cartier Paddock Stakes on Jan. 6 at 1 1/8 miles, she overcame a slow pace and surged from last place under Juan Paul Van Der Merwe to overtake Princess Calla, the reigning South African Horse of the Year, by a neck at the wire.

In two successive starts at the Grade 1 level, both run at Kenilworth, Beach Bomb finished ninth in the City of Cape Town Majorica Stakes going a mile and second in the 1 1/4-mile the Splashout Cape Derby. The Paddock Stakes is a "Win and You're In" Breeders' Cup Challenge Series event so she is good to go at Del Mar on Nov. 2 in the Maker's Mark Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Turf (G1). Two horses have represented South Africa previously and now Beach Bomb has the chance to become the first from her country to win a Breeders' Cup race.

Beach Bomb made her U.S. debut on Aug. 31 in the 1 1/16-mile Violet Stakes at Monmouth and rallied to finish second beaten 1 ¾ lengths in the field of six on firm turf for trainer Graham Motion.

In her next start for Motion, she headed west to Santa Anita and the Rodeo Drive (G2) at 1 1/4 miles on Oct. 5. She finished third that day, 2 1/4 lengths behind the victorious Hang the Moon.

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Beautiful Love (IRE)

Beautiful Love (IRE) got a beautiful trip and showed off her big turn of foot when she rallied from far back and rolled down the lane in the 1 3/8-mile Jockey Club Oaks Invitational Stakes (G3) at Belmont at the Big A to win convincingly on Sept. 14 while carrying the renowned blue silks of her owner/breeder Godolphin.

The Charlie Appleby trainee was making her second American start and picked up her first graded stakes win after arriving in the U.S. following two starts at Meydan Racecourse in Dubai in February to kick off her 3-year-old season.

The daughter of Siyouni (FR) and the Dubawi (IRE) mare Powder Snow began her stateside campaign on Aug. 17 at Saratoga in the 1 1/16-mile Lake Placid Stakes (G2) but could fare no better than sixth. Her team was confident that when she next tried the Jockey Club Oaks she would improve from that effort and while stretching out to her ideal distance of 11 furlongs, she rewarded their faith. But when she came back on Oct. 4 at Belmont at the Big A in another 1 3/8-mile test over the course at the same level, she was compromised by a troubled trip in the Waya Stakes (G3) and ended up third.

As a juvenile, Beautiful Love ran four times in England, winning in her third outing in a novice weight for age on Sept. 23 and then she was given a break before being sent to Dubai for the winter.

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Cinderella's Dream (GB)

Cinderella's Dream (GB) is a fairy tale come true for owner/breeder Godolphin, trainer Charlie Appleby, and jockey William Buick. Undefeated in two outings in Britain as a juvenile last year, she launched her 3-year-old campaign Feb. 2 at Meydan in Dubai and picked up right where she had left off with a 2 ¾-length score in the Jumeirah Fillies Classic at 7 furlongs.

One month later she won her fourth race in as many starts in the 1-mile Jumeirah 1000 Guineas, though it was accomplished in dramatic fashion. Her saddle slipped so far forward that Buick was becoming unbalanced so his only recourse was to pull his boots out of the irons and then try to hold everything together to the wire. Despite it all she won by 5 ½ lengths.

That performance earned her the right to try a Grade 1 affair in Britian. On May 5 in the Qipco 1000 Guineas at Newmarket she tasted defeat for the first time when she finished seventh of 16, beaten 4 1/2 lengths. Not to be deterred, Appleby sent her across the pond, and in her American debut on July 6, Cinderella's Dream was the Belle of the Ball. She rallied from near the back of the pack under Buick in the 1 3/16-mile Fasig-Tipton Belmont Oaks Invitational to win by three-quarters of a length and become a Grade 1 winner. Next up in the Fasig-Tipton Saratoga Oaks Invitational (G2) at the same distance she unleashed her trademark powerful late kick for a 1 ½-length come-from-behind win.

By European champion Shamardal Cinderella's Dream is out of Espadrille (GB). Shamardal sired Tarnawa, who beat the boys in the 2020 Longines Breeders' Cup Turf (G1). when she was a 4-year-old. Appleby won the 2017 Maker's Mark Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Turf (G1) with Godolphin homebred Wuheida (GB) who was ridden by Buick.

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Content (IRE)

Content (IRE) certainly was bred to greatness and, with some age and experience on her side, started to realize the promise of her owners-breeders in the 2023 Breeders' Cup World Championships.

The filly was sired by the late, great Galileo (IRE). Her dam, Mecca's Angel (IRE), twice was winner of the Coolmore Nunthorpe Stakes (G1) at York in England. And her dam's sire, Dark Angel (IRE), although retired after an excellent 2-year-old season, has been a highly successful sire of sprinters.

Content herself started off slowly enough. After two unsuccessful starts in the spring of 2023, she got a two-month midsummer break and returned to win a fillies' maiden stakes at Leopardstown in Ireland in late August. A month later at the same track, she finished sixth in the Weld Park Stakes (G3), beating only one rival.

Undeterred, trainer Aidan O'Brien sent her back out in another Group 3 quest, the Staffordstown Stud Stakes (G3), where she rallied from the back to win by 2 1/2 lengths at 20-1 odds.

With Ryan Moore back in the irons, she next tackled the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf (G1) at Santa Anita and was closing strongly at the finish to report fourth, beaten just 1 1/4 lengths. From there, it was all Group 1 competition for Content. But again, she had to work her way up the ladder.

She started with an eighth-place showing, 2 1/4 lengths behind the winner, in the Emirates Poule d'Essai des Pouliches (G1) or French One Thousand Guineas. She was eighth, 6 1/4 lengths back, at the finish of the Coronation Stakes (G1) at Royal Ascot. Then, a turnaround.

Back in Ireland June 29, she was third, behind only Bluestocking (GB) and Emily Upjohn (GB), in the Pretty Polly Stakes (G1), then second to You Got To Me (GB) in the Juddmonte Irish Oaks (G1) July 20.

Her trip back to the top culminated in a victory Aug. 22 at York in the Pertemps Network Yorkshire Oaks (G1) with old rivals You Got To Me and Emily Upjohn second and third.

On Oct. 19 at Ascot, she finished 11th of 14 over soft ground in the 1 7/16-mile British Champions Fillies & Mares Stakes (G1).

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Didia (ARG)

Didia (ARG) is Resolute Racing owner John Stewart's dream girl. She caught his eye last fall and after pursuing her for months while trying to woo her away from Merriebelle Stable before her win the TAA Pegasus World Cup Filly & Mare Invitational (G2) Jan. 27, Stewart was finally able to buy a 50 percent interest in the mare in April. She represents everything Resolute desires for a world class breeding program.

Rightly so. Didia, imported to America in 2021 by Merribelle after her 3-year-old campaign that included two Group 1 and a Group 2 victory in her native land, is an intercontinental star. She won seven consecutive races in Argentina and the U.S. before her streak was snapped in the 2023 $600,000 New York Stakes (G1) at Belmont Park when she stepped up into top-level company and stretched out to 1 ¼ miles for the first time in the United States. The Ignacio Correas IV-trainee was beaten only three-quarters of a length in her runner-up finish. One year later she got revenge in the New York Stakes, run this time at Saratoga at 1 3/16 miles, when she beat a talented field of 13.

Nevertheless, this year has seen ups and downs for the 6-year-old mare, who finished 10th in the 2023 Maker's Mark Breeders' Cup Filly and Mare Turf (G1) in her worst career performance. After scoring in the Pegasus, Didia finished third in the 1 1/16-mile Jenny Wiley (G1) at Keeneland on April 13. Following the New York in June, she was sent off as the favorite in the field of 10 for the 1 ¼ miles Diana (G1) at Saratoga July 13 but finished fourth.

Didia was sent to Del Mar for the 1 1/8-mile John C. Mabee (G2) on Sept. 7 in which she finished fourth as the favorite, beaten 2 lengths by Hang the Moon.

Didia is a daughter of Orpen, who is a son of Hall of Famer and two-time Breeders' Cup Mile (G1) winner (1992-93) Lure and out of the Rainbow Corner (GB) mare Delambre (BRZ).

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Emily Upjohn (GB)

The beautifully bred Emily Upjohn (GB), named after a famed Hollywood movie character, was destined for stardom. By 2009 European Horse of the Year Sea The Stars and out of Hidden Brief (GB) by 1994 Breeders' Cup Mile winner and European Horse of the Year Barathea (IRE), the multiple G1 winner has lived up to expectations.

The now 5-year-old mare won her only start in 2021 and finished her 2022 five-race campaign displaying the same brilliance and powerful turn of foot with which she began her career. On Oct. 15 that year Emily Upjohn notched her first Group 1 score at Ascot in the British Champions Fillies and Mares Stakes at 1 ½ miles, which the father-son training tandem of John and Thady Gosden consider her ideal trip.

In 2023 her seasonal bow was delayed until June 2, but she showed no rust when beating males in the 1 ½-mile Coronation Cup (G1) at Ascot. Next out on July 8 when again taking on the boys in the Coral-Eclipse (G1) at Sandown at 1 1/4 miles, she just missed by a half-length. After weakening in the final 2 furlongs and fading to seventh in the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes (G1) at Ascot July 29 her three-race season was over.

Emily Upjohn began her 2024 campaign March 30 when she finished fifth behind Rebel's Romance (IRE), the 2022 winner of the Longines Breeders' Cup Turf, in the Longines Dubai Sheema Classic (G1). After a subsequent fourth-place finish in the Coronation Cup (G1) at Epsom on May 31 she contested the June 29 Pretty Polly Stakes (G1) at The Curragh and it was the first time she competed against horses her own gender since her 2022 Fillies and Mares Stakes (G1) score. But poised to win, she idled inside the final furlong, only to lose by a half-length. Two disappointing losses followed in the Aug. 1 Nassau Stakes (G1) at Goodwood (sixth) and the Yorkshire Oaks (G1) at York Aug. 22 (third).

Emily Upjohn made her next start on Sept. 15 in the Qatar Prix Vermeille (G1j going 1 1/2 miles at Longchamps over soft ground and finished third of 12, beaten 1 1/4 lengths by the victorious Bluestocking (GB).

The mare is named for a character in the 1937 Marx Brothers film "A Day at the Races" and is owned by composer and musical theatre impresario Andrew Lloyd Weber, Jonathan Shack's Tactful Finance and Stuart Roden.

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Full Count Felicia

It was billed as the battle royale between the two most recent Canadian Horses of the Year Fev Rover and Moira but once the gate opened Full Count Felicia upstaged them both in the E.P. Taylor Stakes (G1) at Woodbine on Sept. 14. Confidently ridden by Kazushi Kimura, Full Count Felicia went right to the front, set slow fractions while opening a lead of almost 20 lengths at one stage in the 1 ¼-mile contest, and then fended off all challengers to cross the wire 3 ½ lengths in front. The win was the first at the top level for the 5-year-old mare trained by Kevin Attard for Al Gold's nom de course Gold Square.

With the win, the daughter of War Front and the Galileo (IRE) mare Claire De Lune (IRE) parlayed her victory in her previous effort in the Canadian Stakes (G2) on Aug. 10 on the same course, prompting her trainer to remark that Full Count Felicia keeps improving and continues to get better with each successive start.

Nonetheless, Attard said the filly's victory in the E.P. Taylor, as impressive as it was, may not earn her a start in the Maker's Mark Filly and Mare Turf (G1) because Moira is also in his stable and she is headed to the Breeders' Cup by virtue of her August score in Colonial Downs' Beverly D. Stakes (G2), which is a "Win and You're In" race as part of the Challenge Series.

Full Count Felicia took eight tries in her juvenile and sophomore seasons to break her maiden when in the barns of two previous trainers. She became a first-time graded stakes winner on Dec. 23, 2023 by taking the Suwannee River Stakes (G3) at Gulfstream Park, but then after starting her 2024 campaign with a sixth-place finish in the Endeavor Stakes (G3) at Tampa Bay Downs on Feb. 3 she was transferred to Attard.

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Hang the Moon

The popular expression Hang the Moon is used to describe someone considered to be exceptionally wonderful or even perfect in every way. After her dazzling upset in the John C. Mabee Stakes (G2) at 1 1/8 miles at Del Mar on Sept. 7 Hang the Moon's connections would certainly say their 4-year-old filly is aptly named. In her second foray into graded stakes company, and with the assist of a brilliant ride by Kazushi Kimura, the 20-1 longshot closed with a powerful rally from next to last in deep stretch to kick clear by 1 ½ lengths at the wire. In the process she defeated multiple G1 winners Anisette (GB) and Didia (ARG).

The daughter of Uncle Mo and the Malibu Moon mare Moondance made her fourth start for trainer Phil D'Amato in the Rodeo Drive (G2) at Santa Anita on Oct. 5. She won the 1 ¼-mile test by 1 1/2 lengths. She relocated to D'Amato's stable by owner CJ Thoroughbreds following a fourth-place finish in the 2023 Pucker Up Stakes (G3) at Ellis Park.

She returned from a long layoff to begin her 2024 campaign on June 9 in a 1-mile allowance race at Santa Anita and raced right into the winner's circle for D'Amato. Next she was a solid second in the 1-mile Osunitas Stakes (Listed) when the action shifted to Del Mar, and that forward progression gave her current trainer and owner the optimism to move her up in class against graded stakes winners in the Mabee.

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Moira

She still has the heart of a lion. In a fierce stretch battle between 2022 Canadian Horse of the Year Moira and 2023 Canadian Horse of the Year Fev Rover (IRE) in the 1 3/16-mile Beverly D. Stakes (G2) at Colonial Downs on Aug. 11, Moira put it all on the line to defeat the defending champion by a head and earn her spot in the Maker's Mark Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Turf (G1) through the "Win and You're In" Breeders' Cup Challenge Series.

The Woodbine-based 5-year-old daughter of Ghostzapper and the Unbridled's Song mare Devine Aida will make her third straight appearance in the Filly & Mare Turf after a superb third-place finish last year and running fifth in 2022.

Moira returned to Woodbine after the Beverly D. for the E.P. Taylor (G1) going 1 1/4 miles on Sept. 14. However, it was her stablemate Full Count Felicia who stole the show by posting a front-running 3 ½-length victory with Moira rallying for second.

Following the 2023 Breeders' Cup she commanded $3 million as a racing or broodmare prospect at the Fasig-Tipton November auction, though buyer DM Racing Ventures has her continuing to race with original owners Lanni Bloodstock, Madaket Stables and SF Racing and trainer Kevin Attard. The investment has proved wise. In the first start of her 2024 campaign Moira staged a strong rally to be second in the Diana (G1) at 1 1/8 miles on July 13 at Saratoga.

Moira, who was a $150,000 yearling purchase, showed her class from the start. In her first effort as a 2-year-old, she captured the Princess Elizabeth Stakes and took second in the Mazarine Stakes (G3). In her sophomore season she was spectacular, going three-for-three on her home track in the Stella Artois Fury Stakes, the Woodbine Oaks and then the Queen's Plate in which she beat the boys.

In her first three starts of 2023 she was the runner-up in the Belle Mahone Stakes (G3), the Nassau Stakes (G2) and the Dance Smartly Stakes (G2), all at Woodbine. There was a dazzling return to her best form in the 1 1/8-mile Canadian Stakes (G2), which she won by 6 1/4 lengths to put her back on the path to the Breeders' Cup.

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Soprano (IRE)

British invader Soprano (IRE) finished 6 lengths behind She Feels Pretty in the Queen Elizabeth II Challenge Cup (G1) at Keeneland on Oct. 12, but the winner was so dominant that day that the 3-year-old filly gave her connections every reason to cross the pond again and compete in the Maker's Mark Filly & Mare Turf (G1).

Billy Loughnane, her 18-year-old jockey who was Britain's champion apprentice last year and rode in America for the first time, said she hit her top gear in the lane and learned a lot in the race. Trainer George Boughey and Harry Herbert, the racing manager for owner Highclere Thoroughbred Racing, were so impressed that they want to give her another chance even though she'll be trying the 1 3/8-mile distance for the first time.

Soprano, a daughter of Starspangledbanner (AUS) out of Lealas Daughter (IRE) by Excelebration (IRE), competed in six races as a 2-year-old, winning only once in her first effort. She has run seven times this season as a sophomore, and her first Group win came on Aug. 15 in the 1-mile Prix de Lieurey F.E.E. (G3) at Deauville. Under Loughnane she took the Sandringham Stakes at Ascot on June 21. Her third-place finish in the Justify Matron Stakes (G1) at 1 mile at Leopardstown on Sept. 14 gave her owner and trainer the confidence to send her to America for the 1 1/8-mile race at Keeneland in her most recent outing.

Loughnane will be riding in his first Breeders' Cup and hoping for his first victory in a G1 affair. Boughey teamed with co-owner Highclere on Cachet (IRE), who finished fourth in the 2021 Juvenile Fillies Turf (G1).

Herbert is the godson of the late Queen Elizabeth II and his father, the late Lord Porchester, the 7th Earl of Carnarvon, was the monarch's racing manager and one of her lifelong closest friends. The family estate is Highclere Castle, which is the location for the TV series and film Downton Abbey.

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War Like Goddess

Even at the advanced age of 7, War Like Goddess remains a force in the filly and mare turf division and she is the model of consistency as she points to her fourth consecutive Breeders' Cup appearance for owner George Krikorian and Hall of Fame trainer Bill Mott. Utilizing her trademark devastating closing kick and relishing longer distance races, she's finished in the top three in 18 of her 21 career starts and a trio of her 12 wins have come at the Grade 1 level.

This season, she was slated to return to action in April after a freshening following her seventh-place finish in the 2023 Longines Breeders' Cup Turf (G1) when competing against males. But a minor cut necessitated a scratch from the 1 ½-mileBewitch Stakes (G3) at Keeneland and ended any chance of winning that event for an unprecedented fourth consecutive time.

Her 2024 seasonal bow was delayed until the New York Stakes presented by Rivers Casino (G1) on June 7 during the Belmont Stakes Festival at Saratoga when she overcame a troubled trip in the 1 3/16-mile test to rally from 12th in the 13-horse field and finish a strong third. On July 7 War Like Goddess found herself in the familiar surroundings of the winner's circle after powering from off the pace under Junior Alvarado to take the 1 3/8-mile Robert G. Dick Memorial Stakes (G3) by 1 length at Delaware Park.

Back at Saratoga for the Aug. 31 Flower Bowl (G2), War Like Goddess put in her regular late run but settled for second beaten 1 1/2 lengths by wire-to-wire winner Idea Generation (IRE). Her bid for a third consecutive victory against males in the Joe Hirsch Turf Classic (G1) was her next start. Over a course rated as good at Aqueduct on Sept. 28, she was outdueled by a half-length by Far Bridge in a runner-up effort.

In 2023 she won the 1 ½-mile Joe Hirsch Turf Classic and her dominating come-from-behind 4 ½-length victory set her up for the Breeders' Cup Turf. As a 4-year-old in 2021 she finished third in the Maker's Mark Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Turf (G1) and followed that performance with a third in the 2022 Turf.

Despite being a daughter of 2007 Breeders' Cup Turf winner and champion English Channel out of the Northern Light (IRE) mare Misty North, she sold for $1,200 as a weanling. Under the patient tutelage of Mott, in 21 starts she had earned $2,875,184.

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Wingspan (IRE)

** coming soon **

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Ylang Ylang (GB)

She's classy, she's brave, she's so exciting. That's the assessment of the 3-year-old British-bred Ylang Ylang [pronounced EE-lang EE-lang] from her world-renowned trainer Aidan O'Brien. From the start she was loaded with so much potential that owners Mrs. John Magnier, Michael Tabor, Derrick Smith, Peter Brant and Westerberg purchased the daughter of Frankel (GB) out of the Shamardal mare Shambolic (IRE) auction as a yearling for $1,803,902 (US). Right away she rewarded their faith.

She had her coming out party on June 30 last year and raced right into the winner's circle at The Curragh in a 7-furlong maiden race. She became a graded stakes winner next time out in the 7-furlong Silver Flash Stakes (G3) at Leopardstown on July 27, and next was stepped up into the 7-furlong Moyglare Stud Stakes (G1) at the Curragh on Sept. 10. Despite being dispatched as the favorite in the field of nine, she finished last, beaten 13 1/2 lengths.

Another disappointment came in her subsequent effort on Sept. 29 at Newmarket when she ran third in the 7-furlong Rockfel Stakes (G2). Two weeks later O'Brien stretched her out in the Bet 365 Fillies Mile (G1) on the same course and she showed her true colors under regular rider Ryan Moore with a half-length win to conclude her juvenile campaign.

Ylang Ylang came back from a break on May 5 at Newmarket in the 1-mile Qipco 1000 Guineas (G1) and although she ran fifth, she was beaten less than a length in a blanket finish. In the Epsom Oaks (G1) at 1 1/2 miles on May 31 she placed sixth. Turned back to 1 mile and given some class relief in the Bahrain Turf Club Desmond Stakes (G3) at Leopardstown on Aug. 8, she was seventh although she raced against males and older horses.

Returning to Leopardstown on Sept. 14 for the Coolmore America Justify Matron Stakes (G1) at a mile, Ylang Ylang finished fourth of nine, winding up 1 1/2 lengths behind the victorious Porta Fortuna (IRE).

In her most recent start, which came over very soft ground at Longchamp on Oct. 6 in the 1 1/4-mile Prix de l'Opera, Ylang Ylang finished last of 11, beaten 13 1/4 lengths by the victorious Friendly Soul (GB).

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2024 BREEDERS' CUP RACE SCHEDULE

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What is the Breeders Cup' Filly & Mare Turf?

The Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Turf (Grade 1) is a relative newcomer as it is the only existing series in the Breeders' Cup World Thoroughbred Championships races that was not a part of the original seven Breeders' Cup races group begun in 1984.

In July 1998, the Breeders' Cup board of directors voted on the decision to fill an obvious gap in the Breeders' Cup World Thoroughbred Championships lineup by creating this $1 million series for fillies and mares. The first Filly & Mare Turf was held in 1999 at Gulfstream Park.

Until that time, the female turf division had no definitive championship race, and distaffers were forced to race in open company. The audacious misses had to settle for competing against their male counterparts in the Breeders' Cup Mile (G1) and the Breeders' Cup Turf (G1). Back then, the ladies already more than held their own at the Breeders' Cup races, beginning with Royal Heroine (Ireland). She was the only filly in the field when she triumphed in the very first running of the Mile in 1984, and in the process, set a new course record at Hollywood Park in Inglewood, California.

Following Royal Heroine's footsteps, Miesque snagged back-to-back wins at the Mile in 1987 and 1988, while Ridgewood Pearl (Great Britain) captured the 1995 running, moving the Mile championship for the misses up to four of the first 12 runnings. The females performed just as well in the Breeders' Cup Turf, notably, with Pebbles (Great Britain) who took the 1985 running and Miss Alleged who triumphed in 1991.

The Filly & Mare Turf was first run in 1999 at 1 3/8 miles, owing mainly to Gulfstream Park's grass course configuration, and was again contested like so in the following year. Come 2001, the distance was then shifted to 10 furlongs.

Ever since the initial running in 1999, the newer series has fulfilled its intended purpose. Phillips Racing Partnership's Soaring Softly snagged an Eclipse Award as champion turf female with a three-quarter-length victory on that first year.

In 2000 at Churchill Downs, Stronach Stable's Perfect Sting won by the same margin, 3/4 length, over Tout Charmant. Perfect Sting was subsequently voted champion turf female.

The Filly & Mare Turf (Grade 1) was first run in 1999 at 1 3/8 miles, but the distance was then shifted to 10 furlongs.

European interests in the Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Turf eventually broke through in 2001 at Belmont Park, when Juddmonte Farms' French-based Banks Hill (Great Britain) won by 5 1/2 lengths. That year, the Filly & Mare Turf was run at 1 1/4 miles for the first time, which is its prescribed distance when course configurations permit.

In 2003, the Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Turf may have finally put the overseas runners at the fore of the Breeders' Cup map as European-trained horses swept the first three positions and European-bred horses bagged the top five. 3-1 favorite Islington stalked the pace in sixth early under Kieren Fallon, then at the top of the stretch came on strong and duelled with 47-1 shot L'Ancresse down the stretch to win by a neck in a time of 1:59. It was 2 ½ lengths back to 14-1 shot Yesterday while England-bred Heat Haze finished fourth.

2004 continued the European streak when race favorite Ouija Board of Great Britain won the championship at 0.90 odds with jockey Kieren Fallon. The runnerup was Film Maker at 16.50 odds with jockey John Velasquez while third place went to Wonder Again at 10.70 odds with jockey Edgar Prado.