Breeders' Cup Distaff: Is Malathaat done racing?

LEXINGTON, Ky. - While a tweet from her owner made it sound as though Malathaat would be retired from racing, and trainer Todd Pletcher anticipates that to happen, Pletcher said Sunday morning he has not yet received official confirmation.

Malathaat won a stirring renewal of the $2 million Breeders’ Cup Distaff on Saturday at Keeneland, getting her nose on the wire first over Blue Stripe, who was second by a nose over Clairiere.

“I’d be 99 percent sure that she’ll be retired, but before the race I asked that question and it was not for sure,” Pletcher said Sunday.

On Sunday morning, Sheikha Hissa, who took over Shadwell Stable - which owns Malathaat - following the passing of her father Sheikh Hamdan in 2021, wrote on Twitter “Leave it to Malathaat to end our season with a bang. What a way to bow out of the game. Thank you sweet girl for always running your heart out.”

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Pletcher said Malathaat came out of the Distaff in good order and was scheduled to head to Shadwell Farm for a physical that had previously been scheduled. Pletcher noted that Malathaat went to Shadwell following her 3-year-old campaign before returning to him in Florida for her 4-year-old season.

While Pletcher is awaiting official word, he reflected on Malathaat’s remarkable career, which included 10 wins from 14 starts, six Grade 1 stakes victories, $3,790,825 in earnings and likely two Eclipse Awards. She was the champion 3-year-old filly of 2021 and is expected to be voted champion older mare this year.

At 3, Malathaat won the Ashland, Kentucky Oaks and Alabama. At 4, she won the Personal Ensign, Spinster and Breeders’ Cup Distaff.

“Remarkable career,” Pletcher said. “Really, it’s been a lot of fun to have her in the barn. We loved her at the sale, and being a daughter of [Pletcher trainee] Dreaming of Julia made it extra special. She’s a very, very rare filly that’s very intelligent, a pleasure to be around, a pleasure to train, a pleasure to have in the barn and on top of that extremely talented.”

Pletcher said the Distaff was “a thrilling race for sure, and to come out on the right side of the photo was extra special.”

If Malathaat is retired, Pletcher will still have Nest to run in 2023. Though Nest finished a disappointing fourth in the Distaff, beaten 3 1/4 lengths, she is in line for an Eclipse Award in the 3-year-old filly division having won the Ashland, Coaching Club American Oaks, Alabama and Beldame and running second in the Belmont Stakes.

Pletcher said Nest, who was hampered by a wide trip in the Distaff, was to get a complete physical as well before heading likely to Ocala for a freshening. Pletcher said Nest’s early season target could be something like the Doubledogdare at Keeneland in April or the La Troienne in May at Churchill Downs. The year-end goal would be the Breeders’ Cup.

Blue Stripe, who came within a nose of upsetting Malathaat, was scheduled to be sold Sunday night at the Fasig-Tipton November sale, trainer Marcelo Polanco confirmed Sunday morning. It remains to be seen if she sells, who buys her and if she would be bought as a broodmare or racing prospect.

Clairiere, who was beaten two noses while finishing third in the Distaff, will race next year, according to owner Barbara Banke.

“Racing on,” Banke texted in response to a question about Clairiere’s future.

Clairiere is trained by Steve Asmussen, as is Society, the 3-year-old who finished seventh in the Distaff and who is expected to run at 4.

Clairiere, after defeating Malathaat in the Ogden Phipps and Shuvee, had vaulted to the top of the older female division before losses to Malathaat in the Grade 1 Personal Ensign and the Breeders’ Cup.

Secret Oath, the Kentucky Oaks winner who finished sixth in the Distaff, will also return for a 4-year-old campaign after being withdrawn from Sunday’s Fasig-Tipton sale by owners Robert and Stacy Mitchell of Briland Farm.

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