Kentucky-bred Segesta shipped to California from her East Coast base and took down top prize in the $300,000 Matriarch Stakes (G1) at Del Mar on Sunday, Nov. 30. The Juddmonte homebred is trained by Chad Brown and was ridden by Flavien Prat.
The 4-year-old daughter of champion Ghostzapper was always forwardly placed by Prat. When encouraged for her best turning for home, Segesta accelerated smartly and drew off. She scored by 2 ¼ lengths at the finish, covering one mile on turf in 1:35.60. The winner picked up first prize of $180,000 to push her career earnings to $1,190,275 for her fourth victory in her 11th start. All her outings have come on turf.
“She was a bit on her toes,” said Prat. “She was there for every step of the way today. Chad thought she might be a Grade 1 winner. She gave me a first-class trip. She was there every step of the way.”
Segesta is produced from the Grade 1-winning First Defence mare Antonoe. A Juddmonte colorbearer, Antonoe captured the 2017 Just a Game S. (G1) at Belmont Park en route to career earnings of $565,377. Like Segesta, Antonoe was conditioned by Brown. In addition to the Matriarch, Segesta also annexed the Matchmaker S. (G3) over the summer at Monmouth Park. She finished second in both the Ladies Turf S. (G3) at Kentucky Downs in August and the First Lady S. (G1) at Keeneland in October.