Thoroughbred The Thoroughbred is a horse breed best known for its use in horse racing. Although the word ''thoroughbred'' is sometimes used to refer to any breed of purebred horse, it technically refers only to the Thoroughbred breed. Thoroughbreds are ...

racehorse Horse racing is an equestrian performance sport, typically involving two or more horses ridden by jockeys (or sometimes driven without riders) over a set distance for competition. It is one of the most ancient of all sports, as its basic ...

Empire Maker Empire Maker (April 27, 2000 - January 18, 2020)Breeders' Cup Ladies Classic The Breeders' Cup Distaff is a Weight for Age Thoroughbred horse race for fillies and mares, 3 years old and up. Known as the Breeders' Cup Ladies' Classic between 2008 and 2012, it is held annually at a different racetrack in the United State ...

Eclipse Awards The Eclipse Award is an American Thoroughbred horse racing award named after the 18th-century British racehorse and sire, Eclipse. An Eclipse Award Trophy is presented to the winner in each division that is made by a few small selected American ...

American Champion Three-Year-Old Filly The American Champion Three-Year-Old Filly is an American Thoroughbred horse racing honor awarded annually to a female horse in Thoroughbred flat racing. It became part of the Eclipse Awards program in 1971. The award originated in 1936 when both ...

American Champion Older Female Horse The Eclipse Award for Champion Older Dirt Female Horse is an American Thoroughbred horse racing honor awarded annually to a filly or mare, four years old and up, for performances on dirt and main track racing surfaces. In 1971, it became part of th ...

Grade I In the United Kingdom, a listed building or listed structure is one that has been placed on one of the four statutory lists maintained by Historic England in England, Historic Environment Scotland in Scotland, in Wales, and the Northern Irel ...

Alabama (We dare defend our rights) , anthem = " Alabama" , image_map = Alabama in United States.svg , seat = Montgomery , LargestCity = Huntsville , LargestCounty = Baldwin County , LargestMetro = Greater Birmingham , area_total_km2 = 135,7 ...

Beldame Beldame (1901–1924) was an American racehorse and broodmare. Background The chestnut filly was foaled near Lexington, Kentucky, in 1901. She was by Octagon, out of the English-bred Bella Donna (by The Derby winner Hermit). Named Beldame, she ...

Delaware Delaware ( ) is a state in the Mid-Atlantic region of the United States, bordering Maryland to its south and west; Pennsylvania to its north; and New Jersey and the Atlantic Ocean to its east. The state takes its name from the adjacen ...

Personal Ensign Stakes The Personal Ensign Stakes is an American Grade I Thoroughbred horse race held annually during the third week of August at Saratoga Race Course in Saratoga Springs, New York. Open to fillies and Mares age three and older, it is contested at a dista ...

Breeders' Cup The Breeders' Cup World Championships is an annual series of Graded stakes race, Grade I Thoroughbred racing, Thoroughbred horse races, operated by Breeders' Cup Limited, a company formed in 1982. From its inception in 1984 through 2006, it was ...

white star White Star or Whitestar may refer to: * Any star with a suitable spectral type * WhiteStarUML, a UML modeling tool * White Star (cider), a brand of British white cider * White Star (horse), a show horse * White Star Line, a steamship company * W ...

Empire Maker Empire Maker (April 27, 2000 - January 18, 2020)Belmont Stakes winner. Prior to Royal Delta, Empire Maker's most successful offspring was

Pioneerof the Nile the Nile (May 5, 2006 – March 18, 2019) was an American Thoroughbred racehorse who came second in the 2009 Kentucky Derby and sired the 2015 Triple Crown winner American Pharoah, as well as 2016 Champion 2-Year-Old Colt Classic Empire. Ba ...

, who placed second in the

Kentucky Derby The Kentucky Derby is a horse race held annually in Louisville, Kentucky, United States, almost always on the first Saturday in May, capping the two-week-long Kentucky Derby Festival. The competition is a Grade I stakes race for three-yea ...

and became the sire of

Triple Crown Triple Crown may refer to: Sports Horse racing * Triple Crown of Thoroughbred Racing * Triple Crown of Thoroughbred Racing (United States) ** Triple Crown Trophy ** Triple Crown Productions * Canadian Triple Crown of Thoroughbred Racing * T ...

winner

American Pharoah American Pharoah (foaled February 2, 2012) is a Thoroughbred racehorse who won the American Triple Crown and the Breeders' Cup Classic in 2015. He was the 12th Triple Crown winner in history, and in winning all four races, became the first h ...

. Royal Delta was from Empire Maker's fourth crop and started racing shortly after her sire was exported to Japan. Royal Delta's dam was Delta Princess, a stakes winning mare by

A.P. Indy A.P. Indy (March 31, 1989 – February 21, 2020) was an American Thoroughbred racehorse who won the Belmont Stakes and Breeders' Cup Classic on his way to American Horse of the Year honors in 1992. His time in the Belmont Stakes tied Easy Goer fo ...

. Ron Wallace, general manager of Palides, explained the difference between mother and daughter in a 2011 interview: "(Delta Princess) is tough; she's a lot more competitive than Royal Delta. But Royal Delta is way more athletic and she hasn't even quite figured it all out. She is going to be incredible as a 4-year-old. She was laid back in the paddock (before racing in the 2011 Ladies' Classic). Here (at the Keeneland Sales), she's a star, but she doesn't care. Her mother would eat horses alive in front of her; she was going to win no matter what. Royal Delta is just good (because of her natural ability). If she learns to be competitive, watch out." Royal Delta initially raced as a homebred for Palides Investments. Prince Saud bin Khaled died in 2011 and Royal Delta was sold in a dispersal sale to Besilu Stables. Royal Delta stood high at the withers. She was trained throughout her career by

Bill Mott William I. "Bill" Mott (born July 29, 1953, in Mobridge, South Dakota) is an American horse trainer, most notable for his work with Cigar. Mott earned the Eclipse Award for Outstanding Trainer in 1995 and 1996. He was inducted into the National ...

, who described her as determined and willful. Although a high energy horse, she usually maintained a level attitude on the racetrack. She had a large appetite and was known around the stable simply as "Royal".

Racing career

Royal Delta made her debut in a one-mile maiden special weight race on October 30, 2010 at

Belmont Park Belmont Park is a major thoroughbred horse racing facility in the northeastern United States, located in Elmont, New York, just east of the New York City limits. It was opened on May 4, 1905. It is operated by the non-profit New York Raci ...

, which she won by 12 lengths.

2011: Three-year-old campaign

After a lengthy layoff, Royal Delta returned to racing in the Suncoast Stakes on March 12, 2011 at

Tampa Bay Downs Tampa Bay Downs is an American Thoroughbred horse racing facility located in Westchase in Hillsborough County in the U.S. state of Florida, just outside Tampa. It opened in 1926 under the name Tampa Downs, and has also been known as Sunshine Pa ...

, finishing ninth. She next shipped to

Keeneland Keeneland Association, Inc. is an equine business based in Lexington, Kentucky. It includes two distinct divisions: the Keeneland Race Course, a Thoroughbred racing facility, and Keeneland Sales, a horse auction complex. It is also known for i ...

on April 15, where she won an allowance race on the synthetic dirt surface by three lengths. She was under consideration for the

Kentucky Oaks The Kentucky Oaks is a Grade I stakes race for three-year-old Thoroughbred fillies staged annually in Louisville, Kentucky, United States. The race currently covers at Churchill Downs; the horses carry . The Kentucky Oaks is held on the Friday ...

but did not draw into the field due to a lack of graded stakes earnings. Instead, she was entered in the

Black-Eyed Susan Stakes The George E. Mitchell Black-Eyed Susan Stakes is a Grade II American Thoroughbred horse race for three-year-old fillies run over a distance of miles on the dirt annually at Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore, Maryland. The event currently offers ...

at Pimlico Racetrack on May 20. Royal Delta was the third choice at 3–1 on the morning line in a strong field of six stakes winners, but she eventually went off as the co-favorite at 9–5. When the gates opened, she veered inside and settled immediately to be one of the trailers. On the club house turn, she moved into a stalker's position about four lengths back in fifth place. Around the final turn, her jockey,

Jose Lezcano Jose Lezcano (born April 20, 1985 in Panama) is a jockey in American Thoroughbred horse racing. He rides in New York in the spring, summer and fall and spends the winter in Florida. His big break came in 2008 when he won a Breeders' Cup race. Ca ...

, took the inside path and passed two horses. At the top of the stretch, Royal Delta passed morning line favorite Wyomia, then ran down leader Hot Summer, and moved to a three-length lead. Approaching the wire, Buster's Ready made a rush at her, but Royal Delta held on to win by lengths. Royal Delta was next expected to run in the Grade I Mother Goose but missed the race due to a bruised hoof. On July 23, she returned in the

Coaching Club American Oaks The Coaching Club American Oaks is a race for thoroughbred three-year-old fillies and the second leg of the Triple Tiara of Thoroughbred Racing. Originally run at Belmont Park, the Grade I $500,000 stakes race was moved to Saratoga Race Course in ...

where she finished third behind

It's Tricky "It's Tricky" is the fourth single released from Run-DMC's third album, ''Raising Hell''. It was released early in 1987 through Profile Records and was co-produced by Rick Rubin and the group themselves. The song peaked at 57 on the US ' ...

and

Kentucky Oaks The Kentucky Oaks is a Grade I stakes race for three-year-old Thoroughbred fillies staged annually in Louisville, Kentucky, United States. The race currently covers at Churchill Downs; the horses carry . The Kentucky Oaks is held on the Friday ...

winner Plum Pretty. On August 20, Royal Delta scored a five and a half length victory in the $500,000

Alabama Stakes The Alabama Stakes is an American Thoroughbred horse race open to three-year-old fillies. Inaugurated in 1872, the Grade I race is run over a distance of one and one-quarter miles on the dirt track at Saratoga Race Course. Held in mid August, it cu ...

, avenging her loss to Plum Pretty and It's Tricky from a month earlier. She finished the mile and a quarter race (10 furlongs) in 2:03.13 for her first Grade I win. "I tried to make her relax today", said Lezcano. "Last time she was a little rank, she fought with the bit. But today, I let her break and run the first quarter, and after that I took a little hold and she got very relaxed. I asked her at the quarter pole and took her out, and she gave me a big kick. She really took off." After the

Alabama Stakes The Alabama Stakes is an American Thoroughbred horse race open to three-year-old fillies. Inaugurated in 1872, the Grade I race is run over a distance of one and one-quarter miles on the dirt track at Saratoga Race Course. Held in mid August, it cu ...

, rather than face her own division again, Royal Delta contested the Grade I

Beldame Stakes The Beldame Stakes is an American Thoroughbred horse race for fillies and mares three-years-old and up. Inaugurated in 1939, it was run as a handicap prior to 1960. The race is held annually near the beginning of October at Belmont Park and curre ...

on October 1 at

Belmont Park Belmont Park is a major thoroughbred horse racing facility in the northeastern United States, located in Elmont, New York, just east of the New York City limits. It was opened on May 4, 1905. It is operated by the non-profit New York Raci ...

against older fillies and mares including eventual

American Horse of the Year The American Award for Horse of the Year, one of the Eclipse Awards, is the highest honor given in American thoroughbred horse racing. Because Thoroughbred horse racing in the United States has no governing body to sanction the various awards, "Hor ...

Havre de Grace. After racing close to the lead, she held a clear second in the slop while proving no match for Havre de Grace, who drew off to win by nine lengths. On November 4, Royal Delta entered the

Breeders' Cup Ladies' Classic The Breeders' Cup Distaff is a Weight for Age Thoroughbred horse race for fillies and mares, 3 years old and up. Known as the Breeders' Cup Ladies' Classic between 2008 and 2012, it is held annually at a different racetrack in the United States or ...

at

Churchill Downs Churchill Downs is a horse racing complex located on Central Avenue in south Louisville, Kentucky, United States, famed for hosting the annual Kentucky Derby. It officially opened in 1875 and was named for Samuel Churchill, whose family was ...

as the slight favorite over nine opponents. (Havre de Grace had elected to run in the

Breeders' Cup Classic The Breeders' Cup Classic is a Grade I Weight for Age thoroughbred horse race Thoroughbred racing is a sport and industry involving the racing of Thoroughbred horses. It is governed by different national bodies. There are two forms of the s ...

.) Plum Pretty set a slow early pace and was challenged at the top of the stretch by It's Tricky. Royal Delta closed ground from the middle of the track and pulled away near the finish line to win by lengths over It's Tricky. "I thought it (the pace) was a little slow but I think it is a testament to her ability and her tremendous turn of foot to close on that kind of pace", said Mott. The performance cemented her status as the top sophomore filly in the country. She was named the

American Champion Three-Year-Old Filly The American Champion Three-Year-Old Filly is an American Thoroughbred horse racing honor awarded annually to a female horse in Thoroughbred flat racing. It became part of the Eclipse Awards program in 1971. The award originated in 1936 when both ...

, earning 243 out of 248 votes in the

Eclipse Award The Eclipse Award is an American Thoroughbred horse racing award named after the 18th-century British racehorse and sire, Eclipse. An Eclipse Award Trophy is presented to the winner in each division that is made by a few small selected America ...

balloting. In late November, she was sold at the Keeneland auction for $8.5 million to

Benjamin Leon Benjamin Leon, Jr. is a Cuban- American businessman and horse enthusiast. Career Leon was born in Oriente, Cuba in 1944. Leon migrated to Miami, Florida in 1961. Leon's father founded Clinica Cuba in 1964 in order to help meet the healthcare ...

's Besilu Stables. That price was, at the time, the third highest ever paid at auction for a racing or broodmare prospect, behind

Ashado Ashado (foaled February 4, 2001 in Kentucky) is an American Thoroughbred horse racing, racemare whose seven Grade I horserace, Grade I wins included the 2004 Breeders' Cup Distaff. She won Eclipse Awards as the Champion Three-Year-Old Filly of 20 ...

and

Better Than Honour {{Infobox racehorse , horsename = Better Than Honour , image = , sire = Deputy Minister , grandsire = Vice Regent , dam = Blush With Pride , damsire = Blushing Groom , sex = Mare , foaled = 1996 , country = United States , colour ...

, who sold for $9 million and $14 million respectively. Leon outdueled Adena Springs owner Frank Stronach and said afterwards that he would return Royal Delta to the races in 2012 at age four.

2012: Four-year-old season

Royal Delta started her four-year-old campaign on February 25, 2012, placing second to Awesome Maria in the $100,000 Grade III

Sabin Stakes The Royal Delta Stakes is a Grade III American Thoroughbred horse race for fillies and mares that are four years old or older, over a distance of miles on the dirt held annually in February at Gulfstream Park in Hallandale Beach, Florida. The e ...

at

Gulfstream Park Gulfstream Park, owned by The Stronach Group, is a Thoroughbred race track, casino and outdoor entertainment and shopping destination in Hallandale Beach, Florida. Thoroughbred horse racing occurs year-round, defined by three distinct race meet ...

. It was announced that she would be pointed to the world's richest race, the $10,000,000

Dubai World Cup The Dubai World Cup (Arabic: كأس دبي العالمي) is a Thoroughbred horse race held annually since 1996 and contested at the Meydan Racecourse (Arabic: ميدان) which in Arabic suggests a place wher ...

, the inaugural running of which trainer

Bill Mott William I. "Bill" Mott (born July 29, 1953, in Mobridge, South Dakota) is an American horse trainer, most notable for his work with Cigar. Mott earned the Eclipse Award for Outstanding Trainer in 1995 and 1996. He was inducted into the National ...

won in 1996 with the legendary Cigar. In the 2012 World Cup on March 31, Royal Delta was impeded and bumped near the start and then was hampered coming around the final turn and finished ninth in the field of 14, lengths behind the winner. "In the middle of the turn, the horse in front of me quit, so I had to wait a little longer than I wanted to", said Lezcano. "She gave me a good run at the end." Along with several other American horses at the meet, she had trouble handing the "sticky" artificial dirt surface. On June 16, Royal Delta was the highweight in the $150,000 Grade II

Fleur de Lis Handicap The Fleur de Lis Stakes is a Grade III American Thoroughbred horse race for fillies and mares age three and older over a distance of miles on the dirt run annually in mid-June at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky. History The event was i ...

at

Churchill Downs Churchill Downs is a horse racing complex located on Central Avenue in south Louisville, Kentucky, United States, famed for hosting the annual Kentucky Derby. It officially opened in 1875 and was named for Samuel Churchill, whose family was ...

and won impressively by eight lengths. She beat Afleeting Lady and

Kentucky Oaks The Kentucky Oaks is a Grade I stakes race for three-year-old Thoroughbred fillies staged annually in Louisville, Kentucky, United States. The race currently covers at Churchill Downs; the horses carry . The Kentucky Oaks is held on the Friday ...

runner-up St. John's River, who finished second and third respectively in the field of six. On July 21, Royal Delta won the $750,000

Delaware Handicap The Delaware Handicap is an American Thoroughbred horse race run annually in mid July at Delaware Park Racetrack in Wilmington, Delaware. The Grade 2 race is open to fillies and mares, age three and up, willing to race one and one-quarter miles o ...

at

Delaware Park Delaware Park may refer to: *Delaware Park-Front Park System, the Buffalo, New York park and parkway system listed on the National Register of Historic Places. * Delaware Park, New Jersey, a CDP in Warren County, New Jersey. *Delaware Park Racetrac ...

by a neck over Delaware Park specialist Tiz Miz Sue. She also avenged her loss earlier in the year to rival Awesome Maria, who finished six lengths back in third in the field of eight. "She proved to be the best", said Mott. "She was game in victory. She did a lot of work around the turn and early in the stretch. She made the lead a little early, but she got it done." On August 26, Royal Delta competed in the $600,000

Personal Ensign Stakes The Personal Ensign Stakes is an American Grade I Thoroughbred horse race held annually during the third week of August at Saratoga Race Course in Saratoga Springs, New York. Open to fillies and Mares age three and older, it is contested at a dista ...

at Saratoga. Before the race, Royal Delta became agitated and was noticeably washed out. Early in the race, she stalked the pace set by Brushed by A Star and Love and Pride, then moved into contention to challenge for the lead entering the far turn. However, rounding into the stretch, Royal Delta swung very wide, dropped back to fourth in mid-stretch, and appeared to be languishing. In deep stretch, she regained momentum and commenced another rally, but she fell short, losing by a half-length to upset 10-1 winner Love and Pride. "I'm not going to make a lot of excuses", said jockey Mike Smith. "The winner ran a bang-up race. We got outrun. If I had to do it all over again, I would have rode her a little differently and got brave early." On September 29, Royal Delta showed her dominance while winning the grade I

Beldame Stakes The Beldame Stakes is an American Thoroughbred horse race for fillies and mares three-years-old and up. Inaugurated in 1939, it was run as a handicap prior to 1960. The race is held annually near the beginning of October at Belmont Park and curre ...

by 9 1/2 lengths over

It's Tricky "It's Tricky" is the fourth single released from Run-DMC's third album, ''Raising Hell''. It was released early in 1987 through Profile Records and was co-produced by Rick Rubin and the group themselves. The song peaked at 57 on the US ' ...

. She dueled with that rival until the head of the stretch, then cruised by easily to crush the field and finish geared-down. Her connections credited a change in her pre-race routine. "The other day (in the Personal Ensign), I kept trying to keep her quiet and keep her still and I think it just agitated her more and she got hot and got hot", said Smith. "So, today when she wanted to kick on, I just let her open up and gallop, let her open up coming back. She was much better. I learned a little something; I was glad Bill brought it to my attention. If that was the difference, I'm not sure, but she was really leading up to this race for this kind of a performance... she's coming around at the right time." On Friday, November 2, 2012, she traveled to

Santa Anita Park Santa Anita Park is a Thoroughbred racetrack in Arcadia, California, United States. It offers some of the prominent horse racing events in the United States during early fall, winter and in spring. The track is home to numerous prestigious races ...

to defend her

Breeders' Cup Ladies' Classic The Breeders' Cup Distaff is a Weight for Age Thoroughbred horse race for fillies and mares, 3 years old and up. Known as the Breeders' Cup Ladies' Classic between 2008 and 2012, it is held annually at a different racetrack in the United States or ...

title. In a field of nine that included five Grade I winners and two undefeated champions (

Awesome Feather Awesome Feather (March 15, 20082 March 2023) was an American Champion Thoroughbred racehorse who won the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies. She was bred and raced by Fred and Jane Brei's Jacks Or Better Farm Inc. and trained by Stanley Gold. Her ...

and My Miss Aurelia), Royal Delta was made the slight favorite over

Awesome Feather Awesome Feather (March 15, 20082 March 2023) was an American Champion Thoroughbred racehorse who won the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies. She was bred and raced by Fred and Jane Brei's Jacks Or Better Farm Inc. and trained by Stanley Gold. Her ...

. As the gates opened, she had the best break of her career and took the lead. After fractions of 22.6 and 45.8, jockey Mike Smith slowed down Royal Delta a bit and nursed her one-length lead. At the eighth pole, Include Me Out and My Miss Aurelia made bids into the stretch to try to catch the leader, but Royal Delta repelled all challengers and maintained her lead to win by 1 1/2 lengths over a game My Miss Aurelia. She finished the 1-1/8 mile race in 1:48.80 on a fast track. "I was a little concerned when they were throwing up those fractions, but she kept going and ran them off their feet", said Mott. For her accomplishments in 2012, she was named

American Champion Older Female Horse The Eclipse Award for Champion Older Dirt Female Horse is an American Thoroughbred horse racing honor awarded annually to a filly or mare, four years old and up, for performances on dirt and main track racing surfaces. In 1971, it became part of th ...

at the American

Eclipse Awards The Eclipse Award is an American Thoroughbred horse racing award named after the 18th-century British racehorse and sire, Eclipse. An Eclipse Award Trophy is presented to the winner in each division that is made by a few small selected American ...

, earning 231 of 253 votes.

2013: Five-year-old season

Royal Delta made her 2013 debut on February 17 in the Grade III

Sabin Stakes The Royal Delta Stakes is a Grade III American Thoroughbred horse race for fillies and mares that are four years old or older, over a distance of miles on the dirt held annually in February at Gulfstream Park in Hallandale Beach, Florida. The e ...

at

Gulfstream Park Gulfstream Park, owned by The Stronach Group, is a Thoroughbred race track, casino and outdoor entertainment and shopping destination in Hallandale Beach, Florida. Thoroughbred horse racing occurs year-round, defined by three distinct race meet ...

. She cruised to a five-length victory over four opponents including the Grade I winner Grace Hall. She completed the -mile race in 1:43.31 on a fast main track. Her next race was the Dubai World Cup, held on March 30 on a synthetic all-weather surface at

Meydan Racecourse Meydan Racecourse is a racecourse in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. The grandstand is over a mile in length, and can accommodate over 60,000 spectators. Meydan opened on 27 March 2010, replacing Nad Al Sheba Racecourse, which formerly occu ...

. She broke well and within a few strides went to the lead, which she held the around the clubhouse turn and all the way down the backstretch. Going into the final turn, she added a little distance between her and the field. As they rounded into the stretch,

2011 Kentucky Derby The 2011 Kentucky Derby was the 137th running of the Kentucky Derby, on May 7. The race was won by Animal Kingdom, ridden by John Velazquez, trained by H. Graham Motion and owned by Team Valor. "ESPN Animal Kingdom wins 137th Derby" ESPN. ...

winner Animal Kingdom came up to challenge her and went on to win. Royal Delta faded to tenth. "My trip was good," said Smith. "She just didn't seem to care for it. Every time she had to pick it up, she struggled. After four or five passed her, we were pretty much done – then we just got home safe." She came back to place second in the

Fleur de Lis Handicap The Fleur de Lis Stakes is a Grade III American Thoroughbred horse race for fillies and mares age three and older over a distance of miles on the dirt run annually in mid-June at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky. History The event was i ...

on June 15 at Churchill Downs. On July 20, she won her second

Delaware Handicap The Delaware Handicap is an American Thoroughbred horse race run annually in mid July at Delaware Park Racetrack in Wilmington, Delaware. The Grade 2 race is open to fillies and mares, age three and up, willing to race one and one-quarter miles o ...

by lengths in a wire-to-wire performance. "Dubai you have to draw a line through, and the other day she was second, but she did not bring her 'A' race", said Mott. "But she ran great today. She was training great coming into the race. Actually, a little too good, if there is such a thing. She was wanting to work a little fast but doing it the right way." On August 25, she won the

Personal Ensign Handicap The Personal Ensign Stakes is an American Grade I Thoroughbred horse race held annually during the third week of August at Saratoga Race Course in Saratoga Springs, New York. Open to fillies and Mares age three and older, it is contested at a dista ...

in another dominating performance. "She's a machine. Down the lane, she got to looking around the track a little bit, so I got after her just a little to keep her going", said Smith. "She's just so big. You hate for her to gear too much down and someone comes running. It's hard to get going again. Other than that, everything was wonderful." In order to ride her in the Personal Ensign, Smith gave up an opportunity to ride

Game On Dude Game On Dude (foaled April 26, 2007 in Kentucky) is a retired American Thoroughbred racehorse gelding. He won fourteen graded stakes races, including eight Grade I stakes: the Santa Anita Handicap in 2011, 2013, and 2014 the only horse to have won ...

in the

Pacific Classic The Pacific Classic Stakes is a Grade I American Thoroughbred horse race for three-year-olds and older over a distance of one and one quarter miles on the dirt track scheduled annually in August at Del Mar Racetrack in Del Mar, California. The even ...

that was held the same day in California. That horse's trainer,

Bob Baffert Robert A. Baffert (born January 13, 1953) is an American racehorse trainer who trained the 2015 Triple Crown winner American Pharoah and 2018 Triple Crown winner Justify. Baffert's horses have won a record six Kentucky Derbies, seven Preakne ...

, was philosophical about losing his preferred jockey, "...with the Mike Smith situation I knew we might have that day, knew it would come. You know, there's always a woman involved, and it was her." In the

Beldame Stakes The Beldame Stakes is an American Thoroughbred horse race for fillies and mares three-years-old and up. Inaugurated in 1939, it was run as a handicap prior to 1960. The race is held annually near the beginning of October at Belmont Park and curre ...

on September 28, Royal Delta finished second to

Kentucky Oaks The Kentucky Oaks is a Grade I stakes race for three-year-old Thoroughbred fillies staged annually in Louisville, Kentucky, United States. The race currently covers at Churchill Downs; the horses carry . The Kentucky Oaks is held on the Friday ...

winner

Princess of Sylmar Princess of Sylmar (foaled 27 March 2010) is an American-bred Thoroughbred racehorse. In 2013 she appeared to have established herself as the leading American filly of her generation with Grade I wins in the Kentucky Oaks, Coaching Club American ...

. "(Princess of Sylmar) got up to me at the quarter pole and just out-footed me to the wire today", said Smith. Royal Delta then trained up to the

Breeders' Cup Distaff The Breeders' Cup Distaff is a Weight for Age Thoroughbred horse race for fillies and mares, 3 years old and up. Known as the Breeders' Cup Ladies' Classic between 2008 and 2012, it is held annually at a different racetrack in the United States or ...

(formerly the Breeders' Cup Ladies Classic), held at

Santa Anita Park Santa Anita Park is a Thoroughbred racetrack in Arcadia, California, United States. It offers some of the prominent horse racing events in the United States during early fall, winter and in spring. The track is home to numerous prestigious races ...

on November 1. Seeking her third straight win in that event, she was made the favorite in a small but talented field that included graded stakes winners Beholder, Princess of Sylmar,

Close Hatches Close Hatches (foaled January 31, 2010) is a retired American Thoroughbred racehorse. Unraced as a two-year-old, she emerged as one of the leading fillies of her generation in the United States in 2013 when she won five of her eight races inclu ...

and Authenticity. Royal Delta raced behind Authenticity for the early lead but faded when challenged around the final turn by eventual winner Beholder. "She didn't have it today", said Smith. "No spark, man. Early on, I knew it. She usually takes the race to somebody, but not today. I thought when Beholder come up to her, she would pick it up, but she didn't. I asked and I asked and nothing. I'm kind of dumbfounded." Despite the disappointing performance in the Distaff, Royal Delta was again named Champion Older Female at the Eclipse Awards.

Death

Royal Delta was retired to broodmare duty for the 2014 season and was sent to Ireland to be bred to leading sire Galileo. However, she did not get in foal that year and miscarried the foal that was conceived in 2015. In 2016 she was bred back to Galileo and was pronounced in foal. On February 10, 2017 it was announced that Royal Delta died due to foaling complications. Her foal, a filly by Galileo, survived and was named Delta's Royalty. In 2015, Gulfstream Park renamed the

Sabin Stakes The Royal Delta Stakes is a Grade III American Thoroughbred horse race for fillies and mares that are four years old or older, over a distance of miles on the dirt held annually in February at Gulfstream Park in Hallandale Beach, Florida. The e ...

, which Royal Delta won in 2013, in her honor.

Pedigree

Royal Delta was sired by Empire Maker, who avenged his loss in the Kentucky Derby to

Funny Cide Funny Cide (foaled April 20, 2000) is a champion American Thoroughbred racehorse who won the 2003 Kentucky Derby and Preakness Stakes. He is the first New York-bred horse to win the Kentucky Derby. He was an immensely popular horse and remains a ...

with a commanding win in the

2003 Belmont Stakes The 2003 Belmont Stakes was the 135th running of the Belmont Stakes. The race, known as the "test of the champion" and sometimes called the "final jewel" in thoroughbred horse racing's Triple Crown of Thoroughbred Racing (United States), Triple C ...

. Empire Maker was one of the best performers of Kentucky Derby winner

Unbridled Unbridled (March 5, 1987 – October 18, 2001) was a champion American Thoroughbred racehorse who won the 1990 Kentucky Derby and Breeders' Cup Classic. He retired with a career record of eight wins, six places, and six shows in 24 starts, ...

, whose other leading offspring included important sire

Unbridled's Song Unbridled's Song (February 18, 1993 – July 26, 2013) was an American thoroughbred racehorse who won the Breeders' Cup Juvenile, Florida Derby and Wood Memorial. He was the favorite for the 1996 Kentucky Derby but suffered a cracked hoof in ...

. Empire Maker's dam

Toussaud Toussaud (May 6, 1989 – January 5, 2009) was a bay mare bred and raced by Juddmonte Farms. Sired by El Gran Senor out of an In Reality mare, Image of Reality, Toussaud achieved much on the track and in the breeding shed. Race career Toussa ...

was a Grade I winner who was named the

Kentucky Broodmare of the Year The Kentucky Broodmare of the Year is selected each year by the Kentucky Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association. The title is considered the highest honor an American thoroughbred broodmare can receive, as the majority of American breeding ...

after producing four Grade I winners. With his excellent race record, impressive appearance and impeccable breeding, expectations for Empire Maker at stud were extremely high. Although he proved fairly successful with his first few crops, Empire Maker was exported to Japan in 2010, shortly after his son Pioneerof the Nile finished second in the Kentucky Derby. Empire Maker later became known as a sire a classic distance winners on the dirt and was repatriated to the United States in 2015, not long after his grandson American Pharoah won the Triple Crown. Royal Delta's dam was Delta Princess, who won six stakes races before retiring to broodmare duty at Prince Saud bin Khaled's Kentucky farm, where she produced three graded stakes horses. Delta Princess was by another Belmont Stakes winner, leading sire

A.P. Indy A.P. Indy (March 31, 1989 – February 21, 2020) was an American Thoroughbred racehorse who won the Belmont Stakes and Breeders' Cup Classic on his way to American Horse of the Year honors in 1992. His time in the Belmont Stakes tied Easy Goer fo ...

. The combination of Empire Maker and an A.P. Indy mare created multiple crosses to

La Troienne La Troienne (1926–1954) was one of the most famous and influential Thoroughbred broodmares in twentieth century America. She produced 10 winners including two Hall of Fame inductees while at stud, while her daughters in turn produced many nota ...

, one of the most influential broodmares of the twentieth century. Royal Delta was

inbred Inbreeding is the production of offspring from the mating or breeding of individuals or organisms that are closely related genetically. By analogy, the term is used in human reproduction Human reproduction is sexual reproduction that result ...

4 x 4 to

Northern Dancer Northern Dancer (May 27, 1961 – November 16, 1990) was a Thoroughbred who, in 1964, became the first Canadian-bred horse to win the Kentucky Derby. He then became one of the most successful sires of the 20th century. He is considered a Canadi ...

, meaning Norther Dancer appears twice in the fourth generation of her pedigree.

References

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External links

Royal Delta's pedigree and racing record

Video on YouTube of Royal Delta winning the 2011 Black-Eyed Susan Stakes
2008 racehorse births 2017 racehorse deaths Racehorses bred in Kentucky Racehorses trained in the United States Breeders' Cup Distaff winners Thoroughbred family 20-a