"She has unfinished business" - Goodnight Olive's new owner targetting Breeders' Cup hat-trick

Goodnight Olive will attempt to emulate the great Goldikova at the 2024 Breeders' Cup, accoring to new owner John Stewart.

Goodnight Olive was one of three Breeders' Cup champions to successfully defend their crowns at Santa Anita on Saturday night. Cody's Wish retained his Dirt Mile crown before Goodnight Olive's second victory in the Filly & Mare Sprint. Elite Power then closed the curtain on the 2024 Breeders' Cup by going back-to-back in the Sprint.

Cody's Wish and Elite Power have been retired to take up stallion duties since. Goodnight Olive was expected to make her way to the paddock too, but new owner, John Stewart clearly has other plans.

Stewart and his Fasig-Tipton operation have been splashing the cash in the US for the best part of a year now and they, again, made headlines at the Night Of The Stars sales event in Lexington this week.

Former Breeders' Cup heroine Pizza Bianca - currently in-foal to Into Mischief - was snapped up for $3m by Fasig-Tipton. Stewart then splashed out $6m to purchase Goodnight Olive, before telling the press that his new recruit would race on as a five-year-old next year.

"We bought a lot of yearlings." Stewart said at the sales. "We wanted some horses that have potential to run – she (Goodnight Olive) fits the bill."

"I think we could have a lot of fun with her, and hopefully have her defend her title at the Breeders' Cup. I think there's an opportunity for her to run at Del Mar and do that. I’m really excited about it. I think she has unfinished business."

The only horse to ever win three times at a Breeders' Cup was Goldikova. Freddy Head's megastar beat the boys in the 2008, 2009 and 2010 renewals of the Breeders' Cup Mile, before finishing her career with a third-place finish in the 2011 Mile at Churchill Downs.

Goodnight Olive will likely carry a very short price into the 2024 Filly & Mare Sprint, should she arrive at Del Mar in tip-top shape. You can find key details regarding the 2024 Breeders' Cup here on our website.