Seismic Beauty a Breeders' Cup First for Breeder Dorman

A year ago, Matt Dorman of Determined Stud thought he had bred his first Breeders' Cup runner. But after making the also-eligible list for the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf (G1T), Sabertooth was scratched and raced in the Future Stars Friday undercard. But now, if all things go according to plan, the Maryland-based Dorman will get that first-time Breeders' Cup runner at Del Mar when Seismic Beauty gets the start in the Breeders' Cup Distaff (G1). She is one of three Maryland-breds racing in Breeders' Cup contests, joining Mindframe in the Breeders' Cup Classic (G1) and Splendora in the Breeders' Cup Filly and Mare Sprint (G1). Seismic Beauty is the 9-5 morning-line favorite in the field of 13 for the Distaff that includes the likes of Dorth Vader and Nitrogen. "She just had a great temperament, stood up quickly," Dorman recalled of Seismic Beauty. "She was a little rambunctious, but still just had that class that you can kind of see; it's hard to quantify. And then once we shifted her down to Kentucky, she continued to just flourish." By Uncle Mo and out of the Medaglia d'Oro mare Knarsdale, the 4-year-old filly has had a fantastic year. She's never missed the board in five starts (3-1-1). After three allowance optional claiming races, the last of which was a win, she posted consecutive graded victories. She was impressive in a 5-length romp in the Santa Margarita Stakes (G2) before beating millionaire Kopion in the Clement L. Hirsch Stakes (G1) by a length and a half. Dorman commended trainer Bob Baffert's patient approach with the filly. "I think Bob has done a phenomenal job," he said. "I think he wrongly has a reputation of just getting really fast 2-year-olds and working the horses hard. Bob was incredibly patient with this horse... He knew that she was going to come around. He knew that she wasn't going to be early." She first entered the sales ring as a weanling in 2021 Fasig-Tipton's The November Sale. Dorman sold her through the Scott Mallory consignment for $400,000 to Glen Hill Farm. A year later, Glen Hill sold her to Peter Leidel and MyRacehorse for $550,000 at the 2022 Keeneland September Yearling Sale. Fast-forward four years, and Dorman is building a broodmare band, the kind that would do nicely with a filly like Seismic Beauty. But hindsight is 20/20. Where he and his operation were when he decided to sell her is light years from where it is today. "At the time, it was absolutely the right decision," Dorman said. "The 'business' was just getting started. Wanted to get some cash flow, wanted to get some exposure, and so it made sense. Obviously, if I could go back and still know what I know, there's no way we would have sold her." There is always the opportunity to get her back. She is entered in Fasig-Tipton's November sale Nov. 2 as a racing/broodmare prospect, consigned by Gainesway as Hip 144. But a reunion seems unlikely for now. "I think that may happen down the road. … When she goes through the ring next week, I think she's going to have a very healthy value," Dorman said. "We'll be there, and we'll be thinking about it and active. "I think she's going to end up going for a significant amount, and probably to somebody else. And that's okay." Whoever that might be, they might be buying a Breeders' Cup winner. Something Dorman hopes to witness in person Saturday at Del Mar. Even though Seismic Beauty is no longer his, there is immense pride in having a hand in her journey. Getting to the Breeders' Cup is no easy task. "There's significant appreciation for all the people along the way. A lot of people get all caught up in the excitement of the Breeders' Cup and I think it's important to note all the folks that contribute to get a horse to any track in any race, much less the Breeders' Cup," Dorman said. "And right now, the favorite in what people refer to as the female Classic, for us, is the Super Bowl. So we're excited."