Champion British Idiom Dies in Japan

British Idiom , the champion 2-year-old filly of 2019, died Oct. 1 of 2021 in Japan, according to the Japanese Studbook Database.

TVG contributor Kaitlin Free first shared the news Jan. 21 via Twitter. A cause of death was not listed for the daughter of Flashback , who at 4 was in foal for the first time to Japanese champion Duramente after selling privately to Northern Farm. Duramente also died in 2021, aged 9, due to acute colic.

While checking Japanese breeding reports I discovered that Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies Winner British Idiom died on October 1st in Japan. Not quite sure what happened, will try to gather more information. She was in foal to Duramente.

— Kaitlin Free (@kaitlinefree) January 22, 2022

Bred in Kentucky by Hargus and Sandra Sexton and Silver Fern Farm out of the Mr. Sekiguchi mare Rose and Shine, British Idiom was a $40,000 purchase by X-Go Ranch from Warrendale Sales' consignment to the 2018 Fasig-Tipton Kentucky Fall Yearling Sale. The Flashback filly blitzed immediately from her maiden victory at first asking to top-level success for trainer Brad Cox in the 2019 Darley Alcibiades Stakes (G1) at Keeneland, then went on to capture the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies (G1) at Santa Anita Park in her next start. That neck victory over favored Donna Veloce  secured her Eclipse Award for Madaket Stables, Michael Dubb, and The Elkstone Group. 

British Idiom kicked off her sophomore campaign with a runner-up finish in the Rachel Alexandra Stakes Presented by Fasig-Tipton (G2) at Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots, but chipped an ankle in the Fantasy Stakes (G3) at Oaklawn Park and finished 10th. She retired with three wins and a second from five starts, with earnings of $1,442,139.