Serengeti Empress (USA)
January 30, 2016 – Living
Alternation (USA) x Havisham (USA), by Bernardini (USA)
Family 16-e
January 30, 2016 – Living
Alternation (USA) x Havisham (USA), by Bernardini (USA)
Family 16-e
After winning the 2018 Pocahontas Stakes (USA-G2) by 19½ lengths, Serengeti Empress was marked as a filly of more than ordinary ability. Her road to the 2019 Longines Kentucky Oaks (USA-G1) was marked by a major scare as she bled in her final prep race, the Fair Grounds Oaks (USA-G2) on March 23, and ended up being vanned off after finishing last of seven. Her Kentucky Oaks status was day-by-day after that, but Serengeti Empress checked off every box, turned in two very sharp works to conclude her preparation, and scored a front-running victory at 13-1 odds in the “Lilies for the Fillies.” At 4, she added a gutsy score in the Ballerina Stakes (USA-G1) at Saratoga before retiring to a new career as a broodmare.
Race record
19 starts, 7 wins, 5 seconds, 1 thirds, US$2,175,653
2018:
2019:
2020:
Honors
Assessments
Rated at 116 pounds on the 2019 Longines World’s Best Racehorse Rankings, 12 pounds below overall highweights Crystal Ocean (the European highweight or co-highweight older male at 9.5-14F) and Enable (the European Horse of the Year).
Rated at 115 pounds on the 2020 Longines World’s Best Racehorse Rankings, 15 pounds below overall highweight Ghaiyyath (the European Horse of the Year) and 9 pounds below the top filly or mare, Almond Eye (the Japanese Horse of the Year).
As an individual
A short-backed dark bay or brown mare with a deep, well-laid shoulder, a deep girth, a strong hip, and good substance without coarseness, Serengeti Empress was a confirmed front runner but was game when hooked. She loves peppermints as treats and enjoys human attention.
As a producer
Serengeti Empress produced her first foal, a colt by Into Mischief, in 2022. Due to a difficult foaling and the need for recovery time, she was not bred for 2023.
Connections
Bred by Tri Eques Bloodstock (KY). Foaled January 30, 2016. A $70,000 yearling at the 2017 Keeneland September yearling sale, she is owned by orthopedic surgeon Joel Politi. She was trained by Tom Amoss and was ridden to her Kentucky Oaks score by José Ortiz.
Pedigree notes
Sired by multiple Grade 2 winner Alternation (by Distorted Humor), Serengeti Empress is inbred 3x4 to 1977 American Horse of the Year Seattle Slew. Her dam Havisham never raced but is out of 2007 Manuel J. Guiraldes (ARG-G3) winner Love Dancing (by 1991 Hopeful Stakes, USA-G1, winner Salt Lake). Love Dancing, in turn, is out of 1992 Polla de Potrancas de La Plata (ARG-G2) winner Le Midi (by the important Argentine sire Fitzcarraldo), whose dam Le Tempestad was sired by 1970 Polla de Potriilos (Argentine Two Thousand Guineas) winner Cipol.
Books and media
The New York Racing Association’s footage of Serengeti Empress’s win in the 2020 Ballerina Stakes can be viewed at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=upoq_q4hBFg.
Fun facts
Last updated: February 23, 2023
Race record
19 starts, 7 wins, 5 seconds, 1 thirds, US$2,175,653
2018:
- Won Pocahontas Stakes (USA-G2, 8.5FD, Churchill Downs)
- Won Ellis Park Debutante Stakes (USA, 7FD, Ellis Park)
2019:
- Won Longines Kentucky Oaks (USA-G1, 9FD, Churchill Downs)
- Won Rachel Alexandra Stakes (USA-G2, 8.5FD, Fair Grounds)
- 2nd Acorn Stakes (USA-G1, 8FD, Belmont)
- 2nd Longines Test Stakes (USA-G1, 7FD, Saratoga)
- 3rd Longines Breeders' Cup Distaff (USA-G1, 9FD, Saratoga)
2020:
- Won Ballerina Stakes (USA-G1, 7FD, Saratoga)
- Won Azeri Stakes (USA-G2, 8.5FD, Oaklawn Park)
- 2nd Breeders' Cup Filly and Mare Sprint (USA-G1, 7FD, Keeneland)
- 2nd Derby City Distaff Stakes. (USA-G1, 7FD, Churchill Downs)
- 2nd Houston Ladies Classic Stakes (USA-G3, 8.5FD, Houston)
Honors
- Eclipse Award finalist, American champion 3-year-old filly (2019)
- Eclipse Award finalist, American champion female sprinter (2020)
Assessments
Rated at 116 pounds on the 2019 Longines World’s Best Racehorse Rankings, 12 pounds below overall highweights Crystal Ocean (the European highweight or co-highweight older male at 9.5-14F) and Enable (the European Horse of the Year).
Rated at 115 pounds on the 2020 Longines World’s Best Racehorse Rankings, 15 pounds below overall highweight Ghaiyyath (the European Horse of the Year) and 9 pounds below the top filly or mare, Almond Eye (the Japanese Horse of the Year).
As an individual
A short-backed dark bay or brown mare with a deep, well-laid shoulder, a deep girth, a strong hip, and good substance without coarseness, Serengeti Empress was a confirmed front runner but was game when hooked. She loves peppermints as treats and enjoys human attention.
As a producer
Serengeti Empress produced her first foal, a colt by Into Mischief, in 2022. Due to a difficult foaling and the need for recovery time, she was not bred for 2023.
Connections
Bred by Tri Eques Bloodstock (KY). Foaled January 30, 2016. A $70,000 yearling at the 2017 Keeneland September yearling sale, she is owned by orthopedic surgeon Joel Politi. She was trained by Tom Amoss and was ridden to her Kentucky Oaks score by José Ortiz.
Pedigree notes
Sired by multiple Grade 2 winner Alternation (by Distorted Humor), Serengeti Empress is inbred 3x4 to 1977 American Horse of the Year Seattle Slew. Her dam Havisham never raced but is out of 2007 Manuel J. Guiraldes (ARG-G3) winner Love Dancing (by 1991 Hopeful Stakes, USA-G1, winner Salt Lake). Love Dancing, in turn, is out of 1992 Polla de Potrancas de La Plata (ARG-G2) winner Le Midi (by the important Argentine sire Fitzcarraldo), whose dam Le Tempestad was sired by 1970 Polla de Potriilos (Argentine Two Thousand Guineas) winner Cipol.
Books and media
The New York Racing Association’s footage of Serengeti Empress’s win in the 2020 Ballerina Stakes can be viewed at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=upoq_q4hBFg.
Fun facts
- Serengeti Empress’s name was inspired by the Toto song “Africa,” a great favorite of Joel Polito’s daughter Annie. The Serengeti, which is mentioned in the song, is a region of northern Tanzania that is known for an incredible diversity of African wildlife. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, it is a popular destination for safari vacations.
Last updated: February 23, 2023