Champion Unique Bella gets her first breeding assignment

Unique Bella, the champion female sprinter who also won in Grade 1 company around two turns as an older horse, has her first breeding assignment.

Darley announced Monday that in 2019 she'll pair with Medaglia d'Oro, producer of horses such as Elate, Bolt d'Oro and Talismanic.

Unique Bella, who's by Tapit, won four of her final five starts and appeared positioned for a big finish to her 4-year-old season. But it was announced following her July 29 win in the Clement L. Hirsch Stakes that the Jerry Hollendorfer trainee, campaigned by Don Alberto Stable, suffered an injury in a workout.

Due to a chipped sesamoid, Unique Bella was retired but did not require surgery.

In all, the flashy gray won nine of 12 career starts while earning $1.2 million. Don Alberto, which races and breeds, has maintained ownership for her post-race career.