Monomoy Girl a Dual Champion After Perfect Season

It's not unusual for a champion to return from a layoff. What's rare is when a champion is sidelined for 18 1/2 months by two separate injuries and then returns to the races better than ever.

It's an improbable tale, but one that was rewarded with an Eclipse Award Jan. 28 when Monomoy Girl was voted the champion older dirt female following an undefeated 2020 campaign capped by her second victory in the Longines Breeders' Cup Distaff (G1).

"She did everything better this year," trainer Brad Cox said about the Tapizar mare who raced for Monomoy Stables, Michael Dubb, Stuart Grant's The Elkstone Group, and Bethlehem Stables. "We could see it in her works and faster speed figures."

For Cox, bringing Monomoy Girl back to the races in superb form was not an easy feat. After taking the 2018 Distaff and winning the 3-year-old filly championship, she missed 2019 after suffering a mild case of colic and then a pulled muscle, setbacks that might have ended her career.

"I was fortunate that the ownership group gave us the opportunity to race her at 5," Cox said about a winner of 13 of 15 starts who has earned $4,426,818. "Most owners would have pulled the plug after our second failed try at a comeback. Hats off to them. Without them wanting to press forward and being great fans of racing, this never would have happened."

After opting for patience, some masterful work by Cox and his staff led to a four-for-four season with wins in an allowance optional claiming race, the Ruffian Stakes (G2), the La Troienne Stakes Presented by Oak Grove Racing and Gaming (G1), and the Distaff.

"To get her back to the grade 1 level was the biggest accomplishment ever for me and my team," Cox said. "After winning the La Troienne, the pressure was off, and the Breeders' Cup was icing on the cake."

That icing was a sweet 1 3/4-length victory in the Distaff as an even-money favorite that signed, sealed, and delivered her second Eclipse Award.

"It was such a gratifying experience," Cox said.

Even more gratifying was the news a day after the Distaff that Spendthrift Farm—which purchased the FPF and Highland Ranch-bred Monomoy Girl for $9.5 million at The November Sale, Fasig-Tipton's marquee breeding stock sale—was sending her back to Cox to race this year.

"It's such a pleasure to have her back in 2021," Cox said.