LAST YEAR'S WINNER - MOIRA

• Trainer: Chris Waller
• Jockey: Flavien Prat
• Owner: Madaket Stables LLC, Sf Racing LLC and X-Men Racing
• US Tote Win: $13.60
• BETTING STATS
• 2007-2024
• Favourites: 2/18 (11.1%) | Level stake loss -66.7%
• Odds-on Favs: 0/4 (0%) | Level stake loss -100%
• Median winning price: 6.8-1
• 2008-2024 in California
• Favourites: 2/11 (18.2%) | Level stake loss -45.5%
• Odds-on Favs: 0/1 (0%) | Level stake loss -100%
• Median winning price: 5.5-1

By Barry Faulkner

Due to the configurations of the various locations where the Breeders’ Cup has taken place, this division has been run at distances between a mile and a furlong up to a mile and three. That was the trip last year, when Moira prevailed, and it will also be the race distance this year.

In the last 18 editions of the Filly & Mare Turf, only two favourites have been victorious in Dank in 2013 and Inspiral in 2023. Last year’s winner Moira was fourth in the betting and held on to win from the closing favourite Cinderella’s Dream.

Although 10 of the winners were in the top three in the betting, another six went off at double-figure prices, while all four odds-on favourites failed to get the job done.

Run record and class clues

As well as being the only winning favourites, Dank and Inspiral were also trained over here, joining six other winners from this side of the pond. Although this has been a good race for the European contingent, Chad Brown’s four winners puts him top of the leader board.

Despite last year’s winner having run well in G1 races, she had not won one before taking this in 2024, although she did have a couple of G2 successes on her CV. However, 14 of the other 17 winners were G1 winners on arrival. Moira was the 11th winner to turn up following a last-time-out defeat, including seven of the last nine.

Run styles

Although this has been raced over a variety of distances, it has generally been won by a stalker/closer.

Age group

Moira became the third five-year-old to prevail but four-year-olds have won eight in total. However, it is worth noting that the five three-year-olds to win this all shipped from this side of the Atlantic.

Draw

The draw has had a negligible impact on the outcome of this division.

Guidelines

• All four odds-on shots were turned over, while favourites in general are not to be trusted

• The European contingent is usually strong, particularly three-year-old fillies

• Chad Brown’s runners should be respected

• Stalkers/closers have the best record