Close Hatches Profile, News, Entries, Results, Video, and Blogs

List of Eclipse Award Winners, Votes

By Blood-Horse Staff
January 19, 2015
Racing

Here is a complete list of the 2014 Eclipse Award winners, as voted on and presented by the National Thoroughbred Racing Association/Equibase, Daily Racing Form, and National Turf Writers Association.

Juddmonte's Close Hatches is Top Older Female

By Tom LaMarra
January 17, 2015
Racing

Though her 2014 campaign didn't end the way her connections had hoped, Close Hatches put together a strong enough resume to capture the Eclipse Award as champion older female.

Nod Goes to BC Classic as Year's Top Race

By Frank Angst
December 5, 2014
Racing

This year's Breeders' Cup Classic (gr. I) had it all: a close finish, a thrilling run through the stretch, and a lingering controversy. read blog

Juddmonte Announces 2015 Fees

By Blood-Horse Staff
November 3, 2014
Breeding, Kentucky

Juddmonte Farms announced their stud fees for the 2015 breeding season for their North American stallion Mizzen Mast and First Defence.

Untapable Powers to Breeders' Cup Distaff Win

Untapable put the finishing touches on her 3-year-old filly championship campaign when she won the $2 million Longines Breeders' Cup Distaff (gr. I) in a driving finish Oct. 31 at Santa Anita Park.

TimeformUS Breeders' Cup Preview: Distaff

October 30, 2014
Handicapping, Breeders' Cup

TimeformUS Breeders' Cup Preview: Can Close Hatches revert to form in the Distaff? read blog

Haskin Friday Longshot Plays

By Steve Haskin
October 30, 2014

Let's start by saying that this year's Breeders' Cup is one of the toughest to handicap in many years, with deep, wide-open fields, none of which, except perhaps one, have a clear-cut favorite that stands far above the others read blog

Breeders' Cup Friday Selections

October 30, 2014
Handicapping

J. Keeler Johnson handicaps the Breeders' Cup Friday races. read blog

Close Hatches Could Restore Order in Distaff

If Close Hatches can return to her top form, the outcome of the race could end with the familiar sight of trainer Bill Mott entering the winner's circle.

Mott's BC Fillies are Close to His Heart

October 23, 2014
Racing, Breeders' Cup, West Region

Although the Hall of Fame trainer is closely associated with the legendary Cigar, he has always had that 'je ne sais quoi' with the fillies, including Breeders' Cup contenders Emollient and Close Hatches.

Breeders' Cup Features 201 Pre-Entered Horses

The Breeders' Cup unveiled its pre-entrants for the 31st World Championships the morning of Oct. 22 at Santa Anita Park, with 201 horses named for the 13-race festival Friday and Saturday, Oct. 31 and Nov. 1.

Close Hatches, Untapable Take Aim at Distaff

After finishing fourth as the favorite in the Spinster Stakes (gr. I) at Keeneland, Juddmonte Farms' Close Hatches will try to bounce back in the $2 million Longines Breeders' Cup Distaff Nov. 1 at Santa Anita Park.

Belle Gallantey Connections Consider Distaff

By Frank Angst
October 10, 2014
Racing, Breeders' Cup, Northeast Region, West Region

In a movie, Belle Gallantey's rags to riches 2014 season would end with a victory in the $2 million Breeders' Cup Distaff (gr. I), but in real life her connections are taking time before committing to the race.

Don't Tell Sophia to Work at Keeneland for BC

Juddmonte Spinster Stakes (gr. I) winner Don't Tell Sophia will prepare at Keeneland for her planned start in the Breeders' Cup Distaff (gr. I).

Don't Tell Sophia Last to First in Spinster

By Jack Shinar
October 5, 2014
Racing, Breeders' Cup, Kentucky

Don't Tell Sophia, last rounding the far turn, roared down the stretch to register her first grade I victory in the Juddmonte Spinster Stakes Oct. 5 on the Keeneland main track as overwhelming favorite Close Hatches fizzled.

Close Hatches Tops Compact Spinster Field

Juddmonte Farms' Close Hatches, undefeated in four races in 2014, headlines a compact field of six fillies and mares entered for the $500,000 Juddmonte Spinster (gr. I) Oct. 5 at Keeneland.

New Meet, New Racing Surface

By Tom LaMarra
October 1, 2014
Breeders' Cup

Keeneland will begin its fall meet Oct. 3 with return to dirt racing. read blog

Slideshow: Princess of Sylmar

September 24, 2014

Relive moments from the racing career of Princess of Sylmar. view slideshow

The Week in Photos for 8/26/2014

August 26, 2014

Saratoga, Wise Dan, Del Mar, Monmouth Park, Hastings, Woodbine, Europe & More! view slideshow

Close Hatches Dominates Personal Ensign

Close Hatches took command on the opening turn and never looked back in the $500,0000 Personal Ensign Stakes (gr. I), romping over a muddy track at Saratoga Race Course Aug. 22 for her third grade I triumph in a row.

Close Hatches Bids for Perfection at Saratoga

Close Hatches puts a three-race win streak on the line against six rivals Aug. 22 in the $500,000 Personal Ensign Invitational (gr. I) at Saratoga Race Course.

After the Wire: Belmont Stakes 146

June 8, 2014
Triple Crown

J. Keeler Johnson takes a look at the Belmont Stakes and also reflects on several undercard races for this week's After the Wire. watch video

Slideshow: 2014 Belmont Stakes Day Sights

June 8, 2014

People, horses, and scenes that make Belmont Stakes Day unique. View Slideshow

Versatile Close Hatches Claims Ogden Phipps

By Claire Novak
June 7, 2014
Racing, Breeders' Cup, Northeast Region, West Region

Close Hatches turned back Princess of Sylmar and picked up the pieces when Beholder finished fourth in the June 7 Ogden Phipps Stakes (gr. I) at Belmont Park.

Belmont Mega-Day Shines Along With 'Chrome'

NYRA unveils the first in its mega-day strategy June 7 when it moves races like the Met Mile, Ogden Phipps, Acorn, and Brooklyn to Belmont Stakes day in an effort to ramp up interest, quality, and handle.

Beholder Makes Eastward Trek for Ogden Phipps

A sporting gesture put two-time champion Beholder on a plane to Belmont Park last week for the brewing rematch between her and 2013 Kentucky Oaks (gr. I) winner Princess of Sylmar in the $1 million Ogden Phipps (gr. I).

Beholder, Close Hatches Work for Ogden Phipps

Belmont Stakes (gr. I) contenders weren't the only ones catching attention June 2 at Belmont Park. Champion filly Beholder and rival Close Hatches both turned in final pre-race preparations for the Ogden Phipps (gr. I).

Belmont Stakes News Update for June 2, 2014

By Claire Novak
June 2, 2014
Triple Crown

Claire Novak reports from Belmont Park on Social Inclusion possibly running in the Woody Stevens, California Chrome, Kid Cruz, Beholder and Close Hatches. watch video

Fields Taking Shape for Belmont Day Undercard

A list of likely starters for the five grade I events on the Belmont Stakes day undercard June 7 has been released by the track's racing office, headed by the $1.25 million Metropolitan Handicap.

Close Hatches Secures Apple Blossom Victory

By Claire Novak
April 11, 2014
Racing, Southwest Region

Defeating four older fillies and mares, Juddmonte Farms' Close Hatches secured her third grade I with a front-running performance in the $588,000 Apple Blossom Handicap (gr. I) April 11 at Oaklawn Park.

Close Hatches Heads Compact Apple Blossom

By Myra Lewyn
April 8, 2014
Racing, Southwest Region

Close Hatches will try to add a third top-level victory to her resume in the $600,000 Apple Blossom Handicap (gr. I), in which she meets four opponents, including last year's winner On Fire Baby, April 11 at Oaklawn Park.

Close Hatches Proves Class in Azeri Stakes

By Claire Novak
March 15, 2014
Racing, Southwest Region

Favored at odds of 3-5 and making her first start of the season, Juddmonte's 4-year-old First Defence filly galloped wire to wire in the 1 1/16-mile test, taking rider Joel Rosario straight to the winner's circle March 15.

Azeri: Don't Tell Sophia Faces Close Hatches

By Claire Novak
March 12, 2014
Racing, Southwest Region

Don't Tell Sophia has sailed through the early part of 2014, but faces a stout test March 15 in the $200,000 Azeri Stakes (gr. II) against multiple grade I winner Close Hatches, On Fire Baby, and Flashy American.

Beholder's Cup Win Earned Eclipse

By Tracy Gantz
January 18, 2014
Racing, West Region

Beholder's smashing victory in the Breeders' Cup Distaff (gr. I) ensured her a second consecutive Eclipse Award. She was voted champion 3-year-old filly of 2013 over finalists Princess of Sylmar and Close Hatches.

3-Year-Old Filly Division Balanced in 2013

By Tracy Gantz
January 14, 2014
Racing

Perhaps no Eclipse Award category overflowed with more talent than among the 3-year-old fillies of 2013. They performed admirably against each other and then went out and defeated the best of their older counterparts.

Beholder Trumps Delta, Princess in Distaff

Smooth as silk under jockey Gary Stevens, Beholder vanquished both two-time champion Royal Delta and Princess of Sylmar while rolling to an open-lengths victory in the $2 million Breeders' Cup Distaff (gr. I) Nov. 1.

Breeders' Cup News Minute - 10/30/2013

By Lenny Shulman
October 30, 2013
Breeders' Cup

Lenny Shulman updates the news of the day including track work by Royal Delta, Close Hatches, and Mucho Macho Man. watch video

Royal Delta, Close Hatches Take to SA Oval

Hall of Fame trainer Bill Mott oversaw Breeders' Cup Distaff (gr. I) contenders Royal Delta and Close Hatches as they stretched their legs at Santa Anita on Oct. 29 after arriving from New York the day before.

Stellar Field of Six in Breeders' Cup Distaff

The Breeders' Cup Distaff (gr. I) may only have a field of six, but they have created perhaps the most riveting puzzle in the entire series this year.

Mott Pleased With Royal Delta, Close Hatches

By Tracy Gantz
October 26, 2013
Racing, Breeders' Cup, Northeast Region, West Region

Trainer Bill Mott said he was happy with the final works by Royal Delta and Close Hatches at Belmont Park Oct. 26 before they head to California for the Breeders' Cup Distaff (gr. I).

Royal Delta Heads Mott's BC Works at Belmont

Led by champion Royal Delta and Breeders' Cup Classic (gr. I) contender Ron the Greek, horses conditioned by Hall of Fame trainer Bill Mott got in their Belmont Park works Oct. 19 in advance of the Nov. 1-2 Breeders' Cup.

Haskin: Random Breeders' Cup Thoughts

By Steve Haskin
October 11, 2013

Steve offers some early thoughts on the Breeders' Cup. read blog

Second Straight Grade I Win for Close Hatches

By Frank Angst
September 21, 2013
Racing, Northeast Region

Close Hatches secured a second straight grade I victory Sept. 21 when she passed Test Stakes (gr. I) winner Sweet Lulu turning for home and held off all challengers in the $1 million Cotillion Stakes (gr. I).

Philly Showdown for Sweet Lulu, Close Hatches

By Frank Angst
September 16, 2013
Racing, Northeast Region

Grade I winners Sweet Lulu and Close Hatches will meet on the track for the first time when an accomplished group of 3-year-old fillies starts in the $1 million Cotillion Stakes (gr. I) Sept. 21 at Parx Racing.

Close Hatches Makes First Defence

By Alan Porter
July 5, 2013
Breeding

PORTER ON PEDIGREES, by Alan Porter
Leading commercial sire Unbridled's Song is still looking for his true heir as a stallion, and he may have found it in First Defence.

Trainer	William I. Mott
Jockey	Joel Rosario
Owner	Juddmonte Farms, Inc.
Breeder	Millsec, Ltd.

Close Hatches View Five-Cross Pedigree	First Defence	Unbridled's Song
		Honest Lady
	Rising Tornado	Storm Cat
		Silver Star (GB)

Close Hatches

Connections

Pedigree

Auction History

Search Horses

Trending Horses

News Sections

Search By Date

Regional News

Inside Triple Crown

2015 Triple Crown Races

Triple Crown History

Inside Racing

Leaders By Earnings

Search Race Results

Inside Breeding

North American Sire Lists

State & Regional Sire Lists

Related Sites

North American Sire Lists

State & Regional Sire Lists

Int'l Sire Lists

Sale Averages

Worldwide Leaders

N. American Leaders

Inside Sales

Hip-by-Hip Results

Leading Sires

Leading People

Related Sites

Inside International

International Sire Lists

Search International Race Results

Find Horses

2015 Leaders by Earnings

Trending Horses

Recent Stakes Winners

Blog Stable

Commentary

Racing & Handicapping

Business

Corporate

Our Shows

Video & Audio

Search Race Video

Photos

Special Features

Reports

Featured Reports

Resources

Calendars

Subscribe

Shop