Speedway Stables announced April 9 that its undefeated grade 1 winner Cavalieri will be retired from racing.
Cavalieri, a 5-year-old daughter of leading sire Nyquist , last raced when winning the Zenyatta Stakes (G2) last September at Santa Anita Park.
Cavalieri missed a start in last year's Breeders' Cup Distaff (G1), where she was considered one of the top contenders, because of a minor injury. According to Equibase, the mare had not recorded any works since before her Zenyatta victory.
"She was a perfect 5-for-5, an amazing talent and an alpha female, who thrilled us each and every time she waltzed past her competition," said Peter Fluor of Speedway Stables.
"In light of the fact she has nothing more to prove race-wise, it was considered appropriate timing to breed her. It has been a pleasure to be part of her journey, and we want to thank everyone associated with her, notably Bob Baffert, who trained her to the minute, that contributed to her tremendous success."
John Sikura's Hill 'n' Dale Farm has purchased a majority interest in the mare.
"We are always seeking to purchase elite broodmares to elevate our band, and Cavalieri was a wonderful racemare, an undefeated grade 1 winner by leading sire Nyquist," Sikura said.
"She is a supreme physical who was never challenged on the racetrack. These types of mares are rare, and I appreciate Speedway Stables selling us a majority interest and becoming our partners. They are such a high-class operation, and will retain an interest in her breeding career. We will decide mating plans shortly."
Cavalieri broke her maiden on debut at Del Mar, quickly climbing the ranks, earning her first graded stakes victory as a 4-year-old in the La Canada Stakes (G3). The pinnacle of her career came two months later when she notched a grade 1 victory in the Beholder Mile (G1).
Video: B. Wayne Hughes Beholder Mile S. presented by FanDuel TV (G1)
She retires with five wins from five starts and career earnings of $438,000. The mare was bred in Kentucky by Alastar Thoroughbred Co. and is out of the graded stakes-placed/producing Stephen Got Even mare Stiffed.
Cavalieri was purchased by Speedway Stables for $900,000 as a 2-year-old at the 2023 Ocala Breeders' Sales Spring Sale of 2-Year-Olds in Training after breezing a quarter-mile in :20 2/5 during the under-tack show for Ciaran Dunne's Wavertree Stables. Prior to that, she was purchased by Redwings Enterprises as a yearling for $170,000 at the 2022 Keeneland September Yearling Sale.
