Delahaye got a beautiful stalking trip from jockey Tyler Gaffalione on her way to posting a half-length victory in the Listed Tom Benson Memorial Stakes at Fair Grounds on Saturday, 23 March.
The four-year-old Medaglia d’Oro filly, who has never finished worse than second in four career starts, earned her first Stakes win in the mile-and-a-sixteenth turf contest.
Delahaye broke alertly under jockey Joel Rosario and went immediately up to challenge for the lead before settling into second, content to press the early pace set by Not So Close. Delahaye made her bid on the far turn, wresting a narrow lead away from Not So Close. Delahaye continued to inch away through the stretch and held off a late challenge from Join the Dance for the victory.
Delahaye was bred in Kentucky by Three Chimneys Farm, and races in a partnership with Three Chimneys and William Lawrence. Her dam, Bella Carina (War Front), is an unraced half-sister to multiple Graded Stakes winners Malibu Prayer (G1 Ruffian, G2 Chilukki) and Valid (G2 Monmouth Cup Stakes). The female family also boasts Graded Stakes winners Swagger Jack (G1) and Tap Dance (G2).
Medaglia d’Oro continues to sire winners and his progeny now have 1,169 victories worldwide, including 177 Stakes race winners of 374 Black Type races.
The stallion is also the sire of Hong Kong superstar Golden Sixty, who won his third consecutive G1 Hong Kong Mile earlier this year.
Medaglia d’Oro is standing the 2024 breeding season at Jonabell Farm in Kentucky for $75,000, stands and nurses.
