2018 Eclipse Awards: Sistercharlie

The setbacks that sidelined Sistercharlie in 2017 and 2018 gave owner Peter Brant a profound sense of appreciation moments after the $2 million Breeders’ Cup Filly and Mare Turf at Churchill Downs on Nov. 3.

Sistercharlie won her third consecutive Grade 1 race in the BC Filly and Mare Turf, holding off by a neck a sustained threat from Wild Illusion in the richest turf race for females in the United States. As a result of that victory and her exceptional campaign, Sistercharlie is among the finalists for the Eclipse Award as the nation’s outstanding turf female of 2018.

For Brant, who has owned horses for decades, the Breeders’ Cup win was his highlight in racing.

“This is the greatest win I’ve ever had,” he said. “This mare has had so much bad luck and she’s overcome it. She’s very special to me and very special to my family.”

Trained by Chad Brown, Sistercharlie was out of training with a lung infection through the fall and winter of 2017-18.

“We thought maybe she wouldn’t run again,” Brown reflected after the Breeders’ Cup win.

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

An Irish-bred, Sistercharlie arrived in the United States from France with a lofty reputation, having finished second in the Group 1 French Oaks in June 2017. She was second in the Grade 1 Belmont Oaks in July 2017 in her only American start that year.

After recovering from illness, Sistercharlie returned to racing in 2018 for the Grade 1 Jenny Wiley Stakes at 1 1/16 miles on turf at Keeneland in April. She won by 2 1/4 lengths over stablemate Fourstar Crook.

“Going shorter than she really wants to go, it was really impressive the turn of foot she showed,” Brown said after the Jenny Wiley. “She gives me the feeling she’ll be just as effective going longer.”

There was a collection of Grade 1 wins by the end of the year. After finishing second by a head to Fourstar Crook in the Grade 2 New York Stakes at Belmont Park on June 8, Sistercharlie won the Grade 1 Diana Stakes at Saratoga on July 21, the Grade 1 Beverly D. Stakes at Arlington Park on Aug. 11, and the BC Filly and Mare Turf in succession.

Sistercharlie missed a start in the Grade 1 Flower Bowl Invitational at Belmont Park on Oct. 7 because of a foot bruise. Instead, Brown prepared Sistercharlie for the BC Filly and Mare Turf without the benefit of an early autumn race.

Sistercharlie won at Churchill Downs on a “good” turf course that was not to her liking, Brown said.

“She really prefers firmer ground,” he said after the race. “For her to overcome that and run on ground that is not her favorite, and still have the heart and determination and the class to prevail, is just another remarkable feat of hers.”

Compared to what she had been through, a wet turf course was not a hindrance for Sistercharlie.