The story of Maryfield’s rise from the claiming ranks to grade I winner at Saratoga, to Breeders’ Cup winner, and finally to Eclipse Award champion of the inaugural female sprinter award reads like something straight from a Hollywood script.
But the tale of the daughter of Elusive Quality , out of the stakes-placed Desert Wine mare Sly Maid, wasn’t dreamed up by a group of writers sitting around a table trying to create the next feel-good movie of the year. The story of Maryfield is 100% non-fiction and was played out at racetracks from Southern California to Monmouth Park during 2007.
Trained by Doug O’Neill, Maryfield raced for the partnership of Nick Mestrandrea, whose nom du course is Empire Stables, Mark Verge, Mark Gorman, and James Perry. Maryfield finished 2007 with three wins from eight starts and earnings of $896,330. Her lifetime record is 9-5-1 from 28 career starts. She has earned $1,334,331.
She was retired from racing following her half-length win Oct. 26 in the inaugural Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Sprint over the sloppy track, which she is known to prefer, at Monmouth Park.
In addition to winning the Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Sprint, Maryfield also won the Ballerina Stakes (gr. I) at Saratoga and the Distaff Breeders’ Cup Handicap (gr. II) at Aqueduct to highlight her 2007 race record.
Maryfield was purchased by the Southern Equine Stables of Michael Moreno and trainer Eric Guillot for $1.25 million at the 2007 Fasig-Tipton Kentucky November select mixed sale from the consignment of Taylor Made Sales Agency, agent. Maryfield is set to begin a second career as a broodmare.