Iridessa (IRE)
January 14, 2016 – August 29, 2025
Ruler of the World (IRE) x Senta’s Dream (GB), by Danehill (USA)
Family 4-i
January 14, 2016 – August 29, 2025
Ruler of the World (IRE) x Senta’s Dream (GB), by Danehill (USA)
Family 4-i
Although she was sired by a winner of the twelve-furlong Derby Stakes (ENG-G1), Iridessa found intermediate distances more to her liking. She made only one start in North America but made it count, running very gamely in the 2019 Breeders’ Cup Filly and Mare Turf to win by a neck over multiple Grade 1 winner Vasilika. Unfortunately, she was injured before she could race again. She had only a short career as a broodmare in Japan.
Race record
12 starts, 5 wins, 0 seconds, 3 thirds, US$1,987,879 (includes converted English and Irish earnings)
2018:
2019:
Assessments
Rated at 116 pounds in the Mile and Intermediate categories on the 2019 Longines World's Best Racehorse Rankings, 12 lbs below co-highweights Crystal Ocean (a multiple divisional highweight in Europe) and Enable (the European Horse of the Year).
As an individual
A big, strong bay mare of miler type, Iridessa was at her best over 8 to 10 furlongs. She was retired after suffering a tendon injury in a stall accident in February 2020.
As a producer
As of December 10, 2025, Iridessa has been represented by two starters from two named foals of racing age in Japan, but neither have won.
Connections
Iridessa was bred by by the O’Brien family’s Whisperview Trading Ltd. She was initially owned by Mrs. Aidan M. O'Brien but in August 2018 was sold to Mrs. Chantal C. Regaldado-Gonzalez. She was trained by Joseph Patrick O'Brien and was ridden to her win in the Breeders’ Cup Filly and Mare Turf by Wayne Lordan. Iridessa was sold privately to Japanese interests in February 2020. She died in Japan in August 2025.
Pedigree notes
Sired by 2013 Investec Derby Stakes (ENG-G1) winner Ruler of the World (by Galileo), Iridessa is inbred 4x4 to the breed-shaping sire Northern Dancer, the 1964 Canadian Horse of the Year, and 5x5 to 1980 French champion miler Nureyev, one of Northern Dancer’s best sire sons. She is also inbred 5x5 to 1966 American Horse of the Year and four-time American champion broodmare sire Buckpasser. Iridessa is a half sister to 2020 FanDuel Breeders’ Cup Mile (USA-G1) winner Order of Australia (by Australia). She is also a half sister to multiple Grade 1 winner Santa Barbara (by Camelot).
Iridessa and her siblings were produced from unraced Senta’s Dream, whose dam Starine won the 2001 Matriarch Stakes (USA-G1) and the 2002 Breeders’ Cup Filly and Mare Turf. Sired by French stakes winner Mendocino (by Theatrical), Starine is a half sister to Group 3-placed Pearlescence (by Pleasantly Perfect), whose maternal grandson Sovereign Spirit was the 2004 champion stayer in Bahrain.
Starine, in turn, is out of Grisonnante (by the important French sire Kaldoun, by Caro). Grissonnante’s dam, Lady Cherie, was unplaced in two tries. A daughter of Sir Gaylord, she was produced from Cherie Royale (by 1961 English Horse of the Year Right Royal V).
Books and media
Footage of Iridessa’s win in the 2019 Breeders’ Cup Filly and Mare Turf can be accessed at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z0navZYUEwc.
Fun facts
Last updated: December 16, 2025
Race record
12 starts, 5 wins, 0 seconds, 3 thirds, US$1,987,879 (includes converted English and Irish earnings)
2018:
- Won Bet365 Fillies' Mile S. (ENG-G1, 8FT, Ascot)
- 3rd Ballylinch Stud Irish E.B.F. Ingabelle S. (ENG-L, 7FT, Leopardstown)
2019:
- Won Makers' Mark Breeders' Cup Filly and Mare Turf (USA-G1, 10FT, SA)
- Won Coolmore Fastnet Rock Matron S. (IRE-G1, 8FT, Leopardstown)
- Won Juddmonte Pretty Polly S. (IRE-G1, 10FT, The Curragh)
- 3rd Kingdom of Bahrain Sun Chariot S. (ENG-G1)
- 3rd Ballylinch Stud Priory Belle One Thousand Guineas Trial S. (IRE-G3, 7FT, Leopardstown)
Assessments
Rated at 116 pounds in the Mile and Intermediate categories on the 2019 Longines World's Best Racehorse Rankings, 12 lbs below co-highweights Crystal Ocean (a multiple divisional highweight in Europe) and Enable (the European Horse of the Year).
As an individual
A big, strong bay mare of miler type, Iridessa was at her best over 8 to 10 furlongs. She was retired after suffering a tendon injury in a stall accident in February 2020.
As a producer
As of December 10, 2025, Iridessa has been represented by two starters from two named foals of racing age in Japan, but neither have won.
Connections
Iridessa was bred by by the O’Brien family’s Whisperview Trading Ltd. She was initially owned by Mrs. Aidan M. O'Brien but in August 2018 was sold to Mrs. Chantal C. Regaldado-Gonzalez. She was trained by Joseph Patrick O'Brien and was ridden to her win in the Breeders’ Cup Filly and Mare Turf by Wayne Lordan. Iridessa was sold privately to Japanese interests in February 2020. She died in Japan in August 2025.
Pedigree notes
Sired by 2013 Investec Derby Stakes (ENG-G1) winner Ruler of the World (by Galileo), Iridessa is inbred 4x4 to the breed-shaping sire Northern Dancer, the 1964 Canadian Horse of the Year, and 5x5 to 1980 French champion miler Nureyev, one of Northern Dancer’s best sire sons. She is also inbred 5x5 to 1966 American Horse of the Year and four-time American champion broodmare sire Buckpasser. Iridessa is a half sister to 2020 FanDuel Breeders’ Cup Mile (USA-G1) winner Order of Australia (by Australia). She is also a half sister to multiple Grade 1 winner Santa Barbara (by Camelot).
Iridessa and her siblings were produced from unraced Senta’s Dream, whose dam Starine won the 2001 Matriarch Stakes (USA-G1) and the 2002 Breeders’ Cup Filly and Mare Turf. Sired by French stakes winner Mendocino (by Theatrical), Starine is a half sister to Group 3-placed Pearlescence (by Pleasantly Perfect), whose maternal grandson Sovereign Spirit was the 2004 champion stayer in Bahrain.
Starine, in turn, is out of Grisonnante (by the important French sire Kaldoun, by Caro). Grissonnante’s dam, Lady Cherie, was unplaced in two tries. A daughter of Sir Gaylord, she was produced from Cherie Royale (by 1961 English Horse of the Year Right Royal V).
Books and media
Footage of Iridessa’s win in the 2019 Breeders’ Cup Filly and Mare Turf can be accessed at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z0navZYUEwc.
Fun facts
- Iridessa was the first stakes winner for her sire, Ruler of the World.
- Iridessa made her trainer, Joseph O’Brien, the second person to both ride and train a Breeders’ Cup winner; he had previously been the winning jockey aboard St. Nicholas Abbey in the 2011 Breeders’ Cup Turf (USA-G1). The only person to accomplish the feat before him was Freddie Head, who trained Goldikova to three consecutive wins in the Breeders’ Cup Mile (USA-G1) after winning the Mile twice aboard Miesque.
Last updated: December 16, 2025