Sistercharlie nabs Wild Illusion in Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Turf

Trainer Chad Brown is now the leading trainer of the $2 million Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Turf wins. Sistercharlie ran down Wild Illusion Saturday at Churchill Downs to give Brown his fourth victory in the race.

It was also the first Breeders’ Cup win in 30 years for owner Peter Brant, who returned to the sport in the past few years with Brown. Brant won the 1988 Breeders’ Cup Sprint with Gulch at Churchill Downs.

“I’ve been very fortunate and I’m just happy to be back,” Brant said, who left horse racing in 1994. “And I guess comparing this win, I mean this is the greatest win I’ve ever had. This mare has had so much bad luck and she’s overcome it and she is out there today and she hasn’t always been able to make the schedule because of weather or because of a spider bite or because of a fever that she had. She had a bout of pneumonia earlier. And she’s just overcome everything and she’s very special, very special to me and very special to my family and I’m sure very special to Chad.”

Brown added that during Sistercharlie’s bout of pneumonia in 2017 placed her in the clinic and it became about saving her life versus racing again. The 4-year-old daughter of Myboycharlie is now looking at another campaign in 2019.

Sistercharlie has earned her spot as the top older female turf horse in the U.S. The Breeders’ Cup was her fourth Grade 1 win this year in addition to the Jenny Wiley, the Diana and the Beverly D.

The Irish-bred import, was the second choice behind Prix de l’Opera (G1) winner Wild Illusion, who caused trouble behind the starting gate. Wild Illusion backed up repeatedly and kicked before finally loading blindfolded. 

Despite the act, Wild Illusion was close to the front behind A Raving Beauty, Magic Wand and Princess Yaiza. A Raving Beauty, also trained by Brown, led the field through fractions of 26.20, 51.81, 1:18.56 and 1:43.98. She ran strong turning for home, but Wild Illusion had more left in the tank. Sistercharlie, who was mid-pack in the full 14-horse field, flew down the outside to get up in time.

Brown credited jockey John Velazquez for helping Sistercharlie show off her talent.

“He showed once again why he’s one of the all-time great riders. And he was aboard one of the greatest fillies that I’ve trained, for sure, up to this point,” the trainer said. “And I just want to say that she ranks way up there, especially in terms of her heart. This horse, when you watch the replay, she really lunges at the wire, I don’t think like any horse I’ve ever seen. She knows exactly where the wire is and if she’s anywhere close to that lead near the wire she’s going to win.”

The final time for the 1 3/8 miles was 2:20.96 over “good” turf. Wild Illusion was a game second over A Raving Beauty and Magic Wand.