Great Yarmouth Superhero Family Funday Racing 3rd August 2025, Race 1 won by Moon Target (#1), jockey Luke Morris. (Leaderboard Photography)
Winner to Receive Automatic Berths into Oct. 31 – Nov. 1 World Championships at Del Mar
Breeders’ Cup Releae
CHICHESTER, England – Sir Mark Prescott’s exciting 2-year-old Moon Target (GB), is set for her stiffest task yet as she takes on a compelling field of talented 2-year-old fillies in the Prestige Fillies’ Stakes (G3) at Goodwood on Sunday. The winner of the 7-furlong contest is guaranteed an automatic starting position in the $1 million John Deere Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf (G1) through the Breeders’ Cup Challenge Series: Win and You’re In.
The Breeders’ Cup Challenge Series is an international series of 93 stakes races in 15 countries whose winners receive automatic starting positions and fees paid into a corresponding race at the Breeders’ Cup World Championships, scheduled to be held Oct. 31-Nov. 1 at the Del Mar Thoroughbred Club in Del Mar, California.
Out of a half-sister to Inspiral (GB), Moon Target made a sparkling impression for Cheveley Park Stud on debut at Newmarket when winning the Juddmonte EBF Restricted Maiden Fillies’ Stakes in July. She then confirmed her promise with a smooth follow up victory in novice company at Yarmouth earlier this month. Her progression has marked her out as a filly with real potential, and she now deservedly steps into Group company with Luke Morris aboard at odds of 7-2.
Prescott said: “You don’t want to be disparaging, but I don’t suppose they were world-beaters Moon Target beat at Yarmouth. However, she did it well didn’t she and she appears to be very relaxed which is such a great help.”
Asked when he became aware of Moon Target’s ability, Prescott said: “Not until I worked her, I liked her much, much more once I worked her as she always went very, very well without apparently doing anything.
“Initially I thought the others must be very bad because of the way she just did it, so she’s been interesting, and I think she caught everybody by surprise when it turned out at home she could go.”
With one Prestige Stakes for Moon Target’s owners secured almost 30 years ago, Prescott hopes the daughter of Cracksman (GB) can rise to the challenge for another: “I’ve been a while without one for Cheveley and I had a marvelous run for them with Pivotal, Red Camellia who actually won the Prestige, and Hooray, who often gets forgotten and was champion 2-year-old filly.”
The leading owner-breeder operation have previously captured Breeders’ Cup glory with Queen’s Trust (GB), winner of the Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Turf (G1) in 2016 under Frankie Dettori, and the aforementioned Inspiral, who clinched the 2023 renewal of the same race at Santa Anita Park for John and Thady Gosden.
While several of the strong contenders originally entered for Sunday’s meeting are now out, each of the eight declared comes into the race with a respectable hand. Al Shaqab Racing & Amo Racing’s Aylin (IRE), a course and distance winner for trainer Karl Burke, returns to stamp his authority at Goodwood having won the Tatler British EBF Maiden Fillies’ Stakes last month.
Aidan O’Brien, who became the joint-winning most trainer in Breeders’ Cup history when Henri Matisse (IRE) stormed to Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf (G1) victory in 2024, saddles one contender in this race, the only horse to represent an Irish challenge. Precise (IRE) – owned by Derrick Smith, Mrs. John Magnier, Michael B. Tabor & Westerberg – is untested at this level but nonetheless appears a smart prospect following her maiden victory.
Also prominent in the field is Jennifer Jane (IRE), who boasts the highest official rating at 99. Trained by Charlie Johnston and ridden by Callum Shepherd, she arrives with a solid record, including a win over the distance and a second in Listed company most recently.
Other runners include Spinning Lizzie (GB), ridden by Hollie Doyle for Dr. Richard Newland & Jamie Insole and David Menuisier’s Stimulative Trip (FR), an impressive debut winner for owners Mr. Simon Munir & Mr. Isaac Souede, partnered by Kieran Shoemark. Rounding off the line-up is Richard Hannon’s Orion’s Belt (IRE), who finished behind Jennifer Jane in third at Sandown last time outand Sukanya (GB), trained by George Bass, who adds an element of the unknown to what promises to be a fascinating renewal of the Prestige Stakes.
As part of the benefits of the Challenge Series, Breeders’ Cup will pay the entry fees for the winner of the Prestige Fillies Stakes (G3) to start in the $1 million John Deere Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf (G1). Breeders’ Cup will also provide a travel allowance for all starters based outside of North America to compete in the World Championships. The Challenge winner must be nominated to the Breeders’ Cup program by the pre-entry deadline of Oct. 20 in order to receive the rewards.
