On July 24, Moira starred in two acts of a two-part play set at the Woodbine Oaks Presented by Budweiser. In Act I, the temperamental filly played the diva in the paddock, managing to lose one hind shoe and bending the other beyond the ability of the paddock blacksmith to fix in the time available. After a brief consultation with trainer Kevin Attard, the filly went to the post with both hind feet unshod. That led to Act II, in which the barefooted filly made a walk in the park of Canada's top filly Classic. Assuming the lead around the final turn, Moira drew off effortlessly to win by nearly 11 lengths in 1:49.78. It was the third win from four starts for the daughter of Ghostzapper, whose only loss came in last year's Mazarine Stakes (CAN-G3) when she was beaten half a length by Canadian champion 2-year-old filly Mrs. Barbara.
Moira descends from 1940 Coaching Club American Oaks winner Damaged Goods through her great-granddaughter Begum (by Alydar). Blind from birth, Begum never raced but produced two multiple graded-placed listed stakes winners in Binalong (by Known Fact) and Songlines (by Diesis). Songlines, in turn, produced stakes winner Make My Heart Sing (by King of Kings) and is the third dam of 2012 Donn Handicap (USA-G1) winner Hymn Book, 2012 Maker's 46 Mile Stakes (USA-G1) winner Data Link, and Grade 3 winner Strike the Bell. Begum is also the dam of stakes-placed Badawi (by Diesis), dam of Group 1-placed listed stakes winner Badminton (by Zieten) and the third dam of English Group 2 winner Gustavus Weston.
Begum has also had success through her three unraced daughters, beginning with Arjunand. A full sister to Songlines and Badawi, Arjunand is the dam of listed stakes winners Dynamist and Dyna's Destiny, both by Dynaformer, and is also the second dam of 2020 Astra Stakes (USA-G3) winner Ms Peintour. Begum is also the dam of Sahibah (by Deputy Minister), dam of 2008 Las Palmas Handicap (USA-G2) winner Roshani (by Fantastic Light).
Rajmati, Begum's 1993 daughter by Known Fact, also did well during her time in the paddocks, producing 2000 Hollywood Oaks (USA-G2) winner Kumari Continent (by Kris S.) and 2008 La Habra Stakes (USA-G3) winner Passion (by Came Home). The last-named mare is the dam of Grade 2-placed multiple listed stakes winner Devine Aida (by Unbridled's Song), who produced stakes winner Jungle Cry (by Animal Kingdom) as her second foal and Moira as her third. Devine Act's more recent foals are Moira's 2020 full brother Runaway Charlie (now working toward his first start), a 2021 filly by Ghostzapper that died, and a 2022 colt by Sir Prancealot.
Begum is not in the class of the great matriarchs of the breed as yet, but with her descendants breeding on through all six of her daughters, her burgeoning family is certainly moving in the right direction. As for Moira, she is still maturing mentally and physically in the manner of most of the Ghostzappers, which generally need some time to reach their best. That may not be good news for the colts in the Queen's Plate on August 21, for Moira still had enough energy left after her runaway in the Oaks to push her people around and leap into the bushes around the winner's circle during the post-race ceremony. A decision regarding the Queen's Plate is still pending, but if the feisty filly goes there, she is likely to ensure that the race is no walk in the park for any other horse.
Moira descends from 1940 Coaching Club American Oaks winner Damaged Goods through her great-granddaughter Begum (by Alydar). Blind from birth, Begum never raced but produced two multiple graded-placed listed stakes winners in Binalong (by Known Fact) and Songlines (by Diesis). Songlines, in turn, produced stakes winner Make My Heart Sing (by King of Kings) and is the third dam of 2012 Donn Handicap (USA-G1) winner Hymn Book, 2012 Maker's 46 Mile Stakes (USA-G1) winner Data Link, and Grade 3 winner Strike the Bell. Begum is also the dam of stakes-placed Badawi (by Diesis), dam of Group 1-placed listed stakes winner Badminton (by Zieten) and the third dam of English Group 2 winner Gustavus Weston.
Begum has also had success through her three unraced daughters, beginning with Arjunand. A full sister to Songlines and Badawi, Arjunand is the dam of listed stakes winners Dynamist and Dyna's Destiny, both by Dynaformer, and is also the second dam of 2020 Astra Stakes (USA-G3) winner Ms Peintour. Begum is also the dam of Sahibah (by Deputy Minister), dam of 2008 Las Palmas Handicap (USA-G2) winner Roshani (by Fantastic Light).
Rajmati, Begum's 1993 daughter by Known Fact, also did well during her time in the paddocks, producing 2000 Hollywood Oaks (USA-G2) winner Kumari Continent (by Kris S.) and 2008 La Habra Stakes (USA-G3) winner Passion (by Came Home). The last-named mare is the dam of Grade 2-placed multiple listed stakes winner Devine Aida (by Unbridled's Song), who produced stakes winner Jungle Cry (by Animal Kingdom) as her second foal and Moira as her third. Devine Act's more recent foals are Moira's 2020 full brother Runaway Charlie (now working toward his first start), a 2021 filly by Ghostzapper that died, and a 2022 colt by Sir Prancealot.
Begum is not in the class of the great matriarchs of the breed as yet, but with her descendants breeding on through all six of her daughters, her burgeoning family is certainly moving in the right direction. As for Moira, she is still maturing mentally and physically in the manner of most of the Ghostzappers, which generally need some time to reach their best. That may not be good news for the colts in the Queen's Plate on August 21, for Moira still had enough energy left after her runaway in the Oaks to push her people around and leap into the bushes around the winner's circle during the post-race ceremony. A decision regarding the Queen's Plate is still pending, but if the feisty filly goes there, she is likely to ensure that the race is no walk in the park for any other horse.
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