Moira ultra-impressive in capturing the Queen’s Plate under Rafael Hernandez (Michael Burns)
By Chris Lomon – Woodbine Communications
TORONTO— Moira, who recorded three wins from five starts in 2022, including victories in the Queen’s Plate (now known as the King’s Plate) and Woodbine Oaks Presented by Budweiser, will make her 4-year-old debut in the $150,000 Belle Mahone (G3) Stakes.
Nine fillies and mares, 4-year-olds and up, will travel 1 1/16 miles on the Tapeta in race eight on the card.
Trained by Kevin Attard for owners X-Men Racing, Madaket Stables, and SF Racing, Moira was crowned Canada’s Horse of the Year and champion 3-year-old filly at the Sovereign Awards ceremony earlier this year.
Moira captured the Fury Stakes and Woodbine Oaks before an impressive seven-length score over males in the $1 million Plate, in which she shattered Woodbine’s 1 ¼-mile synthetic-track record.
“There are a lot of things that stand out from last year,” said Attard. “Watching her win the Oaks and Plate, and doing it the way she did, was so impressive. And to see the outpouring of affection from fans meant the world to all of us. And to see her efforts recognized at the Sovereigns was extremely humbling.”
The daughter of Ghostzapper completed her campaign with two grade 1 engagements, demoted from second to eighth in the E. P. Taylor Stakes (G1T) for interference, and finishing fifth in her year-end start in the Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Turf (G1T) at Keeneland.
The bay breezed five furlongs on the Tapeta in 1:01.00 on May 27.
“We’re all excited to see Moira start her season,” said Attard. “She’s obviously a very special and extremely talented individual. She had a great winter and she’s looked sharp ahead of this race. She’s continued to mature, and hopefully she can start things off on a winning note.”
Bred in Ontario by Adena Springs, Moira won the 2021 Princess Elizabeth Stakes in her debut and followed it up with a second in the Mazarine (G3) to conclude her 2-year-old season.
“There are a lot of compliments I could come up with, but in some ways, I don’t know if I have the words to share just how special she is,” praised Attard.
Champion rider Kazushi Kimura will be aboard for the Belle Mahone.
Other starters include multiple stakes winner Il Malocchio, Godolphin homebred Purrfect, and multiple graded stakes winner Souper Hoity Toity.
$150,000 BELLE MAHONE STAKES
Post – Horse – Jockey – Trainer
1 – Moira – Kazushi Kimura – Kevin Attard
2 – Batyah – Luis Contreras – Josie Carroll
3 – Souper Hoity Toity – Patrick Husbands – Mark Casse
4 – Sister Seagull – Emma-Jayne Wilson – Catherine Day Phillips
5 – Il Malocchio – Sahin Civaci – Martin Drexler
6 – Missy Greer – Declan Carroll – Danny Gargan
7 – Purrfect – Ryan Munger – Michael Stidham
8 – Saratoga Vision – Jeffrey Alderson – Alexander Patykewich
9 – Keyflower (FR) – Rafael Hernandez – Mark Casse
