Matareya

A Godolphin homebred, Matareya made her debut in a 6 1/2-furlong maiden special weight race at Ellis Park on Aug. 20, 2021. She went gate-to-wire and won by 4 1/2 lengths.

The Pioneerof the Nile filly was next moved up to Grade 1 company and was pegged as the 2.80-1 second betting choice in the Darley Alcibiades Stakes Oct. 8 at Keeneland, where she ran fifth. She then finished second in her final two starts as a 2-year-old, in a listed stakes at Churchill Downs and an allowance optional claiming race at Oaklawn Park. She was the post-time favorite in both of those races.

Trainer Brad Cox gave Matareya a break of nearly two months before returning her to the track in a six-furlong sprint at Fair Grounds on Feb. 26, 2022. The filly rolled to a 5 ¼-length win at odds of 4-5, setting her up for another try against graded stakes company at Keeneland.

In the Grade 3 Beaumont Stakes Presented by Keeneland Select on April 10, Matareya stalked the early pace and shot clear of the field at the top of the stretch with a powerful burst. She was geared down by jockey Flavien Prat late in the seven-furlong test and won by a commanding 8 ½ lengths as the 11-10 favorite.

Cox wheeled Matareya back in a little over three weeks to run in the Grade 2 Eight Belles Stakes Presented by TwinSpires May 6 at Churchill Downs against a tough field. She broke well under Flavien Prat and was angled toward the rail through the backstretch of the seven-furlong race, saving ground and stalking pacesetter Pretty Birdie. Prat guided her out in early stretch and she outfinished Pretty Birdie late for a 2 ¼-length victory.

Matareya made her next start in the Grade 1 Acorn Stakes at Belmont Park on June 11, which was scheduled to be a showdown with Echo Zulu. However, Echo Zulu was scratched at the gate, leaving Matareya as the overwhelming favorite in a four-horse field. She quickly crossed over to the lead and the rail and drew away to an impressive victory.

Matareya is out of the Grade 3-winning Bernardini mare Innovative Idea. She comes from an accomplished female family that includes Grade 1 winner Maxfield, Grade 1 winner and sire Sky Mesa, and Group 3 winner and international sire Bernstein.