Idiomatic entered 2024 with high expectations following an eight-win championship campaign in 2023 that included the Longines Breeders’ Cup Distaff and Eclipse Award as outstanding older female. For a second straight year, Idiomatic is an Eclipse finalist in the same category.
The 2023 season was always going to be a tough act to follow for Idiomatic, a Curlin filly owned and bred in Kentucky by Juddmonte Farms. After she won the Breeders’ Cup Distaff, Idiomatic was given a comprehensive evaluation before the decision was made to race her as a 5-year-old in 2024.
“She made it an easy decision,” Juddmonte USA general manager Garrett O’Rourke said. “She was at the top of her game, a very sound mare, and very happy mare. We checked her out, everything was clean, and we turned her out. Cantering on the farm, she felt super, looked super, and they were happy to make the decision to commit to another year.”
The Juddmonte decision-makers are Prince Fahd Khalid bin Abdullah and Prince Saud Khalid bin Abdullah, sons of late Juddmonte founder, Prince Khalid bin Abdullah. Idiomatic commenced workouts in March, and trainer Brad Cox targeted the Grade 1 Fasig-Tipton La Troienne for her 2024 debut in May at Churchill Downs.
:: Full list of 2024 Eclipse Awards finalists, including profile stories
Making her first start in six months, Idiomatic made it look easy. Under regular rider Florent Geroux, she pressed the pace and ran away by 3 3/4 lengths. Idiomatic was back. But she was not invincible.
In the Grade 1 Ogden Phipps in June at Saratoga. Idiomatic lost ground four and three wide, while pacesetter Randomized benefited by a rail trip and won by a head. Idiomatic needed a confidence-builder, and Cox dropped her into the Grade 3 Molly Pitcher at Monmouth Park .
Idiomatic set slow fractions in the Molly Pitcher and won by a head over Soul of an Angel, subsequent winner of the PNC Bank Breeders’ Cup Filly and Mare Sprint. After the Molly Pitcher, Idiomatic returned to Saratoga for a rematch with Randomized in the Grade 1 Personal Ensign in August.
Geroux allowed the large-sized Idiomatic to use her speed, and she and Randomized hooked up through a contested pace while speeding six lengths clear. Idiomatic shook off Randomized on the far turn and opened a four-length lead in the stretch. But the pace duel took its toll. Raging Sea, a deep closer, nailed runner-up Idiomatic late. It was more than 10 lengths back to third.
Despite falling short two of her first four starts in 2024, Idiomatic was earning speed figures almost comparable to 2023. And in her next start, the Grade 1 Juddmonte Spinster at Keeneland, Idiomatic showed off by delivering the most lopsided victory of her career. She scored a front-running romp by 6 1/2 lengths.
The Spinster turned out to be her final race. Idiomatic subsequently sustained a knee injury that prevented her from running the Longines Breeders’ Cup Distaff. In late October, Juddmonte announced Idiomatic was retired to become a broodmare.
Sired by Curlin and produced by stakes winner Lockdown, Idiomatic won three races and $1,487,350 from five starts in 2024. She retired with 12 wins and $3,944,190 from 17 starts. Idiomatic is the all-time leading female earner by Curlin. Plans call for Idiomatic to be bred this spring.
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