Last year’s champion older female and Breeders’ Cup Distaff winner, Idiomatic, is being trained for a potential season start in the GI La Troienne S. on the Kentucky Oaks undercard, following her successful campaign last season and a strategic break, with her connections optimistic about her performance and future races.
‣ Last year’s champion older female and GI Breeders’ Cup Distaff winner, Idiomatic, is being prepared for a 5-year-old campaign, potentially starting in the GI La Troienne S. on the Kentucky Oaks undercard on May 3.
‣ Idiomatic, a Juddmonte homebred trained by Brad Cox, has shown remarkable improvement, winning eight of nine starts last season, including prestigious races such as the GI Juddmonte Spinster S. and the GI Personal Ensign S., contributing to her career earnings of $2,456,840.
‣ The decision to continue racing Idiomatic into her 5-year-old year reflects Juddmonte’s philosophy, as articulated by General Manager Garrett O’Rourke, of enjoying and being productive with their horses, a principle demonstrated with other notable horses like Frankel and Enable.
She's all class! #4 IDIOMATIC ($5.60) pressed the early pace and held off a slew of late challengers to win the GI #BreedersCup Distaff!
This is the fifth consecutive graded victory for the @JuddmonteFarms homebred, who was ridden by @flothejock for @bradcoxracing. pic.twitter.com/EBtACoSnoO
— TVG (@TVG) November 4, 2023
Oh, last year was quite the spectacle, wasn’t it? The champion older female, Idiomatic, with her roots tracing back to Curlin, dazzled us all. And guess what? She’s not done yet. They’ve decided to put her back in training for a 5-year-old campaign. Can you believe it? She might just start her season in the GI La Troienne S. That’s happening on the GI Kentucky Oaks undercard this May 3.
Now, let’s talk workouts. This Juddmonte homebred, she’s been busy. Just this Thursday morning at Fair Grounds, she clocked four furlongs in :49 (17/43). That’s her third workout of 2024. Trainer Brad Cox must be thrilled.
Garrett O’Rourke, the big boss at Juddmonte USA, had a few things to say. He reminisced about the late founder, Prince Khalid (bin Abdullah). That man knew his horses. From Frankel to Enable, he wasn’t shy about running them. “If you’re enjoying them and they’re productive, why stop?” O’Rourke mused.
After the Breeders’ Cup, they had a decision to make. They gave Idiomatic a break, just 60 days. Let her grow some hair, relax a bit. Then, it was back to business. They started getting her back in shape at Juddmonte before sending her to Brad. “She’s doing super,” O’Rourke shared, knocking on wood. No hiccups so far.
As for her comeback, they’re eyeing the GI Apple Blossom at Oaklawn Park. But that’s probably too soon. So, they’re leaning towards the La Troienne on Oaks day. Makes sense.
Idiomatic’s journey wasn’t a straight line. She didn’t race at two and had a modest start at three. But then, wow, did she find her stride. Last season, she won eight of nine starts. Her 2023 was nothing short of brilliant, with major wins left and right. Now, she’s sitting pretty with a record of 12-9-1-2 and earnings over $2.4 million.
O’Rourke couldn’t hide his pride. “We did everything right with her,” he said. They let her mature at her own pace, no rush. That patience paid off. Last year was tough, but she got the rest she deserved. And she’s still got that spark. “She should get better with age,” he hoped.
Idiomatic isn’t just any horse. She’s one of three Breeders’ Cup winners sired by the legendary Curlin last year. And her lineage? Impressive. She’s the first foal out of Lockdown, a stakes winner and third-place finisher in the 2017 GI Kentucky Oaks. Lockdown is a full-sister to Juddmonte’s champion Close Hatches.
And let’s not forget her moment of glory at the Breeders’ Cup Distaff. “#4 IDIOMATIC pressed the early pace and held off a slew of late challengers,” the tweet read. That victory marked her fifth consecutive graded win. All eyes were on her, and rightly so. She’s all class, a true testament to the Juddmonte legacy.
