Moonlight Cloud unleashed an astounding burst of speed from last and wore down pacesetter Gordon Lord Byron to capture the Qatar Prix de la Foret (Fr-I) by three lengths Oct. 6 at Longchamp.
After guiding Treve to a five-length win over males in the Qatar Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe (Fr-I) earlier on the card, jockey Thierry Jarnet pulled off another masterful performance over males with a 5-year-old mare as Moonlight Cloud swept past 10 overmatched rivals for the brilliant victory.
Gordon Lord Byron hung on for second, a short neck in front of Garswood.
The 4-5 favorite, Moonlight Cloud won for the fourth time in as many starts this season. She tallied her third group I win of the year following back-to-back victories in the LARC Prix Maurice de Gheest (Fr-I) Aug. 4 at Deauville and Prix du Haras de Fresnay-Le-Buffard - Jacques Le Marois (Fr-I).
Moonlight Cloud won in 1:14.08 for 1,400 meters (about seven furlongs) and took her overall record to 12 wins, including six group I racess, and two seconds from 19 career starts.
An Invincible Spirit filly, Moonlight Cloud qualified for the $2 million Breeders' Cup Mile (gr. I) Nov. 2 at Santa Anita Park. The Foret is a Breeders' Cup Challenge "Win and You're In" event. She finished eighth behind Wise Dan in last year's race.
Freddie Head trains Moonlight Cloud for Pennsylvania-based owner George Strawbridge Jr., who bred her in Great Britain out of the stakes-placed Spectrum mare Ventura.
Moonlight Cloud is a half sister to Hollywood Park course record-setter Cedar Mountain, who is grade II-placed. Her second dam, Wedding Bouquet, a group III winner in Ireland who was group I-placed, is a half sister to Irish champion, classic winner, and sire Generous and English classic winner Imagine.
