Queen’s Plate winner Moira , demoted from second to eighth for interference in the Oct. 8 E.P. Taylor Stakes (G1) at Woodbine, will pick up legendary European jockey Frankie Dettori for an intended start in the Nov. 5 Maker’s Mark Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Turf (G1T) at Keeneland, according to trainer Kevin Attard and managing ownership partner Donato Lanni. Dettori has also been given the ride on Attard’s other Breeders’ Cup starter, Last Call , in the Nov. 4 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf (G1T). Moira races for Lanni’s X-Men Racing, Madaket Stables, and SF Racing. X-Men Racing 2 and SF Racing own Last Call.
“We’re so pumped. We’re so excited—not to get him once, but to get him twice,” Lanni said. He calls Dettori “the greatest,” noting the rider’s worldwide achievements, which include winning more than 500 group races, including 14 Breeders’ Cup races. Only Mike Smith, John Velazquez, Jerry Bailey, and Joel Rosario have won more Breeders’ Cup events.
The Canadian-born Lanni, who realized his dream of winning the Queen’s Plate with Moira, is excited to share the upcoming experience with numerous Canadians in X-Men Racing, as well as with other partners from SF Racing and Madaket Stables. One of the sport’s most successful bloodstock agents, Lanni selected Moira and Last Call for the partners, believing they were suited to turf and synthetic racing at Woodbine. Moira was a $150,000 yearling purchase by Lanni from Hidden Brook’s consignment to the 2020 Keeneland September Yearling Sale, and Last Call was a $30,000 buy at Keeneland from the Four Stars Sales consignment in 2021.
“This is their first Breeders’ Cup,” Lanni said of the X-Men Racing group. “It’s going to be fun for a lot of these guys.”