Since the turn of the century, racing enthusiasts have witnessed an impressive number of top-tier mares continuing their careers well beyond their early years.
In the past, a mare with a strong racing record would often be retired to the breeding barn by the age of five or six at the latest.
Let’s Elope extended her career until the age of seven before retiring in the US. Sunline also raced at seven, competing in her fourth Cox Plate, where she secured two victories, a runner-up finish, and a fourth-place result in her final attempt.
Makybe Diva also retired at seven after clinching her third Melbourne Cup title, while Winx bowed out at the same age following her triumph in the Queen Elizabeth Stakes at Randwick, capping off a record-breaking four Cox Plate wins.
Bella Nipotina recently joined the ranks of retired seven-year-old mares, amassing over $22.5 million in prize money. Via Sistina, another standout in this age bracket, has accumulated seven Australian Group 1 victories in just 12 months, including last week’s Ranvet Stakes at Rosehill.
With many elite young colts and geldings either heading to Hong Kong for lucrative sales or transitioning to stud careers, it is the mares who are now taking center stage in racing.
This Saturday at Flemington, three seven-year-old mares—Atishu, Deny Knowledge, and Pride Of Jenni—are set to face off in the Group 1 Australian Cup (2000m).
All three are proven Group 1 winners, although Pride Of Jenni is still seeking her first top-tier victory at age seven after finishing second twice this season.
Deny Knowledge, trained by Anthony and Sam Freedman, earned her Group 1 success in the Caulfield Stakes (2000m) last spring, defeating notable contenders such as Mr Brightside and Atishu.
Sam Freedman expressed his excitement about Deny Knowledge’s upcoming race on Saturday.
“It looks like it will be a truly run race,” Freedman told RSN.
“We’ll be ridden in the same manner that we’ve been successful doing so in the past. We know we’ve got an honest mare that runs out a really strong, fast run 2000 metres.
“I think where she has a bit of versatility is that she will be able to chase that speed and sit close to it, whereas I think a lot of Pride Of Jenni’s competitors haven’t been able to absorb that sort of pace and kick off it.”
Freedman noted that with pressure likely increasing from the 800m mark, the race could set up well for a horse sitting just off the lead.
“There’s a chance that we bust each other up from a fair way out, but I wouldn’t swap our mare with anything there,” Freedman said.
“She’s her own worst nightmare. She’s so hard on herself, but she is so genuine. She’s like a freight train, she doesn’t know how to stop.
“It feels like it’s one of the best Australian Cups for some time. It will be a fascinating contest.
“It will be on a nice track, on a big day, so hopefully it’s a good contest.”
Freedman added that Deny Knowledge’s current campaign has been centered around this race, with any potential plans for Sydney to be determined after the Australian Cup.
