Frankel's Lake Victoria cruises to victory in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf

'TDN Rising Star' Lake Victoria (Ire) (Frankel {GB}) was first to strike for the Irish-based outfit in the GI John Deere Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf under a typically savvy steer from Ryan Moore.

Taken from Thoroughbred Daily News, 3rd November 2024; by Alan Carasso.

Pounded into 7-10 favoritism to add the Juvenile Fillies to her previous elite-level conquests in the Moyglare Stud Stakes at the Curragh and in the Cheveley Park Stud Stakes at Newmarket just 13 days apart last month, Lake Victoria was taken in hand and made best use of her inside draw to save every inch of ground as top American hope Thought Process (Collected)–the only other of Lake Victoria's rivals to jump at single-digit odds–led from Kilwin (Twirling Candy) and a three-wide Abientot (Not This Time). She was nursed along into the second turn by Moore, who went for her in earnest at the five-sixteenths marker as Thought Process continued to hold the call as the Juvenile Fillies Turf field faced the judge. Threading the needle from there, Lake Victoria took a gap between Kilwin and Abientot and just in advance of May Day Ready (Tapit) shortly after turning into the lane stormed down the center and easily took care of business from there.

It was a second Breeders' Cup winner in as many years for Juddmonte's Frankel following Inspiral (GB) at Santa Anita last year, a 15th for Moore and the 19th for trainer Aidan O'Brien.

“She did quite well there,” O'Brien said. “She got crowded and bumped a bit on the first bend, so Ryan (Moore) was very cool on her and obviously ended up farther back than he wanted to be. It was her first time on a turning track and she was uneven on the straight and it was her first time over a mile. We're so delighted for everybody. Just wanted to say our very best wishes to Clem Murphy (Bloodstock consultant for Coolmore), who is usually here. Without him, none of this would ever be happening.”

Of the valiant runner-up, trainer Joe Lee said, “She always shows up, there is no doubt about that. She always seems to find some trouble here and there. That's OK. That's racing. (Lake Victoria) is the best in the world for sure, now. I thought she was the best in the world coming into it, to be honest with you. A real nice horse. No disgrace in defeat.”

Lake Victoria unsurprisingly won her maiden at first asking over seven furlongs at the Curragh June 28, leading home a Frankel 1-2 over Red Letter (GB) and proved a ready two-length winner of the Aug. 10 G3 Sweet Solera Stakes at Newmarket. With Moore opting for Bedtime Story (Ire) (Frankel {GB}) in the Moyglare, Wayne Lordan was in the irons for Lake Victoria's 11-2 upset, but Moore was back in the boot when the bay came away to take the Cheveley Park by a resounding three-length margin.

Pedigree Notes:

One of 35 Group 1/Grade I winners for Juddmonte's Frankel, Lake Victoria is one of three winners from four to race out of Quiet Reflection, popular winner of the 2016 G1 Commonwealth Cup at Royal Ascot and a multiple champion at five to seven furlongs. On behalf of Coolmore, M.V. Magnier went to 2.1 million guineas ($2,971,899) for Quiet Reflection at the 2017 Tattersalls December Mares sale.

Quiet Reflection is also the dam of Lake Victoria's yearling full-brother and a weanling full-brother.