2018 Eclipse Awards: Monomoy Girl

Monomoy Girl was fairly unstoppable in 2018, with the only one who was able to defeat her being . . . herself.

The filly won 6 of 7 starts in 2018, with the only blip on her record a disqualification that cost her a perfect season. Monomoy Girl holds signature triumphs in the Kentucky Oaks and Breeders’ Cup Distaff and is now an Eclipse Award finalist as leading 3-year-old filly.

“She is a special filly, one of a kind, an unbelievable filly,” trainer Brad Cox said.

Monomoy Girl won her first three starts, including the Rags to Riches Stakes, before finishing second, beaten a neck, in the Grade 2 Golden Rod Stakes after lugging in and out in the final stages.

:: 2018 Eclipse Finalists: Profiles and photos for all categories

Monomoy Girl, under regular rider Florent Geroux, opened 2018 with a 2 1/2-length victory in the Grade 2 Rachel Alexandra at Fair Grounds, despite being taken out of her usual running style, rallying from last after hitting the gate at the break. She controlled the tempo in the Grade 1 Ashland Stakes at Keeneland, rolling by 5 1/2 lengths to stamp herself as a favorite for the Kentucky Oaks, in which she met West Coast standout Midnight Bisou for the first time.

Monomoy Girl, who broke from the outside post in a strong field of 14, outdueled Wonder Gadot – subsequently a dual Canadian classic winner – to win by a half-length on the first Friday in May, surviving a jockey’s objection after she came out slightly in the lane. Midnight Bisou was third.

There was no controversy in Monomoy Girl’s next two outings, both in New York, as she coasted by two lengths in the Grade 1 Acorn Stakes at Belmont and by three in the Grade 1 Coaching Club American Oaks at Saratoga over Midnight Bisou. But then, her tendency to drift in the lane once clear caught up with her in the Grade 1 Cotillion Stakes at Parx Racing. She gamely fought off Midnight Bisou to cross the line a neck in front, but was disqualified and placed second for interference with her rival.

Thus, the stage was set for the Breeders’ Cup Distaff at Churchill Downs. Monomoy Girl again drew the outside post in a strong field of 11 that included six Grade 1 winners, led by 2017 Kentucky Oaks winner and Eclipse Award champion Abel Tasman. Midnight Bisou and Wonder Gadot also were back for more. This time, Monomoy Girl held her course straight and true, seizing the lead into the stretch and holding off Chilean champion Wow Cat by a length, with Midnight Bisou third.

Monomoy Girl became the fourth Kentucky Oaks winner to take the Distaff, and the third to do so in the same year. For Cox, she has been a breakout horse, giving him his first Grade 1 victory and then putting his barn in the national limelight.

“She went straight today, more focused than she’s been,” Cox said after the Breeders’ Cup. “A phenomenal effort.”

Monomoy Girl was bred by Brendan and Olive Gallagher’s Frankfort Park Farm and the Highfield Ranch of Michael Hernon of Gainesway, which stands her sire, Tapizar. She is out of the Henny Hughes mare Drumette. Monomoy Girl was sold for $100,000 at the Keeneland September yearling sale.

Monomoy Girl, who races for Michael Dubb, Sol Kumin’s Monomoy Stables, Stuart Grant’s Elkstone Group, and Bethlehem Stables, is on a break in Florida before gearing up for 2019.