Scylla, Perfect Redemption for Bill Mott as Sarawak Rim Passes the Test
- Turf Diario
- 2 days ago
- 4 min read
The Juddmonte mare delivered a tremendous lift for Bill Mott, who endured the week’s disappointment of losing Sovereignty, while the Argentine Sarawak Rim closed strongly late, running a solid race in her U.S. debut
By Diego H. Mitagstein (Special Correspondent for Turf Diario at Del Mar, California)
DEL MAR, California — Had someone told Bill Mott a week ago that he’d return to the winner’s circle at the Breeders’ Cup on Saturday, the Hall of Fame trainer would have assumed it would be thanks to a third career victory in the GI Breeders’ Cup Classic with his star, the brilliant Sovereignty (Into Mischief). But fate had other plans.
Last Wednesday, Mott announced with visible disappointment that Sovereignty would be scratched due to fever—a major blow, not only for his barn but for the entire industry, which had been eagerly awaiting his showdown in the “Classic of Classics.” Yet the veteran horseman stayed the course at Del Mar, and the decision paid off spectacularly. Scylla (Tapit–Close Hatches, by First Defence), bred and raced by Juddmonte, produced a commanding, wire-to-wire victory in the GI Longines Breeders’ Cup Distaff, capturing the lion’s share of the $2-million purse and writing another brilliant chapter in her family’s storied legacy.
For South American fans, the race also held special meaning. Argentine mare Sarawak Rim (Remote), making her North American debut for Ignacio Correas IV, finished a respectable seventh, just under 15 lengths behind the winner, in what can only be described as a promising first effort at this elite level.
Ridden by Irad Ortiz Jr., Sarawak Rim broke last and was pinned inside early, but her team expected as much. The biggest question was how she’d adapt to the blazing American pace, and Ortiz wisely stuck to the plan—letting her find her rhythm before unleashing her late run. She gained ground steadily in the lane, passing five rivals, including three Grade I winners, among them morning-line favorite Seismic Beauty (Uncle Mo).
While her connections had hoped to see her closer early, the outcome was encouraging and opens the door to meaningful future opportunities—assuming she isn’t sold this Tuesday at Keeneland. The race also marked the official retirement of Ignacio Correas IV, who returns to Argentina after 24 years abroad, closing a remarkable career that forever cemented his place in the annals of South American racing.
As for the winner, Mott reflected on a week that spanned heartbreak and redemption. “It’s been a week of mixed emotions,” he admitted. “Losing Sovereignty was a huge disappointment, but you have to accept what comes your way. He simply couldn’t run. Today was Scylla’s day—Junior [Alvarado] rode her perfectly, and she did this for all of us.”
And what a performance it was. Sent off at 15-1, Scylla ran like a favorite, giving Mott his sixth Distaff victory, joining the likes of Ajina (Strawberry Road, 1997), Escena (Strawberry Road, 1998), Unrivaled Belle (Unbridled’s Song, 2010), and the great Royal Delta (Empire Maker, 2011–12).
The complexion of the race changed instantly at the break when heavy favorite Seismic Beauty stumbled badly and lost all chance. Scylla capitalized immediately, taking the lead while being pressed by Gin Gin (Hightail), setting sharp early fractions of :22.27 and :45.75. Turning for home, Nitrogen (Medaglia d’Oro) tried to challenge, but Scylla responded with power, drawing clear under Junior Alvarado to win by 5½ lengths in 1:48.07 for the 1800 meters.
With Juddmonte’s signature fuchsia and green silks glinting in the Pacific sunshine, Scylla delivered a moment of poetic justice—turning a week of frustration into triumph.
“I knew halfway around the turn I had a lot of horse,” said Alvarado, who also rides Sovereignty. “When we straightened up, she found another gear, like she was just getting started. It was a breathtaking race.”
Mott added, “She did it all on her own. Junior had the good sense to let her roll when she wanted. There’s always a risk of going too fast, but he judged it perfectly. When I saw her turning for home with two lengths in hand, I knew they wouldn’t catch her.”
Behind her, Nitrogen held second, with Regaled (Mohaymen) third and Clicquot (Quality Road) fourth, while Seismic Beauty and Gin Gin were eased out without incident.
For Juddmonte, the victory marked its eighth Breeders’ Cup win as breeder and 11th as owner, reaffirming the enduring excellence of one of the sport’s most iconic breeding operations. Fittingly, Scylla is closely related to Idiomatic (Curlin), who captured this very race in 2023.
Her pedigree glitters with class. Dam Close Hatches (First Defence), also trained by Mott, was the 2014 Champion Older Mare and runner-up to Beholder (Henny Hughes) in the 2013 Distaff. She has also produced multiple Grade I winner Tacitus, a full brother to Scylla, and traces back to the great Best in Show, the 1982 Broodmare of the Year.
For Tapit, now 24, Scylla’s victory marked his eighth Breeders’ Cup win and second in the Distaff—after Untapable (2014)—tying him for second among all-time leading sires at the Championships. With 171 stakes winners and more than 100 graded victors, his legacy continues to grow.
“From the day she was born, we knew Scylla was special,” said Garrett O’Rourke, general manager of Juddmonte USA. “She was exactly what we hoped for when planning that mating. Close Hatches never had a bad day, and Scylla inherited every bit of her quality. She represents everything that defines Juddmonte.”
For Bill Mott, who came to Del Mar burdened by the loss of his stable star, Scylla’s triumph provided both emotional and professional vindication. There was no Sovereignty, but there was redemption—delivered by another homegrown champion, one that turned heartbreak into history and reaffirmed the quiet brilliance of a Hall of Famer still at the top of his game.
