Pretty Mischievous Crowned Champion 3YO Filly

Kentucky Oaks (G1) victress Pretty Mischievous  was crowned champion 3-year-old female after scoring three grade 1 wins during her 2023 campaign.

A stunning physical specimen, Pretty Mischievous was bred to be a queen. The Godolphin colorbearer is a product of perennial leading sire Into Mischief   and the grade 1-winning Tapit   mare and $3.5 million acquisition Pretty City Dancer .

Although trainer Brendan Walsh called the filly a star from day one, the plucky Pretty Mischievous had to prove her naysayers wrong time and time again throughout 2023. After beginning her season at Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots with a decisive win in the Rachel Alexandra Stakes (G2) and runner-up finish in the Fair Grounds Oaks (G2), she went off at odds of 10-1 in the Kentucky Oaks while her stablemate Wet Paint  was sent to post as the favorite.

Under a masterful ride from Tyler Gaffalione, Pretty Mischievous grabbed the lead turning for home and held all comers at bay, prevailing by a neck to become Godolphin's first Kentucky Oaks winner.

"We had multiple highlights throughout the year but (the Kentucky Oaks win) was definitely one at the top of the list," Godolphin USA director of bloodstock Michael Banahan said. "To win the Oaks with a homebred filly was extremely special and it was just a big team effort; for all the people who raised Pretty Mischievous from the time she was foaled to all the way through."

Brought back a month later in Belmont Park's Acorn Stakes (G1), the bay filly made it a nail-biter once more but eked out a victory by a head margin.

"She's a fighter; she never wins by too far but she's always right there," Banahan said. "Tyler Gaffalione knows her very well and even though she's in all those tight finishes he always has a lot of confidence in her."

Shortened up to seven furlongs for Saratoga Race Course's prestigious Test Stakes (G1), Pretty Mischievous found herself in the winner's circle again in a race marred by the tragedy of Maple Leaf Mel. The next day, Walsh delivered the winning Test flowers to the connections of Maple Leaf Mel in a highly publicized and heartwarming gesture. (Maple Leaf Mel is a finalist in the 2023 female sprinter division.)

Pretty Mischievous would conclude her championship season in the $1 million Cotillion Stakes (G1) at Parx Racing, where she fell a half-length short of catching the front-running Ceiling Crusher  in a valiant effort over a sloppy track.

From six starts, she crossed the wire first four times and was never worse than second.

"Last year was a phenomenal ride. We're very proud of her. To run in six races last year and win three grade 1s and a grade 2 was super," Banahan said. "It would've been nice to have run in the Breeders' Cup but Brendan (Walsh) felt she wasn't quite 100% and so we didn't want to run her in there not being able to be her best. We're very much looking forward to her having a big campaign as a 4-year-old."