After winning the TVG Breeders’ Cup Mile (gr. IT) in 2008, Wertheimer and Frere’s homebred Goldikova finished second in Eclipse Award balloting to champion turf female Forever Together.
Both distaffers remained in training for 2009, and this time Goldikova’s repeat win over males in the Mile put her over the top to a divisional championship.
In 2009 Eclipse Award voting, Goldikova was given the nod over two Juddmonte Farms standouts—Midday and Ventura. Midday won the Emirates Airline Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Turf (gr. IT) in her only U.S. start of 2009 and also won the Blue Square Nassau Stakes (Eng-I). With three wins and three runner-up efforts from six starts, Ventura triumphed in the Santa Monica Handicap and Matriarch Stakes, both grade I, and the Woodbine Mile (Can-I).
| 2009 Eclipse Awards | |||
 View Slideshow of this year's Champions. |
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Unplaced in her seasonal debut at Longchamp in May, Goldikova returned to the winner’s circle in the group I Etihad Airways Falmouth Stakes at Newmarket July 8. Returned to France, the Irish-bred daughter of Anabaa reeled off two impressive group I victories over the course of two weeks at Deauville. After winning the Aug. 2 Prix Rothschild, Goldikova romped to a six-length triumph in the Prix du Haras de Fresnay-le-Buffard Jacques le Marois Aug. 16. Following a close-up third in the group I Prix de la Foret, Goldikova returned to the U.S. and defended her Mile title. Ridden by regular rider Olivier Peslier, the filly unleashed a late burst to get up for a half-length victory.
Goldikova followed in the footsteps of the great mare Miesque as a two-time female winner of the Mile, a feat also accomplished by a pair of males. Coincidentally, Freddy Head, who trains Goldikova, was the rider of Miesque. In addition to her Eclipse, Goldikova was also ranked second, behind Sea The Stars, in the 2009 World Thoroughbred Rankings.
Goldikova remains in training for 2010, with a BC Mile hat trick the goal.
First-place vote totals: Goldikova, 172; Ventura, 41; Magical Fantasy, 7; Midday, 7; Pure Clan, 3; Forever Together, 1.
