Closing third for Diamond Rain in G1 Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Turf

Diamond Rain produced a more polished performance on her second North American appearance as she closed strongly to finish third in the G1 Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Turf at Del Mar on Saturday, 1 November. 

The Shamardal filly had fluffed the start and failed to cope with the turns when filling the runner-up spot in August’s G1 E P Taylor Stakes and was again slightly slow leaving the stalls before settling in eighth of the 13 runners.

Diamond Rain traded places with stablemate Cinderella’s Dream after the first three furlongs and the Charlie Appleby-trained duo continued to race alongside each other as Be Your Best stretched the field. 

Cinderella’s Dream attempted to make ground wide turning in, with Diamond Rain staying on between horses as E P Taylor Stakes winner She Feels Pretty kicked on into a clear lead. 

Both Godolphin fillies appeared poised to challenge early in the straight, although Cinderella’s Dream could only keep on at the same pace for William Buick to come home eighth. 

In contrast, Diamond Rain finished off her race strongly under Billy Loughnane to take third inside the final half-furlong and go down by just over a length in total behind Gezora, who edged out She Feels Pretty near the line. 

Charlie Appleby said: “Diamond Rain delighted us. She’s a big filly to get around those turns and she handled herself well. Hopefully next year we’ll have some fun with her, possibly here in America.”   

 “I would say Cinderella’s Dream has probably run her last race there. She’ll head to the breeding sheds now and it’s well deserved, considering what she’s accomplished in her career.”