Precise gave trainer Aidan O'Brien his first win in the seven-furlong Prestige Fillies' Stakes (G3) at Goodwood Racecourse Aug. 24, and earned herself an automatic starting position in the $1 million Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf (G1T) through the Breeders' Cup Challenge Series: Win and You're In.
The Breeders' Cup World Championships are scheduled to be held Oct. 31-Nov. 1 at Del Mar.
Owned by Derrick Smith, Susan Magnier, Michael B. Tabor, and Westerberg, the 2-year-old daughter of Starspangledbanner broke well from stall eight and travelled strongly throughout the race, beating the 13-8 favorite, Moon Target, by three-quarters of a length. The 5-2 shot recorded a winning time of 1:26.31 on ground that was officially rated good to firm.
Following the race, Wayne Lordan, this year's Epsom Derby (G1)-winning jockey and Ballydoyle's reliable second-string rider, said: "She's a very professional filly. She ran first at Fairyhouse where she learned plenty, then she stepped up to seven furlongs at Cork and won quite well. We always thought she'd win her maiden at six furlongs and then go up to seven furlongs, but as it happened, she won her maiden over the longer distance.
"She has pace and she gets this trip quite well. She was comfortable on the track, although, when I hit the front about a furlong out, she pricked one ear and I was hanging onto her a little bit which is always nice because it demonstrates she wasn't doing the full million.
"We always thought the seven would be a nice trip for her although she hit the line well so going up another furlong is an option for her."
While there was no mention of where the filly would run next, O'Brien, who became the joint-winning most trainer in Breeders' Cup history when Henri Matisse stormed to Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf (G1T) victory in 2024, has already won the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf twice—first in 2022 with Meditate, and again last year with Lake Victoria.
In second was Cheveley Park Stud's Moon Target, trained by Sir Mark Prescott. The daughter of Cracksman was a step slow away from the stalls and struggled to keep up with the pace throughout the race. Despite being off the bridle at least two-furlongs out, she managed to finish strongly in second, though posed no threat to the winner.
In third was another interesting prospect for the future in Al Shaqab Racing and Amo Racing's Aylin, who is trained by Karl Burke. Both the second and third showed signs they might prefer a longer trip on ground that with a little bit more juice.
As part of the benefits of the Challenge Series, Breeders' Cup will pay the entry fees for Precise to start in the $1 million Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf, which will be run at 1 mile. Breeders' Cup will also provide a travel allowance for all starters based outside of North America to compete in the World Championships.
This press release has been edited for content and style by BloodHorse Staff.
