Three-year-old filly Gezora got as good of an introduction to the United States as possible Nov. 1 when she visited the winner's circle at Del Mar after prevailing in the Breeders' Cup Filly and Mare Turf (G1T). Now, the plan is for her to chase more American-based winner's circles at age 4.
In news first reported by Daily Racing Form, Gezora will move from the French yard of trainer Francis-Henri Graffard to the stateside stables of five-time Eclipse Award-winning trainer Chad Brown.
Owner Peter Brant told BloodHorse Nov. 9 the plan always called for the daughter of Almanzor to remain in the United States immediately following the Breeders' Cup to rest. Given that she has already proven herself as a top filly in France, Brant saw it as an opportunity to now prove herself on another continent.
"We thought she's already done a lot in France; there's a lot to do here," Brant said. "In her family, she has a number of horses that have run very well in the United States."
A group 3 winner at 2, she won the Prix Saint-Alary (G2) and Prix de Diane (G1) this spring before running a solid second in her first try against elders, the Prix Vermeille (G1).
In the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe (G1), she drew a poor post in the 13 and jockey Tom Marquand was unable to work out a comfortable trip. However, she kept good condition exiting the race, giving Brant and Graffard the confidence to push on to Del Mar.
"I was impressed with the Prix Diane and the (Prix Saint-Alary); she beat some very top horses there," Brant said. "(In the Arc) that's a place where the post position is very important in that race, especially with the new layout there at Longchamp. She had run in that race and only lost a few kilos, much less than we anticipated. We just thought put a line through it. ... Francis wanted to run her in the Breeders' Cup, so we did. She beat the best horses in the Breeders' Cup, that's for sure."
After running down She Feels Pretty, one of America's most talented and consistent female turf horses, by a half-length in the Breeders' Cup, Gezora seems poised for a strong 2026 campaign.
"There are very few horses that win the Prix Diane in June and then win the Breeders' Cup. It's not an easy task," Brant said. "She's a very handy filly and she likes the turns. As we could see in that race, she was fantastic around the turns. She's not distance restricted; she's won from a mile on. We're looking forward to her getting climatized here in the United States."
Gezora has returned to Kentucky where she came through her vet checks in "flying colors," according to Brant. She will now have about five weeks of relaxation at Dell Ridge Farm before joining Brown at Payson Park Training Center in South Florida. There, Brown will begin to prepare her for a spring return.
"She fills a nice void because I've had some good horses retire," Brown said. "To get a filly like this is a big boost to build our stable around for next year. We're very fortunate."
Brant said Gezora will likely race four or five times in 2026, hopefully culminating in a title defense of the Breeders' Cup Filly and Mare Turf at Keeneland to cap her career.
