2019/11/01 13:37
Nov. 5 & 6 | Del Mar
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HALL OF CHAMPIONS

Beholder

  • Jockey
    Gary Stevens
  • Trainer
    Richard Mandella
  • Owner
    Spendthrift Farm LLC
  • Breeder
    Clarkland Farm
  • Sire
    Henny Hughes
  • Dam
    Leslie's Lady

In 2016, in her final race, the 6-year-old mare Beholder became just the second horse to win three Breeders’ Cup races, going out with a flourish by capturing the $2 million Longines Breeders’ Cup Distaff, winning by a nose over previously unbeaten 3-year-old filly Songbird at Santa Anita Park. Beholder, a Kentucky-bred daughter of Henny Hughes, owned by Spendthrift Farm and trained by Richard Mandella, had won the Juvenile Fillies in 2012 and the Distaff in 2013, but injury and illness forced her to miss the Breeders’ Cup the next two years. In 2015, she spiked a fever the week of the event at Keeneland, where she was scheduled to face off against Triple Crown winner American Pharoah in the Breeders’ Cup Classic. Beholder began her 2016 by winning the Vanity Handicap at Santa Anita on June 4 by 1 ½ lengths over the champion 3-year-old filly of 2015 Stellar Wind, who finished second by a neck in the 2015 Distaff.

But a budding rivalry was developing between these two, and at Del Mar on July 30, the 4-year-old Stellar Wind turned the tables on Beholder to win the Clement Hirsch by a half-length. Undeterred, Mandella set his sights for Beholder to defend her title in the $1 million TVG Pacific Classic. She gave a good account of herself, but was no match for California Chrome, finishing second by five lengths in a dominant performance by the winner. Now targeted for the Longines Distaff, Beholder once again battled Stellar Wind in a thrilling Zenyatta Stakes at Santa Anita on October 1. Stellar Wind prevailed again by neck. The 2016 Longines Distaff comprised one of its deepest fields yet. In addition to Stellar Wind, the field included Songbird, the 14 Hands Winery Juvenile Fillies winner of 2015, who had not lost in 11 career starts, and Grade 1 winners I’m a Chatter Box, Curalina, and Forever Unbridled. With Gary Stevens aboard,

Beholder stayed near the pace set by Songbird through the first six furlongs of the 1 1/8-mile race. Then at the quarter-pole Stevens moved Beholder past I’m a Chatterbox and the battle of champions was fully engaged down the stretch with the Santa Anita crown on their feet and roaring. At the wire, Beholder had her nose in front of Songbird for victory. “It’s probably the most emotional race of my career because she’s so special to me and it’s her last race," said Stevens. “She gave me absolutely everything. I have a new respect for Songbird even in defeat. Beholder, even in the past, has never given me everything like she gave me today.” Said Mandella, “I made the statement that they better have their running shoes on to beat her. Then I kind of kicked myself for saying it. But it turned out I was right. She's just a great horse.” Beholder tied Goldivoka (IRE), who won three consecutive Breeders’ Cup Miles, with most career Breeders’ Cup wins. She finished with 18 wins in 26 starts and $6,156,600 in career earnings. Following the Breeders’ Cup, Beholder was retired to Spendthrift Farm to begin a new career as a broodmare.

Breeders’ Cup Record
2016 Longines Distaff
$ 3,280,000

Breeders’ Cup Earnings

3 Starts
0 Places
3 Wins
0 Shows
2013 Distaff
2012 Grey Goose Juvenile Fillies
Lifetime Stats

Lifetime

26 Starts 18 Wins 6 Place 0 Show

$6,156,600 Earnings

2016

6 Starts 3 Wins 3 Place 0 Show

$1,720,000 Earnings

2015

5 Starts 5 Wins 0 Place 0 Show

$1,068,300 Earnings

2014

3 Starts 2 Wins 0 Place 0 Show

$293,300 Earnings

Previous Races

2016
2015
2014
2013
2012
ReplayDateRaceTrackGradeFinish
November 04, 2016Longines Breeders' Cup DistaffSANTA ANITA PARK11
October 01, 2016Zenyatta S.SANTA ANITA PARK12
August 20, 2016$1 Million TVG Pacific Classic S.DEL MAR12
July 30, 2016Clement L. Hirsch S.DEL MAR12
June 04, 2016Vanity Mile S.SANTA ANITA PARK11
May 08, 2016Adoration S.SANTA ANITA PARK31
ReplayDateRaceTrackGradeFinish
September 26, 2015Zenyatta S.SANTA ANITA PARK11
August 22, 2015$1 Million TVG Pacific Classic S.DEL MAR11
August 01, 2015Clement L. Hirsch S.DEL MAR11
June 13, 2015Adoration S.SANTA ANITA PARK31
April 10, 2015Santa Lucia S.SANTA ANITA PARK 1
ReplayDateRaceTrackGradeFinish
September 27, 2014Zenyatta S.SANTA ANITA PARK11
June 07, 2014Ogden Phipps S.BELMONT PARK14
April 20, 2014Santa Lucia S.SANTA ANITA PARK 1
ReplayDateRaceTrackGradeFinish
November 01, 2013Breeders' Cup DistaffSANTA ANITA PARK11
September 28, 2013Zenyatta S.SANTA ANITA PARK11
September 01, 2013Torrey Pines S.DEL MAR 1
May 03, 2013Longines Kentucky OaksCHURCHILL DOWNS12
April 06, 2013Santa Anita OaksSANTA ANITA PARK11
March 02, 2013Las Virgenes S.SANTA ANITA PARK11
January 21, 2013Santa Ynez S.SANTA ANITA PARK22
ReplayDateRaceTrackGradeFinish
November 02, 2012Grey Goose Breeders' Cup Juvenile FilliesSANTA ANITA PARK11
October 04, 2012 SANTA ANITA PARK 1
September 01, 2012Del Mar Debutante S.DEL MAR12
July 22, 2012 DEL MAR 1
June 28, 2012 BETFAIR HOLLYWOOD PARK 4
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