Bernardini records 12th career G1 winner and third in past four weeks

Rachel’s Valentina lived up to her pedigree when she came from just off the pace to win the G1 Spinaway Stakes by a length at Saratoga, September 5. It was just the second career start for the two-year-old daughter of Bernardini, who is out of Medaglia d'Oro's Horse of the Year Rachel Alexandra.

Sitting just off the pace in third throughout the early stages of the race, Rachel’s Valentina took command in the stretch and was able to hold off the late charge of Tap To It to win by a length.

Rachel’s Valentina was bred in Kentucky and races for her breeder, Stonestreet Farm. She is the second foal and second winner out of 2009 Horse of the Year, Rachel Alexandra who romped home by over 20 lengths in the G1 Kentucky Oaks, and later went on to defeat males in both the G1 Preakness and G1 Woodward Stakes during her championship season. Rachel Alexandra is also the dam of Jess’s Dream, winner of his career debut at Saratoga in August.

Rachel’s Valentina became the third G1 winner in the past four weeks for Bernardini following the wins of Cavorting in the G1 Test Stakes at Saratoga and Boban's fifth G1 victory in the Memsie Stakes at Caulfield seven days ago.

Bernardini is standing at Kelvinside at a fee of $27,500 inc. GST.