Canadian-bred MOIRA, the 2022 Horse of the Year in Canada and the 2024 Eclipse Award-winning Turf Female, is out in a paddock in Australia on a winter holiday following her first run for new interests ‘down under’.
Sold for $4.3 million following her big win in the Breeders’ Cup Filly and Mare Turf at Del Mar last November, Moira made her first start in Australia in the Doncaster Mile on April 5 at Randwick, near Sydney. Sent off at 10-to-1, Moira and jockey Zac Purton were meeting a tough field in the one mile Grade 1, and when a modest pace developed up front, Moira’s stretch run was not as pronounced.
The daughter of Ghostzapper finished 14th, beaten 4.9 lengths to Stefi Magnetica.
Trained by Chris Waller, who has an impressive collection of turf fillies and mares in Australia including current star Via Sistina, Moira will be pointed to the Spring Carnival races that begin in August.
The breeding season in Australia is from September 1 through December.
Moira will be honoured with a Special Sovereign Award in one week’s time at the 50th Sovereign Awards, April 26.
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