Filly Warm Heart used an impressive stretch along the rail on Jan. 27 to become the first filly to win the $1 million Pegasus World Cup Turf Invitational (G1) at Gulfstream Park, setting a track record in the process.
The win for Warm Heart, a 4-year-old daughter of Galileo, ended the filly's career with a record of 6-2-1 in 10 starts. The Coolmore-bred bay out of Sea Siren, campaigned by Coolmore-affiliated owners Susan Magnier, Michael Tabor, Derrick Smith and Westerberg, also made Aidan O'Brien the first European trainer to win the prestigious race in its six-year history in Gulfstream Park Turf.
Warm Heart (IRE)b, 4/f
Galileo (IRE) – Sea Siren (AUS), by Fastnet Rock (AUS)
owner: Ms. John Magnier, Michael B. Tabor, Derrick Smith and Westerberg
breeder: COOLMORE (IRE)
Trainer: Aidan P. O'Brien
jockey: Ryan L. Moore
Information provided by Equibase at the time of registration.
“She'll retire, retire when she's done her best,” said Charlie O'Connor, sales manager for Coolmore America. “Maybe a little date with Justify or something.”
Longines' reigning world top jockey Ryan Moore delivered a move worthy of the title as he and the daughter of Galileo found space on the inside near the eighth pole to squeeze through and en route to victory to take leadership. O'Brien, who was not at the race, praised jockey Ryan Moore for his winning ride.
“We’re absolutely thrilled,” O’Brien said. “It's incredible. Ryan obviously drove them incredibly and everyone did such an incredible job. We're just happy for everyone and it's so exciting that she's going to Justify now. She was absolutely made for him.”
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Repole Stable's Jerry the Nipper, ridden by Jose Ortiz, stormed to the lead after breaking out from the No. 2 position. Harrell Ventures' Main Event, from 11th in the 12-horse field, hastily passed Jerry the Nipper and took the lead. Bernardini's 5-year-old son then set fractions of :23.47, :46.86, 1:09.55 and 1.32.88. Warm Heart placed third behind Jerry the Nipper.
“She performed smartly and was able to put herself in that position,” Moore said of Warm Heart. “I was always happy.”
The main event headed into the home straight where Warm Heart, having made the turn, passed on the inside a furlong from the finish. Team Hanley, Richard Schermerhorn and Paul Braverman's I'm Very Busy and Susan and John Moore's Catnip overtook the main event on the outside of the former leader.
“I was happy to wait,” Moore said. “The leader was always on guard and getting weaker and weaker, and I knew I had enough horses.”
Warm Heart finished half a length ahead of I'm Very Busy at 14-1 and jockey Irad Ortiz Jr. and posted a winning time of 1:44.45 on firm turf, breaking the English Channel's 17-year-old course record for 1 1/8 mile. The English Channel ran 1:44.51 on February 22, 2007.
Warm Heart paid $6.80, $4.40 and $3.80.
Photo: Coglianese Photos/Ryan Thompson
Warm Heart reaches the finish at Pegasus Turf at Gulfstream Park at full speed
Catnip, who started from outside at 45-1 under Frankie Dettori, finished a neck behind the Chad Brown-trained I'm Very Busy to take third place. Catnip is trained by Michael Stidham.
“Perfect trip, what can I say,” said Ortiz Jr. “Ryan is a master at what he does and he is a champion.”
Three Diamonds Farm's Atone, who won the race last year, finished fourth. The 7-year-old gelding, trained by Mike Maker, followed Warm Heart up the rail with jockey Oisin Murphy. Integration of West Point Thoroughbreds and Woodford Racing, the 6-5 favorite with jockey Tyler Gaffalione, finished fifth.
Warm Heart placed third in the Longines Hong Kong Vase (G1) on December 10th and a close second to Inspiral in the Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Turf (G1) on November 4th at Santa Anita.
“I thought she was in a good spot, but I wasn't worried because when you have Ryan Moore on board, he'll find it,” O'Connor said. “He'll find the gap and get up the rail beautifully, just like he did in the Breeders' Cup.”
Warm Heart ends her career with victories at the highest level in three different countries. In addition to Saturday's victory, Warm Heart also won the Prix Vermeille at Longchamp in France and the Yorkshire Oaks in York in Britain last year.
Photo: Coglianese Photos/Lauren King
Warm Heart heads into the winner's circle after their third win at the highest level
“She showed everything. She’s tough, she’s durable, she travels, she’s healthy,” O’Brien said. “I don’t think you can ask for more from a filly. She's strong, she can handle all types of terrain, she's tactical and she's tough. We're happy for everyone. We feel very privileged to be part of their story.”
Warm Heart's Irish-bred dam, Sea Siren, is an Australian-bred daughter of Fastnet Rock, who won three Group 1 races in Australia. Four of their five starters are winners, including Group 3 placed Celestial Object.