[/caption]After watching Goldikova capture her 4th consecutive Prix Rothschild, and 14th Group/Grade 1 win of her career in Sunday’s Prix Rothschild at Deauville, can there now be any doubt that the 6-year-old champion is the greatest female miler of all time? Of course there can be, but it would take one mighty powerful argument to rule Goldikova out of the top two at least.
Making her third start of the year and fourth successive appearance in the Prix Rothschild against her own sex, Goldikova was sent off an overwhelming 2-5 favorite against her seven rivals. With stable mate Flash Dance breaking well and gunning for the lead, Goldikova broke second best and took up position about two lengths behind her fellow Freddy Head trainee. Falmouth Stakes (Eng-1) winner Timepiece sat half a length off Goldikova in third as the field made their way down the middle of the Deuville course. Positions remained relatively unchanged through the first three quarters of the race before jockey Olivier Peslier decided to move on Goldikova. The response was instantaneous and explosive as the wonder mare burst to the lead with a dazzling turn of foot, easily over taking Flash Dance and opening up a two length lead with just a shake of the reins. From the back of the field Sahpresa mounted a strong run, passing Timepiece and setting her sights on Goldikova. Racing through the final furlong Goldikova continued to lead, Peslier riding his mount with just mild urging as Sahpresa continued to close ground.
Down to the final sixteenth Peslier eased up on his super-star mount as the pair waltzed past the wire, easily besting Sahpresa by a neck in virtually effortless victory. Timepiece finished another two lengths behind in third.
In winning her 4th consecutive Prix Rothschild (Fr-1) Goldikova became the first horse to win four consecutive Group 1’s in France since the European Pattern System was first implemented in 1971. Not only that but she has won now won an amazing 14 Group or Grade 1 races in her stellar career and could be back as soon as August 15th to take on the males in the Prix Jacques le Marois at Deauville. She won the Prix Jacques le Marois in 2009 but finished second Makfi in the 2010 renewal when the turf conditions came up soft. Trainer Freddy Head indicated he would not run his star in the Prix Jacques le Marois if it comes up as less than firm turf again, but would instead point Goldikova towards Ascot where she could possibly cross paths with the brilliant, undefeated super-star Frankel in the Quipco Queen Elizabeth II Stakes in October.
While Goldikova continued to enhance her legendary status in the Rothschild, jockey Olivier Peslier also reached a milestone in his career, capturing his 100th Group 1 victory. If all goes as planned this year Goldikova will return to American once again to defend her Breeders’ Cup Mile title for a fourth consecutive year. With the incredibly large global fan base the mare has built up over the years, she could have two continents backing her when she travels to Churchill Downs in November, and it’s probably safe to say a majority of those in attendance will be there to see the celebrated mare.
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