Gezora is headed to the United States, where she will continue her racing career under the care of Chad Brown
- Turf Diario
- 4 days ago
- 2 min read
The Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Turf winner will leave Francis-Henri Graffard’s yard in France
NEW YORK (Special to Turf Diario)—Gezora (Almanzor) made a spectacular U.S. debut on Nov. 1 when capturing the Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Turf (G1) at Del Mar, and her immediate future will remain stateside. The French filly will leave the yard of Francis-Henri Graffard to continue her career under Chad Brown.
The news—first reported by the Daily Racing Form and later confirmed by BloodHorse—was validated by owner Peter Brant, who noted that the long-term plan always involved keeping Gezora in the United States following the Breeders’ Cup to rest and prepare for the next phase of her campaign.
“We felt she had done plenty in France, and there is a lot for her to accomplish here,” Brant said. “Her family includes several horses who performed extremely well in the U.S. It was the ideal moment to try her on a different stage.”
A G3 winner at two, Gezora enjoyed a standout 2025 European campaign, taking the Prix Saint-Alary (G2) and the Prix de Diane (G1) before finishing second in the Prix Vermeille (G1)—her first try against older mares. She drew the awkward post 13 in the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe (G1) and never secured a comfortable position, yet exited the race in excellent shape, encouraging connections to pursue the American venture.
“She really impressed me in the Diane and the Saint-Alary; she beat top-class fillies,” Brant added. “In the Arc, the start is everything—especially with the new ParisLongchamp configuration. She came out of the race better than expected, and when Francis wanted to go to the Breeders’ Cup, we agreed. She beat the best mares in the world, no question.”
Under Mickael Barzalona, Gezora surged past She Feels Pretty (Karakontie) in the final strides to win the Filly & Mare Turf by half a length, cementing a campaign of the highest caliber.
“Very few fillies win the Diane in June and then the Breeders’ Cup; it’s no easy feat,” Brant reflected. “She’s very tractable, handles tight turns beautifully—she proved that at Del Mar. Distance isn’t an issue for her; she’s won from a mile and up. We expect her to acclimate well here.”
After her victory, Gezora shipped to Kentucky, where she passed all veterinary evaluations “in excellent condition,” according to Brant. She will enjoy a five-week break at Dell Ridge Farm before joining Payson Park Training Center in Florida, where Brown will begin preparing her for the spring.
“She arrives at a perfect time for the stable, because several of our good mares have retired,” Brown said. “Having a champion like her is a tremendous boost heading into 2026. We’re very fortunate.”
The tentative plan calls for four or five starts in 2026, with the ultimate objective of defending her Filly & Mare Turf (G1) title, this time at Keeneland, where she could cap a brief but truly brilliant international career.
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