Rachel Alexandra is one of the most well-known racehorses to run in the last fifty years. Her career was inspiring and downright entertaining to follow. She was so good that she was named both Horse of the Year and Champion Three-Year Old Filly in 2009.
I have compiled ten facts about Rachel Alexandra’s life and career for you to enjoy. Hopefully you learn something new!
1. Rachel Alexandra’s breeder Dolphus Morrison originally had Rachel Alexandra entered in the 2006 Keeneland November Weanling Sale, but decided to scratch her when her x-rays came back showing a “minor developmental issue”. He knew that she would not bring the type of money she was worth because of this, so he kept her for himself.
2. Rachel Alexandra raced six times before winning her first graded stakes race, the Gr.2 Golden Rod Stakes, as a two-year old. That race would be the first of nine consecutive victories! It was also her first race with jockey Calvin Borel.
3. The Kentucky Oaks is one of Rachel’s greatest victories -- she won by 20 ¼ lengths! Stonestreet Farms were so impressed with her that they purchased Rachel for an undisclosed price soon after this race.
4. After winning the Kentucky Oaks, Rachel Alexandra faced the boys for the very first time in the Preakness Stakes. She won by one length, making her the first filly to win both the Kentucky Oaks and the Preakness. It had been 85 years since a filly won the Preakness!
5. When Rachel Alexandra won the Gr.1 Mother Goose Stakes by 19 ¼ lengths, she broke two records: she set a new record time of 1:46.33 for the stakes and beat Ruffian’s record of 13 ½ length margin of victory.
6. Rachel Alexandra defeated the 2009 Kentucky Derby winner Mine That Bird when she won the Preakness and beat that year’s Belmont Stakes winner Summer Bird in the Woodward.
7. Rachel Alexandra was the first filly to ever win the Woodward Stakes.
8. Rachel Alexandra’s win in the Gr.2 Fair Ground Oaks was revenge for her dam, Lotta Kim. Lotta Kim had been slated to run in the 2005 running of the race, but tragedy struck. A loose horse spooked her, causing her to rear up. Lotta Kim lost her balance and went tumbling onto the asphalt, leaving her with a huge gash on her hindquarters that took 278 stitches to close.
9. Rachel Alexandra had two foals, Jess’s Dream and Rachel’s Valentina. Both were winners with Rachel’s Valeninta even winning a Gr.1 race! Jess’s Dream stands at Ocala Stud for $5,000. Rachel’s Valentina is a broodmare at Stonestreet Farms and has foaled one colt by Curlin and a filly by Pioneerof The Nile. She was bred to Curlin in 2019.
10. Rachel Alexandra is no longer a broodmare because she nearly lost her life foaling Rachel’s Valentina. Instead she is living lavishly at Stonestreet Farms where fans can meet her on See Rachel Days!
If you'd like to read my write up on the entire life & career of Rachel Alexandra, click here!
About the Author: Through her blog Champions of the Track, Kaeli Bartholomew works to grow the popularity of horse racing through stories, photos, and videos. She aims for her content to reach new fans and kindle the love of horse racing in current fans.
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