Gezora reels in She Feels Pretty in Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Turf

Peter M. Brant’s Gezora didn’t get the opportunity to do herself justice in the Oct. 5 Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe (G1), but the French sophomore capitalized on a much better scenario in Saturday’s $1.84 million Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Turf (G1) at Del Mar. 

Rallying from midpack for Mickael Barzalona, Gezora outstayed She Feels Pretty in the final strides of the 1 3/8-mile test. The 9.10-1 chance, who drifted up from 7-2 morning-line favoritism, gave French champion trainer-elect Francis-Henri Graffard his first Breeders’ Cup win. 

“It’s a meeting I’ve always loved and tried to win one, but it’s very hard,” said Graffard, who earlier Saturday sent out Goliath (11th in the Turf) and Sahlan (fifth in the Mile [G1]). 

“I saw that again today how hard it is, and you really need a horse like Gezora, who has a big heart, travels really strongly and is able to quicken. She’s a champion filly, and it’s fantastic to win a race like that, especially for Mr. Brant in his famous colors.”

She Feels Pretty, the slight second choice at 3.30-1, appeared to hold all the cards for much of the race. Although breaking from post 12 left her without the cover she prefers, the Cherie DeVaux trainee was in a favorable spot, tracking the controlling speed.

The pacesetting Be Your Best had things her own way through splits of :24.36, :47.43, 1:11.17, and 1:35.66. Then She Feels Pretty could contain herself no longer, but coasted to the front under a snug hold swinging for home. 

Barzalona wisely began stoking Gezora up on the far turn, and the daughter of Almanzor responded to put herself into contention at the top of the lane. She still had work to do to catch She Feels Pretty, but the farther they went, the more Gezora threatened. 

Overhauling She Feels Pretty by a half-length, Gezora clocked 2:12.54 in her triumphant U.S. debut and returned $20.20. She handed Barzalona his second Breeders’ Cup winner, after Talismanic in the 2017 Breeders' Cup Turf (G1) on this course. 

“I got a good draw,” Barzalona said of breaking from post 4, “so I was able to get into a good position without too much effort in the beginning of the race. The pace went a good gallop, and I thought I just needed to maintain my filly and concentrate to be in the race. 

“I got into a flat spot quite early in the bend, but she was very tough. The leader was coming back to me, and I knew I was going to get to the front. She’s very straightforward and uncomplicated, and I think that’s what we need over here.” 

Godolphin’s Diamond Rain closed for third, and the 90-1 Cathedral outperformed her odds in an even fourth. Bedtime Story finished belatedly for fifth. 

Bellezza, Stellify, lukewarm 3.10-1 favorite Cinderella’s Dream, See the Fire, Mission of Joy, and Be Your Best concluded the order under the wire. La Kika was eased but walked off the course. Atsila was scratched upon veterinary advice.

Gezora, whose previous top-level score came in the June 15 Prix de Diane (French Oaks) (G1), improved her scorecard to 10-5-2-1 and surpassed $2 million in earnings. Initially racing for her breeder, Haras d’Etreham, the bay captured last year’s Prix des Reservoirs (G3) and missed narrowly in the Prix de Conde (G3) to Lazy Griff, an eventual placegetter in both the Epsom and Irish Derby (G1). 

Brant acquired Gezora ahead of her classic campaign and transferred her to Graffard. Third in her reappearance in the Prix Vanteaux (G3), she appreciated a step up in trip to turn the Prix Saint-Alary (G2)/Diane double. Gezora enjoyed a summer holiday before prepping in the Prix Vermeille (G1), where she placed a fine second to Aventure. There was foreboding when Gezora drew post 13 in the Arc, and she could never secure a decent position en route to a 13th-place finish. 

“The Arc was 17 runners, a very strong field, soft ground and a mile and a half,” Graffard noted. “It’s a different journey, but she was way too far back in the race and made a move. I was hoping she came out really well, and she did. 

“She’s a very sweet filly, and she tries very hard. She’s not complicated, so she helps us do the job. Today she proved she’s a real champion. She’s a classic winner, Prix de Diane winner, and a Breeders’ Cup winner—which is amazing—and I don’t think many fillies have this on their CV.”

Gezora’s dam, the Silver Hawk mare Germance, also won the Saint-Alary (as a Group 1) in 2006, but she settled for runner-up honors in the French Oaks. She tried the Filly & Mare Turf in her career finale at Churchill Downs, only to trail home behind two-time champion Ouija Board.

Gezora added yet another laurel to Graffard’s outstanding 2025, highlighted by his Arc hero Daryz and multiple Group 1-winning star Calandagan.

“This season has been pretty much incredible,” the horseman said. “We’ve had very nice horses, but it’s a lot of work, but everything went really well with us through the season. We’ve been able to win these amazing races, and it’s created a lot of emotion and we’ve enjoyed that very much.” 

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