Rachel Alexandra
Encyclopedia
Rachel Alexandra is a retired American
Thoroughbred
filly
racehorse
and the 2009 Horse of the Year. She is renowned as the May 16, 2009 Preakness Stakes
winner, the second jewel of the Triple Crown
, the first filly to win the race in 85 years history (since Nellie Morse
, 1924). She was the impressive winner of races in six states (KY, LA, AR, MD, NY, NJ), on eight different tracks, against fillies and Grade 1 colts and older horses, achieving a long string of consecutive wins including numerous Grade 1 stakes. Often considered alongside Ruffian
as the greatest 3-year old filly in thoroughbred racing history. Rachel Alexandra neared or broke multiple stakes records, track records and winning margin records throughout her career. On September 28, 2010, owner Jess Jackson announced Rachel Alexandra would be retired. She was bred to 2007/2008 Horse of the Year, Curlin and is in foal
with a colt
anticipated for 2012.
Rachel Alexandra is a bay filly with a distinctive upside-down exclamation-point-shaped white blaze. She stands an estimated 16 hands at the withers
. Her preferred style of running is generally that of a front runner (showing tremendous speed and running on the lead) or a stalker (running close to and just behind the lead), though she was occasionally asked to compete off of the pace (Mother Goose Stakes
).
Rachel Alexandra was bred and originally owned by Dolphus Morrison who named her after his granddaughter. Before she became successful as a racehorse, Dolphus Morrison sold part interest in her to Michael Lauffer. Her initial trainer was Hal Wiggins, Morrison's regular trainer, who trained her up until the Kentucky Oaks
2009. After her Kentucky Oaks
victory, Rachel Alexandra was sold for an undisclosed amount (rumored to be in excess of $10 million) to Stonestreet Stables & Harold T. McCormick, with billionaire Jess Jackson of Kendall Jackson Winery holding controlling interest. Her trainer was Steve Asmussen
, and her regular jockey was Calvin Borel
.
(foaled 1999, Kentucky) was a successful multiple Grade 1 Stakes
winner and earned $5,754,720 in his racing career spanning to five years old. His notable performances included wins in the 2002 Travers Stakes
, 2003 Whitney Handicap
, and 2004 Donn Handicap
, as well as second place finishes in the 2002 Belmont Stakes
, Breeders' Cup Classic
(twice, in 2002 and 2003), and 2004 Dubai World Cup
. On the track, Medaglia d'Oro
was a frontrunner known for his consistency and tenacity. Medaglia d'Oro was retired from racing in 2004 and entered to stud. Rachel Alexandra is a member of Medaglia d'Oro's extremely successful first crop to race, which also includes major stakes winners Gabby's Golden Gal (Acorn Stakes
) and Payton d'Oro
(Black-Eyed Susan Stakes
). In 2009, Medaglia d'Oro was the leading second-crop sire in North America, with over $7.7 million in 2009 progeny earnings.
. Soon after that race, she was injured in a training accident and retired. Rachel Alexandra is Lotta Kim's first and only surviving foal; Lotta Kim's 2007 colt by Empire Maker
succumbed to a rare neurological disorder known as Wobbler disease
, while her 2008 foal was born prematurely and died. Morrison did not breed Lotta Kim in 2009, but plans to return her to Medaglia d’Oro next year, having declined numerous offers to sell the mare in the wake of Rachel Alexandra's success., and then to Darley Stud
in June 2009.
Rachel Alexandra had a different personality than her dam. "Lotta Kim had a terrible disposition," Wiggins recalled. "She wasn't really mean, but plumb ornery. She made it a project every time you wanted to do something with her. Completely the opposite from Rachel Alexandra. I don't know what you could do to get Rachel Alexandra excited, except go into the starting gate."
Through Lotta Kim, Rachel Alexandra is a fourth-generation descendant of superstud Mr. Prospector
. Another superstud, Northern Dancer
, is in both sides of her pedigree.
According to Morrison, Rachel Alexandra looked "a little raw-boned and a little scruffy" as a foal. Morrison rarely sells the first couple of foals out of his mares, but he almost made an exception with Rachel Alexandra, entering her in the 2006 Keeneland November Sale
as a weanling
. When X-rays revealed a "minor development problem" - he scratched her, convinced she wouldn't bring the $125,000 he thought she was worth.
In August 2007 Morrison sent Rachel Alexandra to Diamond D Ranch in Lone Oak, Texas, where Jimmy (Scooter) Dodwell broke her in. In November of that year Morrison called Dodwell and asked if Rachel was ready to be entered in a Florida sale. Dodwell wasn't so sure. Rachel Alexandra was one of the best young horses he had seen. "She had a ton of speed, with a long stride, and [I thought] she might be able to run forever," recalls Dodwell. "I stuck my neck out and told Mr. Morrison, 'You might want to hang onto this one.'"
to work Rachel and considered a change. Borel first rode Rachel Alexandra in the 11/29/2008 Golden Rod Stakes
(Grade II) to a 4 ¾ length victory, setting a stakes record for time. Since that race, Rachel Alexandra began a 9-race winning streak with Calvin Borel
on the mount, a streak that included several stakes records for time and winning margin. One of the secrets to success, according to Calvin, is that he just lets Rachel Alexandra do her thing. Borel said he's learned not to hold back Rachel Alexandra, even if she wants to run the first quarter-mile in a fast 22 seconds or the half-mile in 44. "I don't fight her ever since I've been on her," he said. "The first day I learned that."
and Fair Grounds Oaks
, Rachel Alexandra stepped into the Oaklawn Park
starting gate as the 1-10 favorite in the Fantasy Stakes
and did not disappoint, leading wire-to-wire in the 1 mile race and winning by 8 lengths finishing with a final time of 1:43.35. A minus win pool of $3,382 and minus place pool of $227,722 resulted, with no show wagering offered for the 5 horse field.
Shortly after victory in the Kentucky Oaks - a 20-length win, by far the largest in the race's history - it was announced that Rachel Alexandra was sold to Jess Jackson's Stonestreet Stables and Harold T. McCormick. ESPN
reported that she would be transferred to trainer Steve Asmussen
. Before this, she was not expected to run against colts
, but with her change of ownership came a change of plans. Jess Jackson, owner of Curlin, paid the US$100,000 supplemental fee which allowed her to race in the Preakness Stakes
.
. Rachel Alexandra was the first filly to win the Preakness Stakes in 85 years, since 1924. Kentucky Derby winner Mine That Bird
made a late charge, and placed 2nd. Rachel Alexandra also was the first horse to win from the 13th post position and is the first Kentucky Oaks winner also win the Preakness.
at Belmont Park
, with Calvin Borel
as jockey. She was sent off the 1-20 favorite and won the race by 19 lengths, breaking the stakes record with a time of 1:46:33 as well as the record margin of victory of 13 lengths set by great Ruffian
in 1975. Despite being eased in the stretch her time was less than a second slower than Secretariat's 1973 track record of 1:45 in the inaugural Marlboro Cup Sept. 15, 1973. A minus win pool of $18,698 resulted, with no place or show wagering offered.
rating of 116. This is the highest Beyer Speed Figure
of any horse in North America in 2009. Despite heavy rains the track enjoyed a large attendance with 37,090 people at Monmouth. In the 42 runnings of the Haskell fillies have won just twice: Serena's Song
in 1995 and Rachel Alexandra.
against older male horses at Saratoga Race Course
. By the time Rachel ran this race, she had run a grueling total of eleven races within the past 12 months. Following a blistering 22.85 opening quarter, she managed to hold off a run from the late-closing Macho Again
and winning the Woodward Stakes
in a time of 1:48.29. Only five other fillies have ever attempted to run in this race, and only two others came in the money: Summer Guest finished third in 1972, and Lady's Secret
finished 2nd in 1986. Rachel Alexandra was the only filly or mare ever to win the Woodward Stakes
. She also was the first 3-year-old filly to win a grade I route dirt race against older males in New York since since Lady Primrose won the Manhattan in 1887. This increased Rachel Alexandra's 2009 winning streak to 9 consecutive victories.
at Fair Grounds Race Course
. Sent off 1-20 favorite for the second time of her career, Rachel Alexandra finished second by three-quarters of a length to the six year old mare Zardana, who achieved a career best speed figure of 101 in the race. Rachel toted top weight of 123 pounds, with Zardana at 121 pounds, and the rest of the field at 117 pounds. It was 11 lengths back to third-place finisher Unforgotten, a 6-year-old daughter of Northern Afleet. In her place finish, Rachel was assigned a Beyer Speed Figure of 100. Following the second-place finish, owner Jess Jackson deemed Rachel "unfit" to compete in the Apple Blossom, in which it was planned that she would face 2008 and 2009 Champion older mare and 2010 Horse of the Year Zenyatta
.
in the Grade II La Troienne Stakes
at Churchill Downs
. Rachel was carrying the top weight of 124 lbs and was giving 4 lbs or more to the rest of the field. Although she finished second, Rachel Alexandra's finishing time was a slightly over a second away from the Churchill Downs track record for that distance, putting both Rachel and Unrivaled Belle's Beyer Speed Figure at 103. This was the career best speed figure for Unrivaled Belle.
in its 36th running at Churchill Downs. Carrying the top weight of 124 lbs, giving 7 to 11 lbs to the rest of the field, Rachel without any significant urging by Calvin she put away her rivals at the head of the stretch to win by 10 ½ lengths. Her finishing time of 1:48.78 was a fraction faster than her Kentucky Oaks victory last year and shy by a second and a half from the track record. She was assigned a Beyer Speed Figure of 109, the highest for any filly or mare thus far that year.
, a potential prep for the Breeders Cup Classic.
In that race, Rachel Alexandra and champion mare Life at Ten hooked up in a moderate pace. Rachel was able to outlast Life at Ten but could not hold off the on coming charge of Persistently who ran by her 1/16th of a mile before the finish.
“The privilege of owning these horses is like lightning striking twice,” Banke said in a statement. “Rachel Alexandra and Curlin are true champions; both horses embody that intangible equine ideal that separate mere horse from legend. Both Jess and I are so pleased that these powerful bloodlines will pass to future generations.”
During the airing of the Kentucky Derby on May 7, it was announced that she is carrying a colt by Curlin, and is due in February.
for Champion Three-Year-Old Filly. Rachel Alexandra received unanimous voting with all 232 ballots cast for her in the Champion Three-Year-Old Filly.
's 99 votes. Following a widely publicized vote, all three voting blocs ultimately went for Rachel Alexandra: The National Turf Writers Association by 71 votes to 51, the Daily Racing Form
by a 31-23 margin, and the National Thoroughbred Racing Association (which includes racing secretaries and members of Equibase) by 28-25. Rachel Alexandra was the only 3 year old filly ever to receive the Eclipse
Horse of the Year Award since the Eclipse Awards began in 1971. (Azeri 2002, Lady's Secret
1986, and All Along
1983 - all were 4 years old when they won Eclipse
Horse of the Year). (Prior to the advent of the Eclipse Awards, there were comparable awards known as the Horse of the Year in which there were three other 3 year old filly winners (Busher
, Twilight Tear
, Regret
, Beldame
), and one 2 year old filly (Moccasin
).
, renamed the Silverbulletday Stakes
to the Rachel Alexandra Stakes
to honor the 2009 American Horse of the Year.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
Thoroughbred
Thoroughbred
The Thoroughbred is a horse breed best known for its use in horse racing. Although the word thoroughbred is sometimes used to refer to any breed of purebred horse, it technically refers only to the Thoroughbred breed...
filly
Filly
A filly is a young female horse too young to be called a mare. There are several specific definitions in use.*In most cases filly is a female horse under the age of four years old....
racehorse
Horse racing
Horse racing is an equestrian sport that has a long history. Archaeological records indicate that horse racing occurred in ancient Babylon, Syria, and Egypt. Both chariot and mounted horse racing were events in the ancient Greek Olympics by 648 BC...
and the 2009 Horse of the Year. She is renowned as the May 16, 2009 Preakness Stakes
2009 Preakness Stakes
The 2009 Preakness Stakes was the 134th running of the Preakness Stakes, the second leg of horse racing's Triple Crown. The value of the race was $1,100,000 in stakes. The race was sponsored by BlackBerry and hence officially was called Blackberry Preakness Stakes. The race took place on May 16,...
winner, the second jewel of the Triple Crown
United States Triple Crown of Thoroughbred Racing
In the United States, the "Triple Crown" is usually the Triple Crown of Thoroughbred Racing, a series of three Thoroughbred horse races for three-year-old horses run in May and early June of each year consisting of the Kentucky Derby, Preakness Stakes, and Belmont Stakes.While Daily Racing Form...
, the first filly to win the race in 85 years history (since Nellie Morse
Nellie Morse
Nellie Morse was an American Thoroughbred racehorse best known as the fourth filly to win the Preakness Stakes. Her sire was Luke McLuke, who won the 1914 Belmont Stakes and who was a son of the important but unraced Ultimus who had been sired by Commando...
, 1924). She was the impressive winner of races in six states (KY, LA, AR, MD, NY, NJ), on eight different tracks, against fillies and Grade 1 colts and older horses, achieving a long string of consecutive wins including numerous Grade 1 stakes. Often considered alongside Ruffian
Ruffian (horse)
Ruffian was an American champion thoroughbred racehorse. Ruffian is considered by many to be the greatest female racehorse in history. Ruffian is among the greatest U.S. racehorses of all time. Her story was told in 2007 film Ruffian.- Career :An almost coal black filly of 16 and a half hands,...
as the greatest 3-year old filly in thoroughbred racing history. Rachel Alexandra neared or broke multiple stakes records, track records and winning margin records throughout her career. On September 28, 2010, owner Jess Jackson announced Rachel Alexandra would be retired. She was bred to 2007/2008 Horse of the Year, Curlin and is in foal
Foal
A foal is an equine, particularly a horse, that is one year old or younger. More specific terms are colt for a male foal and filly for a female foal, but these terms are used until the horse is age three or four. When the foal is nursing from its dam , it may also be called a suckling...
with a colt
Colt (horse)
A colt is a young male horse, under the age of four. The term "colt" is often confused with foal, which refers to a horse of either sex under one year of age....
anticipated for 2012.
Rachel Alexandra is a bay filly with a distinctive upside-down exclamation-point-shaped white blaze. She stands an estimated 16 hands at the withers
Withers
The withers is the ridge between the shoulder blades of a four-legged animal. In many species it is the tallest point of the body, and in horses and dogs it is the standard place to measure the animal's height .-Horses:The withers in horses are formed by the dorsal spinal processes of roughly the...
. Her preferred style of running is generally that of a front runner (showing tremendous speed and running on the lead) or a stalker (running close to and just behind the lead), though she was occasionally asked to compete off of the pace (Mother Goose Stakes
Mother Goose Stakes
The Mother Goose Stakes is an American thoroughbred horse race for three-year-old fillies held at Belmont Park in Elmont, New York. Raced on dirt, the Grade I race offers a purse of $250,000. Inaugurated in 1957 at a mile and a sixteenth, it was lengthened to a mile and an eighth in 1959...
).
Rachel Alexandra was bred and originally owned by Dolphus Morrison who named her after his granddaughter. Before she became successful as a racehorse, Dolphus Morrison sold part interest in her to Michael Lauffer. Her initial trainer was Hal Wiggins, Morrison's regular trainer, who trained her up until the Kentucky Oaks
Kentucky Oaks
The Kentucky Oaks is a Grade I stakes race for three-year-old Thoroughbred fillies staged annually in Louisville, Kentucky, United States. The race currently covers 1⅛ miles at Churchill Downs; the horses carry 121 pounds . The Kentucky Oaks is held on the Friday before the Kentucky Derby each year...
2009. After her Kentucky Oaks
Kentucky Oaks
The Kentucky Oaks is a Grade I stakes race for three-year-old Thoroughbred fillies staged annually in Louisville, Kentucky, United States. The race currently covers 1⅛ miles at Churchill Downs; the horses carry 121 pounds . The Kentucky Oaks is held on the Friday before the Kentucky Derby each year...
victory, Rachel Alexandra was sold for an undisclosed amount (rumored to be in excess of $10 million) to Stonestreet Stables & Harold T. McCormick, with billionaire Jess Jackson of Kendall Jackson Winery holding controlling interest. Her trainer was Steve Asmussen
Steve Asmussen
Steven Mark Asmussen is an American Thoroughbred racehorse trainer. Born into a horse racing family, his parents, Keith and Marilyn "Sis" Asmussen, are both trainers who operate El Primero Training Center off the Mines Road in Laredo, the seat of Webb County in south Texas...
, and her regular jockey was Calvin Borel
Calvin Borel
Calvin H. Borel is an American jockey in thoroughbred horse racing and rode the victorious mount in the 2007 Kentucky Derby, the 2009 Kentucky Derby and the 2010 Kentucky Derby...
.
Sire
Medaglia d'OroMedaglia d'Oro
Medaglia d'Oro is an American Thoroughbred racehorse. Bred by Albert & Joyce Bell, a translation of his Italian name means "Gold Medal." He was sired by Ireland's 1991 Champion 2-Year-Old, El Prado, who was a son of the fourteen-time Leading sire in Great Britain & Ireland, Sadler's Wells who in...
(foaled 1999, Kentucky) was a successful multiple Grade 1 Stakes
Graded stakes race
A graded stakes race is a term applied since 1973 by the American Graded Stakes Committee of the Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association to thoroughbred horse races in the United States and Canada to describe races that derive their name from the stake, or entry fee, owners must pay...
winner and earned $5,754,720 in his racing career spanning to five years old. His notable performances included wins in the 2002 Travers Stakes
Travers Stakes
The Travers Stakes is an American Grade I Thoroughbred horse race held at Saratoga Race Course in Saratoga Springs, New York.First held in 1864, it was named for William R. Travers, the president of the old Saratoga Racing Association. His horse, Kentucky, won the first running of the Travers...
, 2003 Whitney Handicap
Whitney Handicap
The Whitney Handicap is an American Grade 1 handicap race for Thoroughbred racehorses three years of age and older run at a distance of 1⅛ miles. In 2007, the Breeders' Cup Ltd...
, and 2004 Donn Handicap
Donn Handicap
The Donn Handicap is an American Thoroughbred horse race run annually in late January/early February at Gulfstream Park in Hallandale Beach, Florida.The race is named after the Donn family, who for many years owned and operated the racetrack....
, as well as second place finishes in the 2002 Belmont Stakes
Belmont Stakes
The Belmont Stakes is an American Grade I stakes Thoroughbred horse race held every June at Belmont Park in Elmont, New York. It is a 1.5-mile horse race, open to three year old Thoroughbreds. Colts and geldings carry a weight of 126 pounds ; fillies carry 121 pounds...
, Breeders' Cup Classic
Breeders' Cup Classic
The Breeders' Cup Classic is a Grade I Weight for Age thoroughbred horse race for 3 year olds and older run at a distance of 1¼ miles on dirt. It is held annually at a different racetrack as part of the Breeders' Cup World Championships...
(twice, in 2002 and 2003), and 2004 Dubai World Cup
Dubai World Cup
The Dubai World Cup is a Thoroughbred horse race held annually since 1996 and from 2010 at the Meydan Racecourse in the city of Dubai, United Arab Emirates...
. On the track, Medaglia d'Oro
Medaglia d'Oro
Medaglia d'Oro is an American Thoroughbred racehorse. Bred by Albert & Joyce Bell, a translation of his Italian name means "Gold Medal." He was sired by Ireland's 1991 Champion 2-Year-Old, El Prado, who was a son of the fourteen-time Leading sire in Great Britain & Ireland, Sadler's Wells who in...
was a frontrunner known for his consistency and tenacity. Medaglia d'Oro was retired from racing in 2004 and entered to stud. Rachel Alexandra is a member of Medaglia d'Oro's extremely successful first crop to race, which also includes major stakes winners Gabby's Golden Gal (Acorn Stakes
Acorn Stakes
The Acorn Stakes is an American Grade I race at Belmont Park in Elmont, New York for three-year-old Thoroughbred fillies. It is raced on dirt over a distance of one mile with a current purse of $250,000. It is the first leg of the US Triple Tiara and is followed by the Coaching Club American Oaks...
) and Payton d'Oro
Payton d'Oro
Payton d'Oro is an American Thoroughbred filly racehorse. She has won four of her last five outings. She was a September Keeneland Sales graduate that sold for only $35,000 in September 2007 as a yearling...
(Black-Eyed Susan Stakes
Black-Eyed Susan Stakes
The Black-Eyed Susan Stakes is an American Thoroughbred horse race run annually at Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore, Maryland. The race is open to three-year-old fillies willing to race one and one-eighth miles on the dirt and currently offers a purse of $250,000...
). In 2009, Medaglia d'Oro was the leading second-crop sire in North America, with over $7.7 million in 2009 progeny earnings.
Dam
Morrison bred and raced Rachel Alexandra's dam, Lotta Kim (foaled 2001, Kentucky), a moderately successful racehorse whose biggest win came in the Tiffany Lass Stakes at Fair Grounds Race CourseFair Grounds Race Course
Fair Grounds Race Course, often known as New Orleans Fair Grounds, is a thoroughbred racetrack and racino in New Orleans, Louisiana. It is operated by Churchill Downs Louisiana Horseracing Company, LLC....
. Soon after that race, she was injured in a training accident and retired. Rachel Alexandra is Lotta Kim's first and only surviving foal; Lotta Kim's 2007 colt by Empire Maker
Empire Maker
Empire Maker is an American Thoroughbred racehorse. Owned and bred by Prince Khalid Abdullah's Juddmonte Farms, he was sired by champion Unbridled, winner of the 1990 Kentucky Derby and Breeders' Cup Classic...
succumbed to a rare neurological disorder known as Wobbler disease
Wobbler disease
Wobbler disease is a condition of the cervical vertebrae that causes an unsteady gait and weakness in dogs and horses. The term wobbler disease refers to a number of different conditions of the cervical spinal column that all cause similar symptoms...
, while her 2008 foal was born prematurely and died. Morrison did not breed Lotta Kim in 2009, but plans to return her to Medaglia d’Oro next year, having declined numerous offers to sell the mare in the wake of Rachel Alexandra's success., and then to Darley Stud
Darley Stud
Darley Stud is a Thoroughbred breeding operation owned by HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, ruler of Dubai and vice-president of the United Arab Emirates. Darley breeds horses in the United Kingdom, Ireland, the United States, Dubai, Japan and Australia....
in June 2009.
Rachel Alexandra had a different personality than her dam. "Lotta Kim had a terrible disposition," Wiggins recalled. "She wasn't really mean, but plumb ornery. She made it a project every time you wanted to do something with her. Completely the opposite from Rachel Alexandra. I don't know what you could do to get Rachel Alexandra excited, except go into the starting gate."
Through Lotta Kim, Rachel Alexandra is a fourth-generation descendant of superstud Mr. Prospector
Mr. Prospector
Mr. Prospector was a thoroughbred racehorse foaled in Kentucky, whose descendants have been dominant in the United States Triple Crown of Thoroughbred Racing. He won half of his 14 career races.-Background:...
. Another superstud, Northern Dancer
Northern Dancer
Northern Dancer was a Canadian-bred Thoroughbred racehorse and the most successful sire of the 20th Century. The National Thoroughbred Racing Association calls him "one of the most influential sires in Thoroughbred history"....
, is in both sides of her pedigree.
Breeding and Early Training
Morrison stated that he bred Lotta Kim to Medaglia d'Oro because he was impressed with the stallion's physical presence and compatibility with the mare:According to Morrison, Rachel Alexandra looked "a little raw-boned and a little scruffy" as a foal. Morrison rarely sells the first couple of foals out of his mares, but he almost made an exception with Rachel Alexandra, entering her in the 2006 Keeneland November Sale
Keeneland Sales
The Keeneland Sales is an American Thoroughbred auction house in Lexington, Kentucky founded in 1935 as a nonprofit racing/auction entity on 147 acres of farmland west of Lexington, which had been owned by Jack O. Keene...
as a weanling
Weanling
A weanling is an animal that has just been weaned. The term is usually used to refer to a type of young horse, a foal that has been weaned, usually between the ages of 6 months and a year. Once a year old, the horse is referred to as a yearling.-References:...
. When X-rays revealed a "minor development problem" - he scratched her, convinced she wouldn't bring the $125,000 he thought she was worth.
In August 2007 Morrison sent Rachel Alexandra to Diamond D Ranch in Lone Oak, Texas, where Jimmy (Scooter) Dodwell broke her in. In November of that year Morrison called Dodwell and asked if Rachel was ready to be entered in a Florida sale. Dodwell wasn't so sure. Rachel Alexandra was one of the best young horses he had seen. "She had a ton of speed, with a long stride, and [I thought] she might be able to run forever," recalls Dodwell. "I stuck my neck out and told Mr. Morrison, 'You might want to hang onto this one.'"
Jockey
Rachel Alexandra's original jockey was Brian Hernandez, Jr, who rode Rachel Alexandra to two wins in five starts. But by chance, Wiggins had used Calvin BorelCalvin Borel
Calvin H. Borel is an American jockey in thoroughbred horse racing and rode the victorious mount in the 2007 Kentucky Derby, the 2009 Kentucky Derby and the 2010 Kentucky Derby...
to work Rachel and considered a change. Borel first rode Rachel Alexandra in the 11/29/2008 Golden Rod Stakes
Golden Rod Stakes
The Golden Rod Stakes is an American Thoroughbred horse race held annually in late November at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky. A Grade II event open to two-year-old fillies, it is contested on dirt over a distance of 11/16 miles ....
(Grade II) to a 4 ¾ length victory, setting a stakes record for time. Since that race, Rachel Alexandra began a 9-race winning streak with Calvin Borel
Calvin Borel
Calvin H. Borel is an American jockey in thoroughbred horse racing and rode the victorious mount in the 2007 Kentucky Derby, the 2009 Kentucky Derby and the 2010 Kentucky Derby...
on the mount, a streak that included several stakes records for time and winning margin. One of the secrets to success, according to Calvin, is that he just lets Rachel Alexandra do her thing. Borel said he's learned not to hold back Rachel Alexandra, even if she wants to run the first quarter-mile in a fast 22 seconds or the half-mile in 44. "I don't fight her ever since I've been on her," he said. "The first day I learned that."
2009 Fantasy Stakes
Following dominating wins in the Martha Washington StakesMartha Washington Stakes
The Martha Washington Stakes is an American Thoroughbred horse race held annually in mid February at Oaklawn Park Race Track in Hot Springs, Arkansas...
and Fair Grounds Oaks
Fair Grounds Oaks
The Fair Grounds Oaks is a race for Thoroughbred horses run in April at Fair Grounds Race Course each year. The Grade II Oaks is open to fillies, age three, willing to race one and one-sixteenth miles on the dirt, and offers a purse of $400,000. The Fair Grounds Oaks is one of the key prep races...
, Rachel Alexandra stepped into the Oaklawn Park
Oaklawn Park
Oaklawn Park is an American thoroughbred racetrack in Hot Springs, Arkansas. It is the home to The Racing Festival of the South.In 2009, the Horseplayers Association of North America introduced a rating system for 65 Thoroughbred racetracks in North America. Of the top Ten, Oaklawn was ranked...
starting gate as the 1-10 favorite in the Fantasy Stakes
Fantasy Stakes
The Fantasy Stakes is an American Thoroughbred horse race run annually at Oaklawn Park in Hot Springs, Arkansas. A Grade II event, it is open to three-year-old fillies willing to race one and one-sixteenth miles on the dirt.-Records:Speed record:...
and did not disappoint, leading wire-to-wire in the 1 mile race and winning by 8 lengths finishing with a final time of 1:43.35. A minus win pool of $3,382 and minus place pool of $227,722 resulted, with no show wagering offered for the 5 horse field.
2009 Kentucky Oaks
The $500,000 Kentucky Oaks (G1) at Churchill Downs is the most important race in America for 3-year-old fillies. Rachel Alexandra was sent off as the 3-10 favorite, coming to Louisville off four straight wins, all in stakes company, including an 8 length romp in the Fantasy at Oaklawn last out. Gabby's Golden Gal was quickest away and was sent to the lead immediately by jockey Victor Espinoza, as she set a pace of 23.75, 47.46, and 1:11.81 over the fast main track. Rachel Alexandra sat 1 lengths off the pace in second, just to her outside. Turning for home, jockey Calvin Borel nudged Rachel Alexandra and she eased on past the pacesetter to take over the lead at the 1/4 pole. Once in front of the tiring Gabby's Golden Gal, Rachel Alexander sprinted away from the field to win by a record margin of 20 lengths in a time of 1:48.87, just 0.33 seconds off Bird Town's stakes record. Rachel Alexandra finished her last 1/8th of a mile in 12.00 seconds flat under no pressure.Shortly after victory in the Kentucky Oaks - a 20-length win, by far the largest in the race's history - it was announced that Rachel Alexandra was sold to Jess Jackson's Stonestreet Stables and Harold T. McCormick. ESPN
ESPN
Entertainment and Sports Programming Network, commonly known as ESPN, is an American global cable television network focusing on sports-related programming including live and pre-taped event telecasts, sports talk shows, and other original programming....
reported that she would be transferred to trainer Steve Asmussen
Steve Asmussen
Steven Mark Asmussen is an American Thoroughbred racehorse trainer. Born into a horse racing family, his parents, Keith and Marilyn "Sis" Asmussen, are both trainers who operate El Primero Training Center off the Mines Road in Laredo, the seat of Webb County in south Texas...
. Before this, she was not expected to run against colts
Colt (horse)
A colt is a young male horse, under the age of four. The term "colt" is often confused with foal, which refers to a horse of either sex under one year of age....
, but with her change of ownership came a change of plans. Jess Jackson, owner of Curlin, paid the US$100,000 supplemental fee which allowed her to race in the Preakness Stakes
Preakness Stakes
The Preakness Stakes is an American flat Thoroughbred horse race for three-year-olds held on the third Saturday in May each year at Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore, Maryland. It is a Grade I race run over a distance of 9.5 furlongs on dirt. Colts and geldings carry 126 pounds ; fillies 121 lb...
.
2009 Preakness Stakes
After her performance in the Oaks and the subsequent sale, new trainer Steve Asmussen and owner Jess Jackson decided to send Rachel Alexandra to the 2009 Preakness Stakes2009 Preakness Stakes
The 2009 Preakness Stakes was the 134th running of the Preakness Stakes, the second leg of horse racing's Triple Crown. The value of the race was $1,100,000 in stakes. The race was sponsored by BlackBerry and hence officially was called Blackberry Preakness Stakes. The race took place on May 16,...
. Rachel Alexandra was the first filly to win the Preakness Stakes in 85 years, since 1924. Kentucky Derby winner Mine That Bird
Mine That Bird
Mine That Bird is a retired American racehorse. He is best known for being one of only nine geldings to win the Kentucky Derby, and the second gelding to win the race since 1929...
made a late charge, and placed 2nd. Rachel Alexandra also was the first horse to win from the 13th post position and is the first Kentucky Oaks winner also win the Preakness.
2009 Mother Goose Stakes
On June 27, 2009, Rachel Alexandra ran the $300,000 Grade 1 Mother Goose StakesMother Goose Stakes
The Mother Goose Stakes is an American thoroughbred horse race for three-year-old fillies held at Belmont Park in Elmont, New York. Raced on dirt, the Grade I race offers a purse of $250,000. Inaugurated in 1957 at a mile and a sixteenth, it was lengthened to a mile and an eighth in 1959...
at Belmont Park
Belmont Park
Belmont Park is a major thoroughbred horse-racing facility located in Elmont in the Town of Hempstead in Nassau County, New York, on Long Island adjoining New York City. It first opened on May 4, 1905...
, with Calvin Borel
Calvin Borel
Calvin H. Borel is an American jockey in thoroughbred horse racing and rode the victorious mount in the 2007 Kentucky Derby, the 2009 Kentucky Derby and the 2010 Kentucky Derby...
as jockey. She was sent off the 1-20 favorite and won the race by 19 lengths, breaking the stakes record with a time of 1:46:33 as well as the record margin of victory of 13 lengths set by great Ruffian
Ruffian (horse)
Ruffian was an American champion thoroughbred racehorse. Ruffian is considered by many to be the greatest female racehorse in history. Ruffian is among the greatest U.S. racehorses of all time. Her story was told in 2007 film Ruffian.- Career :An almost coal black filly of 16 and a half hands,...
in 1975. Despite being eased in the stretch her time was less than a second slower than Secretariat's 1973 track record of 1:45 in the inaugural Marlboro Cup Sept. 15, 1973. A minus win pool of $18,698 resulted, with no place or show wagering offered.
2009 Haskell Stakes
On August 2, 2009, Rachel Alexandra ran the (bumped up from $1 mil purse of) $1.25 million Grade 1 Haskell Invitational at Monmouth Park at a distance of 1 mi. Toting 117-lbs she won by 6 lengths in a time of 1:47.21 on a listed sloppy track which was just 0.21 seconds off the stakes record and 0.41 seconds off the track record. She was assigned a Beyer Speed FigureBeyer Speed Figure
The Beyer Speed Figure is a system for rating the performance of Thoroughbred racehorses in North America designed in the early 1970s by Andrew Beyer, the syndicated horse racing columnist for The Washington Post...
rating of 116. This is the highest Beyer Speed Figure
Beyer Speed Figure
The Beyer Speed Figure is a system for rating the performance of Thoroughbred racehorses in North America designed in the early 1970s by Andrew Beyer, the syndicated horse racing columnist for The Washington Post...
of any horse in North America in 2009. Despite heavy rains the track enjoyed a large attendance with 37,090 people at Monmouth. In the 42 runnings of the Haskell fillies have won just twice: Serena's Song
Serena's Song
Serena’s Song is an American Thoroughbred race horse. She won 17 graded stakes races, including 11 Grade I , in three seasons for $3,286,388 in earnings....
in 1995 and Rachel Alexandra.
2009 Woodward Stakes
On September 5, 2009, Rachel Alexandra ran the (bumped up from $500,000 purse of) $750,000 Grade 1 Woodward StakesWoodward Stakes
The Woodward Stakes is an American Grade I stakes race and is one of the premier races for older thoroughbred horses in the United States. Named for prominent racehorse owner, George Nicholas Woodward, it is run at 1⅛ miles on the dirt for a purse of $750,000.The Woodward was run as a handicap in...
against older male horses at Saratoga Race Course
Saratoga Race Course
Saratoga Race Course is a Thoroughbred horse racing track in Saratoga Springs, New York, United States. It opened on August 3, 1863, and is the oldest organized sporting venue of any kind in the United States. It is typically open for racing from late July through early September.-History:John...
. By the time Rachel ran this race, she had run a grueling total of eleven races within the past 12 months. Following a blistering 22.85 opening quarter, she managed to hold off a run from the late-closing Macho Again
Macho Again
Macho Again is a retired American thoroughbred stallion racehorse. He was sired by the 2000 American Champion Two-Year-Old Colt Macho Uno, who in turn was a son of leading sire Holy Bull. He is out of the mare Go Donna Go, who is the daughter of Wild Again.Macho Again got his start as a...
and winning the Woodward Stakes
Woodward Stakes
The Woodward Stakes is an American Grade I stakes race and is one of the premier races for older thoroughbred horses in the United States. Named for prominent racehorse owner, George Nicholas Woodward, it is run at 1⅛ miles on the dirt for a purse of $750,000.The Woodward was run as a handicap in...
in a time of 1:48.29. Only five other fillies have ever attempted to run in this race, and only two others came in the money: Summer Guest finished third in 1972, and Lady's Secret
Lady's Secret
Lady's Secret was an American Eclipse Award winning Thoroughbred racemare that was listed in the Top 100 U.S. Racehorses of the 20th Century.-Breeding and background:...
finished 2nd in 1986. Rachel Alexandra was the only filly or mare ever to win the Woodward Stakes
Woodward Stakes
The Woodward Stakes is an American Grade I stakes race and is one of the premier races for older thoroughbred horses in the United States. Named for prominent racehorse owner, George Nicholas Woodward, it is run at 1⅛ miles on the dirt for a purse of $750,000.The Woodward was run as a handicap in...
. She also was the first 3-year-old filly to win a grade I route dirt race against older males in New York since since Lady Primrose won the Manhattan in 1887. This increased Rachel Alexandra's 2009 winning streak to 9 consecutive victories.
2010 New Orleans Ladies Stakes
On March 13, 2010, following a 6 month break from competition, Rachel Alexandra was rushed to enter her first race as a 4-year-old, the inaugural running of the 1 mile $200,000 New Orleans Ladies StakesNew Orleans Ladies Stakes
The New Orleans Ladies Stakes is an American Thoroughbred horse race created in 2010 at Fair Grounds Race Course in New Orleans, Louisiana to attract 2009 American Horse of the Year Rachel Alexandra to train and compete there. A $200,000 stakes raced in mid March, it is open to fillies and mares,...
at Fair Grounds Race Course
Fair Grounds Race Course
Fair Grounds Race Course, often known as New Orleans Fair Grounds, is a thoroughbred racetrack and racino in New Orleans, Louisiana. It is operated by Churchill Downs Louisiana Horseracing Company, LLC....
. Sent off 1-20 favorite for the second time of her career, Rachel Alexandra finished second by three-quarters of a length to the six year old mare Zardana, who achieved a career best speed figure of 101 in the race. Rachel toted top weight of 123 pounds, with Zardana at 121 pounds, and the rest of the field at 117 pounds. It was 11 lengths back to third-place finisher Unforgotten, a 6-year-old daughter of Northern Afleet. In her place finish, Rachel was assigned a Beyer Speed Figure of 100. Following the second-place finish, owner Jess Jackson deemed Rachel "unfit" to compete in the Apple Blossom, in which it was planned that she would face 2008 and 2009 Champion older mare and 2010 Horse of the Year Zenyatta
Zenyatta
Zenyatta is a retired American champion Thoroughbred racehorse, winner of 19 consecutive races in a 20-race career and American record-holder for consecutive victories without defeat in unrestricted races....
.
2010 La Troienne
Making her second start on April 30, 2010, Rachel Alexandra finished second by a head to the Rampart Stakes and 2010 Breeder's Cup Ladies Classic winner Unrivaled BelleUnrivaled Belle
Unrivaled Belle is a gray/roan American Thoroughbred racehorse owned and bred in Kentucky by Gary Seidler & Peter Vegso. She is a daughter of America's champion sire and champion racehorse Unbridled's Song, a descendant of the very influential sire, Mr...
in the Grade II La Troienne Stakes
La Troienne Stakes
The Eight Belles Stakes is a Grade III race run at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky each year on Kentucky Derby Day. Run at a distance of 7½ furlongs, it is open to three-year-old filly sprinters and offers a purse of $100,000....
at Churchill Downs
Churchill Downs
Churchill Downs, located in Central Avenue in south Louisville, Kentucky, United States, is a Thoroughbred racetrack most famous for hosting the Kentucky Derby annually. It officially opened in 1875, and held the first Kentucky Derby and the first Kentucky Oaks in the same year. Churchill Downs...
. Rachel was carrying the top weight of 124 lbs and was giving 4 lbs or more to the rest of the field. Although she finished second, Rachel Alexandra's finishing time was a slightly over a second away from the Churchill Downs track record for that distance, putting both Rachel and Unrivaled Belle's Beyer Speed Figure at 103. This was the career best speed figure for Unrivaled Belle.
2010 Fleur de Lis Handicap
On June 12, 2010, as the 1-9 favorite in a 5 horse field, Rachel Alexandra won the 1 mile $214,000 Grade 2 Fleur de Lis HandicapFleur De Lis Handicap
The Fleur de Lis Handicap is an American Thoroughbred horse race run annually in mid-June at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky. The race is open to filles and mares, age three and up, willing to race one and one-eighth miles on the dirt...
in its 36th running at Churchill Downs. Carrying the top weight of 124 lbs, giving 7 to 11 lbs to the rest of the field, Rachel without any significant urging by Calvin she put away her rivals at the head of the stretch to win by 10 ½ lengths. Her finishing time of 1:48.78 was a fraction faster than her Kentucky Oaks victory last year and shy by a second and a half from the track record. She was assigned a Beyer Speed Figure of 109, the highest for any filly or mare thus far that year.
2010 Lady's Secret Stakes
Her fourth start in 2010 was announced Thursday July 1, 2010 - a day after she arrived at Saratoga for the summer - would be at Monmouth Park Saturday, July 24, in the Lady's Secret Stakes at a mile and an eighth. The officials at Monmouth Park bumped the purse of the ungraded race from $150,000 to $400,000, contingent upon her starting in the race. The Monmouth race is not to be confused with the Oak Tree/Santa Anita race of the same name, Lady's Secret Stakes. Rachel Alexandra won the Lady's Secret by three lengths.2010 Personal Ensign
On 29 August 2010, Rachel Alexandra under Calvin Borel finished second by a length to Persistently at the 1 in the $300,000 Personal Ensign Stakes at Saratoga Race CourseSaratoga Race Course
Saratoga Race Course is a Thoroughbred horse racing track in Saratoga Springs, New York, United States. It opened on August 3, 1863, and is the oldest organized sporting venue of any kind in the United States. It is typically open for racing from late July through early September.-History:John...
, a potential prep for the Breeders Cup Classic.
In that race, Rachel Alexandra and champion mare Life at Ten hooked up in a moderate pace. Rachel was able to outlast Life at Ten but could not hold off the on coming charge of Persistently who ran by her 1/16th of a mile before the finish.
2010 Retirement
On September 28, 2010, Rachel Alexandra was retired from racing and became a broodmare for the 2011 breeding season.Breeding
Her first mating was with Curlin (2007 and 2008 American Horse of the Year) on the 22nd of February - who also raced for owner Jess Stonestreet Jackson, Jr.“The privilege of owning these horses is like lightning striking twice,” Banke said in a statement. “Rachel Alexandra and Curlin are true champions; both horses embody that intangible equine ideal that separate mere horse from legend. Both Jess and I are so pleased that these powerful bloodlines will pass to future generations.”
During the airing of the Kentucky Derby on May 7, it was announced that she is carrying a colt by Curlin, and is due in February.
2009 Champion Three-Year-Old Filly
On January 18, 2010, Rachel Alexandra won the Eclipse AwardEclipse Award
The Eclipse Award is an American thoroughbred horse racing award named after the 18th century British racehorse and sire, Eclipse. The Eclipse Awards, honoring the champions of the sport, are sponsored by the National Thoroughbred Racing Association , Daily Racing Form and the National Turf Writers...
for Champion Three-Year-Old Filly. Rachel Alexandra received unanimous voting with all 232 ballots cast for her in the Champion Three-Year-Old Filly.
2009 Horse of the Year
On January 18, 2010, Rachel Alexandra won the most prestigious of the Eclipse Awards, the Horse of the Year award, with 130 votes beating out rival mare ZenyattaZenyatta
Zenyatta is a retired American champion Thoroughbred racehorse, winner of 19 consecutive races in a 20-race career and American record-holder for consecutive victories without defeat in unrestricted races....
's 99 votes. Following a widely publicized vote, all three voting blocs ultimately went for Rachel Alexandra: The National Turf Writers Association by 71 votes to 51, the Daily Racing Form
Daily Racing Form
The Daily Racing Form is a tabloid newspaper founded in 1894 in Chicago, Illinois by Frank Brunell. The paper publishes the past performances of race horses as a statistical service for bettors on horse racing in the United States....
by a 31-23 margin, and the National Thoroughbred Racing Association (which includes racing secretaries and members of Equibase) by 28-25. Rachel Alexandra was the only 3 year old filly ever to receive the Eclipse
Eclipse
An eclipse is an astronomical event that occurs when an astronomical object is temporarily obscured, either by passing into the shadow of another body or by having another body pass between it and the viewer...
Horse of the Year Award since the Eclipse Awards began in 1971. (Azeri 2002, Lady's Secret
Lady's Secret
Lady's Secret was an American Eclipse Award winning Thoroughbred racemare that was listed in the Top 100 U.S. Racehorses of the 20th Century.-Breeding and background:...
1986, and All Along
All Along
All Along was a champion Thoroughbred racemare that was foaled in France. She was one of the top fillies of the last part of the 20th century, racing mostly in Europe.-Background:...
1983 - all were 4 years old when they won Eclipse
Eclipse
An eclipse is an astronomical event that occurs when an astronomical object is temporarily obscured, either by passing into the shadow of another body or by having another body pass between it and the viewer...
Horse of the Year). (Prior to the advent of the Eclipse Awards, there were comparable awards known as the Horse of the Year in which there were three other 3 year old filly winners (Busher
Busher (horse)
Busher was a thoroughbred racing filly. She was sired by War Admiral, the winner of the Triple Crown in 1937, and the great son of a great legend, Man o' War. She was out of Baby League by Bubbling Over, the colt who won the 1926 Kentucky Derby...
, Twilight Tear
Twilight Tear
Twilight Tear was an American Hall of Fame Thoroughbred filly racehorse. At age two, she won four of her six starts, finishing second and third in her other two starts. Her performances earned her a share of 2-year-old filly honors....
, Regret
Regret (horse)
Regret was a famous American thoroughbred racehorse and the first of three fillies to ever win the Kentucky Derby.-Background:She was foaled at Harry Payne Whitney's Brookdale Farm in Lincroft, New Jersey...
, Beldame
Beldame
Beldame was one of the great racing fillies of Twentieth century American breeding.-A horse to lease:The chestnut was foaled near Lexington, Kentucky in 1901 by Octagon, out of the English bred Bella Donna...
), and one 2 year old filly (Moccasin
Moccasin
A Moccasin is a form of shoe worn by Native Americans, as well as by hunters, traders, and settlers in the frontier regions of North America.Moccasin may also refer to:* Moccasin , an American Thoroughbred racehorse-Places:...
).
The Rachel Alexandra Stakes
On September 29, 2010, just after that Rachel Alexandra's retirement was announced, The Fair Grounds Race CourseFair Grounds Race Course
Fair Grounds Race Course, often known as New Orleans Fair Grounds, is a thoroughbred racetrack and racino in New Orleans, Louisiana. It is operated by Churchill Downs Louisiana Horseracing Company, LLC....
, renamed the Silverbulletday Stakes
Silverbulletday Stakes
The Rachel Alexandra Stakes formerly known as the Silverbulletday Stakes, is an American Thoroughbred horse race run annually at Fair Grounds Race Course in New Orleans, Louisiana in early February. An important prep for developing fillies, the Grade III event is for three-year-olds and set at a...
to the Rachel Alexandra Stakes
Silverbulletday Stakes
The Rachel Alexandra Stakes formerly known as the Silverbulletday Stakes, is an American Thoroughbred horse race run annually at Fair Grounds Race Course in New Orleans, Louisiana in early February. An important prep for developing fillies, the Grade III event is for three-year-olds and set at a...
to honor the 2009 American Horse of the Year.
Pedigree
External links
- Rachel Alexandra's pedigree and partial racing stats
- Bloodhorse.com profile on Rachel Alexandra
- Rachel Alexandra Fan Site - with News, Biography, Videos, Photos, and Forums
- Darley: Medaglia d'Oro
- May 1, 2009 Bloodhorse.com article titled Rachel Alexandra a Breathtaking Oaks Winner
- Video at YouTube of Rachel Alexandra winning the 2009 Kentucky Oaks
- May 6, 2009 Bloodhorse.com article titled Rachel Alexandra Sold
- History Of The Woodland Vase, Rachel Alexandra's Trophy for winning the 2009 Preakness Stakes
- Official Apple Blossom Invitational website (created by Oaklawn Park)