Oxley 'Grateful' for Sierra Leone's 4-Year-Old Campaign

Owner/breeder Debby Oxley may have a mere 20 mares on the farm and a few graded stakes winners to her credit as an owner, but the impact of her breeding operation—the same quality-over-quantity boutique enterprise that bred 2024 Breeders' Cup Classic (G1) winner Sierra Leone—has been nothing short of potent, dating back to her beloved foundation mare Darling My Darling, who unfortunately shuffled off her mortal coil at the age of 28 on April 7. "I'm so proud of my mare, Darling My Darling, who was such a great girl and I miss her," Oxley said. "We unfortunately lost her to old age earlier this year, but she was such a joy. Even as late as last year around the (Kentucky) Derby, people were amazed at how good she looked, as she had excellent care and brought us so much." Fifth in the 1999 Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies (G1) in Oxley's pink and black colors, Darling My Darling would go on to produce Oxley's grade 1 winner Heavenly Love, who finished 11th in the 2017 Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies before producing Sierra Leone, who was sold for $2.3 million at Fasig-Tipton's 2022 The Saratoga Sale. "It's just been a marvelous experience to watch him," Oxley explained. "When you breed horses, sell them, and they go to a trainer, you sometimes don't know exactly what is happening, but we knew Sierra Leone was special and were so glad that he went to such a good trainer in Chad Brown. When he got his first start, we were just excited that he got to the races, but to follow his career from the beginning to now and see what he's done, it's just been a joy. He's been such a consistent horse and always comes running. Even if he doesn't win, he always hits the board. "Last year, we were hopeful in the Classic, but you never know when they are a 3-year-old running against older horses," Oxley continued. "It was a very pleasant and exciting surprise because, while I thought he would hit the board because he's been so consistent, the question was if he would have enough pace to run at and would he get there in time. It's definitely hard on the heart to watch him with his late-running style, but my husband and I were standing in front of the TV just screaming so much during the race when he won that I was hoarse the next day. It was just really thrilling to see it all come together." Being exceptional has been associated with Sierra Leone since Day One. "When he was a baby, he was always laid back and had a presence about him," Oxley reflected. "He was a really well put-together, nice-looking horse, and when you have a farm and a good-looking, nice one like him, you can't always keep them and economics say you have to let this one go—but we were very thrilled with the price he brought at the sale, and we were so happy that he went to a good home. "I must say I really am grateful to his ownership group for letting him run as a 4-year-old," she continued. "It's been so much fun to watch and to win the Whitney this year was such a thrill. We have been lucky enough to see him run a few times and make some great memories, especially when he won the Blue Grass, which was special because it proved he belonged in the Kentucky Derby, and the Derby, itself, what a race!" The icing atop Oxley's Darling My Darling cake comes by way of her grade 2-winning daughter Forever Darling, who was sold as a yearling and would eventually end up in Japan, producing Saudi Cup (G1) winner and 2024 Classic third Forever Young (JPN). This, of course, is the same Forever Young who played a game of shoulder-smash with his aforementioned cousin in the 2024 Kentucky Derby before the duo finished third and second in an unforgettable three-horse photo finish astern Mystik Dan. "It has been great to see Forever Young do so well," Oxley said. "I definitely cheer for him because it's all in the family and reminds us of how great of a mare Darling My Darling was. We have enjoyed seeing him win around the world and now he's back here for the Breeders' Cup, so we'd love to see (Sierra Leone and Forever Young) finish one-two." Sovereignty Headlines Monday's Work Tab Kentucky Derby, Belmont Stakes (G1), and Travers Stakes (G1) victor Sovereignty went four furlongs Monday at Del Mar, completing his work in :49 4/5. Neil Poznansky, the assistant to trainer Bill Mott, was in the irons ahead of the Nov. 1 Breeders' Cup Classic. Mott said that Sovereignty went easy and the work "felt like an open gallop." "I don't like to use the word 'maintenance' work because everyone uses that so I am not going to use that," Mott said to describe the work. "We know the horse is talented, and we just want to keep him fit and let him do enough where he is happy, and let him stretch his lungs out a little bit and have him ready for Saturday. I liked what I saw today. We'll see if we take him out tomorrow. We don't want to get him too high. Sometimes, just getting him out there and moving around a little is good … same as any athlete, I guess." Pair of Breeders' Cup Distaff Runners Work Another Mott trainee, Scylla, worked four furlongs in :46 3/5 in preparation for Saturday's Breeders' Cup Distaff (G1). "People might worry it's too fast for her," Mott said of Scylla's time. "It is fast, but she can do that. Neil thought she was doing it within herself. She was carrying him along; he didn't ask her. He said he took another hold on her as she turned for home. If she had gone :49, I would have been pleased. We had the blinkers on her today, and I think she had her game face on when she went to the track." Meanwhile, Sarawak Rim (ARG) completed the same four furlongs in :48 4/5. Trainer Ignacio Correas IV was impressed with the Remote (GB) filly's effort. "It was a beauty; perfectly done," he said of her work. "I don't know about anybody else, but it looked great to me." Way to Be Marie No Longer Under Consideration Robert LaPenta and Madaket Stables' Way to Be Marie, who was fourth on the preference list for the oversubscribed Breeders' Cup Filly and Mare Turf (G1T), was withdrawn from consideration for the race and was not on the plane Monday morning bringing horses from Kentucky to Del Mar. Trainer Rob Atras said the uncertainty of making the main draw of the field was the reason for the withdrawal. The following pre-entered horses breezed Monday: