Some have retired, a hearty few race on, but the winners of last year's Breeders' Cup World Championships will always have their place in history. Here we check in with the 14 runners who put on a great show in 2013.
View images from Steve Haskin's feature about Thoroughbred Racing's all-time top sprinters, appearing in the Aug. 23, 2014 issue of The Blood-Horse. This feature will also reveal poll results from our community. view slideshow
Owner/trainer Wesley Ward's Judy the Beauty, a seven-time winner who never has finished worse than third in 15 starts, eyes consecutive grade I victories in the $300,000 Humana Distaff Stakes at Churchill May 3.
Already 3-for-3 at Keeneland, Judy the Beauty will try to nail down the first grade I victory of her career April 12 in the $300,000 Madison Stakes (gr. I) at the Lexington track.
Stallion Keep Up, Gulfstream Park, Santa Anita Park, Australia, Parx, Sunland Park & Groupie Doll's final race. view slideshow
Evan Hammonds recaps the efforts of Candy Boy in the Robert B. Lewis Stakes, Blingo in the San Antonio Stakes, and Groupie Doll in the Hurricane Bertie Stakes. watch video
Two-time champion Groupie Doll provided a satisfying conclusion to her stellar career with an eye-catching last-to-first romp in the $200,000 Hurricane Bertie Stakes (gr. III) Feb. 9 at Gulfstream Park.
After a less than satisfying outcome in the Cigar Mile (gr. I) in November, owner Mandy Pope says she couldn't bear to see two-time female sprint champion Groupie Doll end her career that way.
With owner Mandy Pope on hand, two-time champion Groupie Doll breezed Feb. 2 at Gulfstream Park & Casino in preparation for her final career start in the Feb. 9 Hurricane Bertie Stakes.
Two-time Eclipse Award winner Groupie Doll breezed five furlongs at Gulfstream Park the morning of Jan. 25, preparing for her final career start in the $150,000 Hurricane Bertie (gr. III) Feb. 9.
Celebrating the winners of the 2013 Eclipse Awards. view slideshow
Wise Dan, the 2013 Horse of the Year, became the first horse to win three championships in consecutive years.
Groupie Doll's impressive Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Sprint (gr. I) win was sufficient to earn her a second Eclipse Award as champion female sprinter.
Champion Groupie Doll tuned up for a scheduled start in the $150,000 Hurricane Bertie (gr. III) with a sharp five-furlong breeze at Gulfstream Park the morning of Jan. 18.
Groupie Doll, Mizdirection, and Dance to Bristol are finalists for the Eclipse Award as Outstanding Female Sprinter for 2013, the same category for which Groupie Doll took home the statuette last year.
Mucho Macho Man breezed sharply Jan. 11 for his scheduled 2014 debut in the $400,000 Sunshine Millions Classic on Jan. 18 at Gulfstream Park, while top female sprinter Groupie Doll was also on the tab.
One day after arriving from a brief vacation in Ocala, champion sprinter Groupie Doll galloped at Gulfstream Park the morning of Jan. 8 in preparation for the final start of her brilliant career.
Preston Stables' hard-knocking Flat Out took the overland route to victory Nov. 30 in the Cigar Mile (gr. I), a race worth $753,000 due to the winner's previous grade I-winning status.
Top female sprinter Groupie Doll nearly won the Cigar Mile (gr. I) a year ago. Now she's back with a new slate of rivals to contend with, including grade I winners Goldencents and Verrazano.
In her final breeze in preparation for the Cigar Mile Handicap (gr. I) Nov. 30 at Aqueduct Racetrack, Groupie Doll completed four furlongs in :48.55 on the Belmont Park training track Nov. 25.
Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile (gr. I) winner Goldencents has been assigned 120 pounds and is the high weight among the nine expected starters for the Nov. 30 $500,000 Cigar Mile Handicap (gr. I) at Aqueduct Racetrack.
Lenny Shulman and Steve Haskin discuss 2013 Championships, Groupie Doll, 2-year-olds to watch for the 2014 Kentucky Derby, and Youth in Racing. Sponsored by Darby Dan Farm. Watch Video
Created by Secretariat's owner Penny Cheney, the Vox Populi Award recognizes the racehorse whose popularity and racing excellence best resounded with the public and gained recognition for the sport during the past year.
Reigning champion female sprinter Groupie Doll breezed a half mile Nov. 16 on the Belmont Park training track as she prepares for her second career start against males in the Cigar Mile Handicap (gr. I) Nov. 30 at Aqueduct.
Helped by dispersals and a global array of buyers, Keeneland's November sale ended Nov. 14 with substantial gains and a record-equaling median.
| Horse | Trainer | Breeder / Owner |
|---|---|---|
| Ariana D | Andrew McKeever |
|
| Future Generation (IRE) | Christophe Clement |
|
| Groupie Doll | William B. Bradley |
|
| Home Sweet Aspen | John W. Sadler |
|
| La Reine Lionne | Chad C. Brown |
|
| Musical Romance | William A. Kaplan |
|
| She's Cheeky | Peter Eurton |
|
| Sugarinthemorning | Ronald L. McAnally |
|
| Whipsaw City (FR) | Chad C. Brown |
|
| Whisked Away | Rowena Beck |
|
| Race | Track |
|---|---|
| Vinery Madison S. (gr. I) | KEE |
| RedBud S. | OP |
| Carousel S. | OP |
| Race 7 (AOC) at SA on 4/12/12 | SA |
| Race 6 (ALW) at KEE on 4/12/12 | KEE |
| Race | Track | Date |
|---|---|---|
| OBS Sprint S. | OTC | |
| OBS Sprint S. | OTC | |
| OBS Championship S. | OTC | |
| OBS Championship S. | OTC | |
| Marshua S. | LRL |
