In Profile: Seismic Beauty

By Peter Fornatale 

Having made $550k at the sales and described by her trainer as a “big filly,” Seismic Beauty appears to be a very well named. After a promising start to her career, 2025 started off disappointingly but has taken a rapid turn for the better since and she may hit new heights again in this year’s Breeders’ Cup Distaff.

A wide-margin Maiden winner at Del Mar on her second start having shaped well on her debut, Seismic Beauty promised much heading into this season and with a tall reputation, and that price tag, it wasn’t really a huge surprise that she was sent off long odds-on for third career run in Optional Claiming company. However, she could only finish second to Wishtheyallcouldbe, who has failed to win again in four starts since.

With that run under her belt and kept at the same level, her next race looked a formality and the betting public once again waded in, but they were to be disappointed once more. This effort was even worse, as Seismic Beauty could only finish third behind two older mares – the runner up was an exposed 7-year-old – and couldn’t even hit an 80 Beyer, running just a 72.

Nonetheless, bettors once again kept the faith as Seismic Beauty stretched out to a mile for her fifth start and this time they were rewarded in some style. Making the lead, the daughter of Uncle Mo just went further and further clear, romping home by 10 lengths and finally looking like the Stakes-class filly she had always promised to be. The visual impression was backed up by the Beyer of 95, a big career-best, and there was better still to come.

Moving into Graded company for the Santa Margarita Stakes, Seismic Beauty again put on an exhibition of galloping. Speeding to the front, she powered down the Santa Anita stretch to win with any amount in hand, leaving her stablemate Splendora trailing in her wake. She improved her Beyer again in the process, this time hitting a three-digit figure, with a 104 – and the breath-taking manner of her display – marking her out as one of the best distaffers in the US.

Bob Baffert’s star wasn’t seen for three months following that win but returned in the Clement L Hirsch Stakes at Del Mar on her most recent start, with her last two wins earning her a crack at Grade 1 company. Facing a good field that included Kopion – who had run a 109 and a 110 Beyer this season – and in-form Chilean champion Richi, Seismic Beauty proved that she was the real deal.

Showing excellent speed from the gate, she set fast fractions but was still able to produce a fine kick at the top of the stretch to build up a lead that the fast-finishing Kopion could only reduce to 1.5 lengths.

That victory was a complete performance from Seismic Beauty, who once again smashed the clock, this time hitting a 110 Beyer, a new high and a number bettered by only one female this year, Thorpedo Anna. Last year’s Distaff winner bombed out on her most recent start and will not make the race this year, so everything looks right for Seismic Beauty to step into the spotlight.

Improving, fast, classy and with home advantage, it’s going to take a very good one to pass her around Del Mar this November 1st.

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