{{Use mdy dates|date=May 2026}} {{Infobox racehorse | horsename = She Feels Pretty | image_name = | caption = | sire = Karakontie | grandsire = Bernstein | dam = Summer Sweet | damsire = More Than Ready | sex = Mare | foaled = March 12, 2021 | country = United States | color = Chestnut | breeder = Payson Stud | owner = Lael Stables | trainer = Cherie DeVaux | record = 13: 8-3-2 | earnings = $2,550,592 | race = Natalma Stakes (2023)<br />Queen Elizabeth II Challenge Cup Stakes (2024)<br/>American Oaks (2024)<br />New York Stakes (2025)<br />E.P. Taylor Stakes (2025) | awards = American Champion Female Turf Horse (2025) | updated = }} '''She Feels Pretty''' is an American thoroughbred racehorse who won multiple Grade 1 races in 2023, 2024, and 2025, including the Natalma Stakes, Queen Elizabeth II Challenge Cup Stakes and E.P. Taylor Stakes. She was also the winner of the Eclipse Award for American Champion Female Turf Horse in 2025.
==Background== She Feels Pretty is a chestnut mare, bred in Kentucky by Payson Stud. She was foaled on March 12, 2021, and is out of Summer Sweet, a race winning mare out of More Than Ready, the 2000 winner of the Kings Bishop Stakes.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.pedigreequery.com/summer+sweet3|title=Summer Sweet Horse Pedigree|website=Pedigree Query|date=|accessdate=May 16, 2026}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.equibase.com/profiles/Results.cfm?type=Horse&refno=4336121®istry=T&rbt=TB-Horse|title=Horse Profile for More Than Ready |website=Equibase|date=|accessdate=May 16, 2026}}</ref> She is a daughter of Karakontie, a classic winner over a mile in France in the Poule d'Essai Des Poulains and eventually in the United States in the Breeders' Cup Mile. As a yearling, she sold for $240,000 to Lael Stable from Stone Farm.<ref name="She Feels Pretty Bloodhorse">{{cite web|url=https://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/thoroughbred/she-feels-pretty/2021|title=She Feels Pretty (2021)|website=Bloodhorse|date=|accessdate=May 16, 2026}}</ref>
==Racing career== She Feels Pretty began her racing career as a two year old filly in July 2023, breaking her maiden at Ellis Park in Kentucky. Presaging later races she would run, She Feels Pretty started near the back of the pack before finishing strong, charging down the straight to defeat her closest rival by a neck.<ref name="Maiden Special Weight">{{cite web|url=https://www.equibase.com/static/chart/2023/usa/elp/20230716-usa-elp-3-d.standard.pdf|title=MAIDEN SPECIAL WEIGHT - Thoroughbred|website=Equibase|date=July 16, 2023|accessdate=May 16, 2026}}</ref> Stepped up sharply in class next time out, She Feels Pretty was next sent north of the border to Canada to Woodbine to contest the Natalma Stakes, traditionally run as an automatic qualifier for the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf. Running once again with her late closing style, She Feels Pretty opened up {{frac|4|1|4}} lengths over her competition in taking this premier race for juvenile turf fillies.<ref name="Natalma Stakes">{{cite web|url=https://www.equibase.com/static/chart/2023/usa/elp/20230716-usa-elp-3-d.standard.pdf|title=STAKES Johnnie Walker Natalma S. Grade 1 - Thoroughbred|website=Equibase|date=September 16, 2023|accessdate=May 16, 2026}}</ref> Taking up the opportunity won by claiming the Natalma Stakes, She Feels Pretty was sent on to the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf at Santa Anita to finish her two year old campaign, where she finished a close third.<ref name="Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf">{{cite web|url=https://www.equibase.com/static/chart/2023/usa/sa/20231103-usa-sa-7-d.standard.pdf|title=STAKES Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf Grade 1 - Thoroughbred}}</ref>
For her first assignment at age 3 in 2024, She Feels Pretty took on the Hilltop Stakes. Run at Pimlico Race Course on the undercard of Black-Eyed Susan day, it is the companion to the James W. Murphy Stakes run on the undercard of Preakness day. Closing this time from midpack, She Feels Pretty made her bid from just after the quarter pole, eventually pulling away to win by {{frac|5|3|4}} lengths.<ref name="Hilltop Stakes">{{cite web|url=https://www.equibase.com/static/chart/2024/usa/pim/20240517-usa-pim-9-d.standard.pdf|title="STAKES Hilltop S. Black Type - Thoroughbred"|date=May 17, 2024|accessdate=May 16, 2026}}</ref> Following this tuneup, She Feels Pretty competed at the top level for 3 year old turf fillies in the United States, running in the Belmont Oaks, part of the Belmont at the Big A meet in 2024, and the Lake Placid Stakes at Saratoga, winning neither but showing well in both races with in-the-money, losing by less than a length finishes.<ref name="Belmont Oaks Invitational Stakes">{{cite web|url=https://www.equibase.com/static/chart/2024/usa/baq/20240706-usa-baq-9-d.standard.pdf |title=STAKES Fasig-Tipton Belmont Oaks Invitational S. Grade 1 - Thoroughbred|date=July 6, 2024|accessdate=May 16, 2026}}</ref><ref name="Lake Placid Stakes">{{cite web|url=https://www.equibase.com/static/chart/2024/usa/sar/20240817-usa-sar-9-d.standard.pdf |title=STAKES Lake Placid S. Grade 2 - Thoroughbred|date=August 17, 2024|accessdate=May 16, 2026}}</ref> After these narrow defeats, She Feels Pretty's connections targeted her at the Grade I Queen Elizabeth II Challenge Cup Stakes at Keeneland. Settling well in a stalking position, She Feels Pretty replicated a winning formula, kicking away around the top of the stretch and pulling away to win by 6 lengths.<ref name="QEII Challenge Cup Stakes">{{cite web|url=https://www.equibase.com/static/chart/2024/usa/kee/20241012-usa-kee-8-d.standard.pdf|title=STAKES Queen Elizabeth II Challenge Cup S. Presented by Dixiana Grade 1 - Thoroughbred|website=Equibase|date=October 12, 2024|accessdate=May 16, 2026}}</ref> She Feels Pretty would finish her three-year-old campaign not at the Breeders' Cup, as she had at two, but instead on Boxing Day at Santa Anita in the American Oaks. Her usual formula in hand, John Velazquez brought her home {{frac|2|1|2}} lengths in front of her closest challenger.<ref name="American Oaks">{{cite web|url=https://www.equibase.com/static/chart/2024/usa/sa/20241226-usa-sa-11-d.standard.pdf|title=STAKES American Oaks Grade 1 - Thoroughbred|website=Equibase|date=December 26, 2024|accessdate=May 16, 2026}}</ref> Her strong campaign at 5:3-0-2 in 2024 would result in her finishing second in the 2024 Eclipse Award voting for American Champion Female Turf Horse.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.ntra.com/2024-eclipse-award-winners-are-announced-thorpedo-anna-voted-2024-horse-of-the-year/|title="2024 Eclipse Award Winners Are Announced, Thorpedo Anna Voted 2024 Horse of the Year"|website=National Thoroughbred Racing Association|date=January 23, 2025|accessdate=May 17, 2026}}</ref>
After her win in the American Oaks, She Feels Pretty was given time off before starting her four year old and 2025 campaign, with her connections foregoing an invitation to compete in the Pegasus World Cup Filly and Mare Turf Invitational in January at Gulfstream Park.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/articles/281912/mystik-dan-white-abarrio-headline-pegasus-invites|title="Mystik Dan, White Abarrio Headline Pegasus Invites"|author=Sean Collins|website=Bloodhorse|date=January 1, 2025|accessdate=May 16, 2026}}</ref> Her seasonal debut at 4 would come on Kentucky Oaks day in the Modesty Stakes. Running her usual race, she was clear by {{frac|2|1|4}} lengths on the wire.<ref name="Modesty Stakes">{{cite web|url=https://www.equibase.com/static/chart/2025/usa/cd/20250502-usa-cd-8-d.standard.pdf|title=STAKES Modesty S. presented by Veritas Prime Grade 3 - Thoroughbred|date=May 2, 2025|accessdate=May 16, 2026}}</ref> For her next two races, She Feels Pretty pointed to Saratoga Race Course in New York, where she ran the New York Stakes on a rainy Acorn Stakes day and the Diana Stakes four weeks later in mid-July, going 1-for-2, with a win in the former and defeat narrowly in the latter.<ref name="New York Stakes">{{cite web|url=https://www.equibase.com/static/chart/2025/usa/sar/20250606-usa-sar-12-d.standard.pdf|title=STAKES New York S. Presented by Rivers Casino Grade 1 - Thoroughbred|website=Equibase|date=June 6, 2025|accessdate=May 16, 2026}}</ref><ref name="Diana Stakes">{{cite web|url=https://www.equibase.com/static/chart/2025/usa/sar/20250712-usa-sar-11-d.standard.pdf |title=STAKES Dunkin' Diana S. Grade 1 - Thoroughbred|website=Equibase|date=July 12, 2025|accessdate=May 16, 2026}}</ref> After her narrow defeat in the Diana Stakes at Saratoga, She Feels Pretty returned to Woodbine for another Breeders' Cup Win And You're In Series race, this time for the Breeders' Cup Filly and Mare Turf. Overcoming trouble midway through the race, She Feels Pretty held off a Great Britain-bred filly to win the E.P. Taylor Stakes, her second Grade 1 race win of the season and her fifth overall.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/articles/286569/she-feels-pretty-narrowly-prevails-in-e-p-taylor|title=She Feels Pretty Narrowly Prevails in E.P. Taylor|author=Byron King|website=Bloodhorse|date=August 16, 2026|accessdate=May 16, 2026}}</ref><ref name="E.P. Taylor Stakes">{{cite web|url=https://www.equibase.com/static/chart/2025/can/wo/20250816-can-wo-7-d.standard.pdf|title="STAKES E.P. Taylor S. Grade 1 - Thoroughbred"|website=Equibase|date=August 16, 2025|accessdate=May 16, 2026}}</ref>
Following the E.P. Taylor Stakes, her connections gave her a break between races, with the next target set for her being the Breeders' Cup Filly and Mare Turf at Del Mar. During that time, she participated in an interview with her trainer, Cherie DeVaux, and Bloodhorse's Anna Curlin, in which it was revealed that she had a traveling companion miniature goat named Mickey, who had been with her through her sophomore and four year old campaigns.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/videos/288155/3-things-you-might-not-know-about-she-feels-pretty|title="3 Things You Might Not Know About: She Feels Pretty"|website=Bloodhorse|date=October 26, 2026|accessdate=May 16, 2026}}</ref> Said campaign ended days after the interview in the Breeders' Cup Filly and Mare Turf, where She Feels Pretty was not favored at post time for the first time since her second start in the Natalma Stakes, this time to Cinderella's Dream who had beaten her at age 3 in the Belmont Oaks Invitational Stakes. Losing steam in the straight after her signature top of the stretch move for the lead, She Feels Pretty gave way to the French-bred Gezora, losing the Breeders' Cup Filly and Mare Turf race by {{frac|1|2}} length.<ref name="Breeders' Cup Filly and Mare Turf">{{cite web|url=https://www.equibase.com/static/chart/2025/usa/dmr/20251101-usa-dmr-12-d.standard.pdf|title=STAKES Maker's Mark Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Turf Grade 1 - Thoroughbred|website=Equibase|date=November 1, 2025|accessdate=May 16, 2026}}</ref>
After her runner-up effort in the Breeders' Cup Filly and Mare Turf, there was initially speculation about whether She Feels Pretty would return at age 5. In the interim, She Feels Pretty's four year old campaign was honored at the Eclipse Awards, as her campaign netted her the 2025 Eclipse Award for American Champion Female Turf Horse. At the ceremony, her connections indicated that she was expected back in 2026 with an eye towards another tilt at a Breeders' Cup Filly and Mare Turf.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/articles/289661/she-feels-pretty-a-first-time-champion-for-devaux|title="She Feels Pretty A First Time Champion for DeVaux"|author=Olivia Newman|website=Bloodhorse|date=January 22, 2026|accessdate=May 16, 2026}}</ref> However, on March 30, 2026, her trainer, Cherie DeVaux announced that she would not return to the races in 2026 following an undisclosed condition that took longer to heal than expected.<ref name="She Feels Pretty Retirement">{{cite web|url=https://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/articles/290948/she-feels-pretty-has-been-retired-from-racing|title="She Feels Pretty Has Been Retired From Racing"|author=Eric Mitchell|website=Bloodhorse|date=March 30, 2026|accessdate=May 16, 2026}}</ref> In a tribute post to She Feels Pretty on X on the occasion of her retirement, Cherie DeVaux said, "She Feels Pretty has left an undeniable mark on my career. She elevated our entire program, brought unforgettable moments, and reminded me why we do this every day. I will always be proud to have been a part of her story."<ref>{{cite web|url=https://x.com/reredevaux/status/2038695238512914548?s=20|title=She Feels Pretty Retirement|author=Cherie DeVaux (@reredevaux|website=X|date=March 30, 2026|accessdate=May 16, 2026}}</ref> As of March 30, 2026, plans for breeding for She Feels Pretty had not been arranged.<ref name="She Feels Pretty Retirement" />
==Statistics== {| class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align:center; width:95%"" |- ! scope="col" style="background:#f4b4b4;" | Date ! scope="col" style="background:#f4b4b4;" | Age ! scope="col" style="background:#f4b4b4;" | Distance ! scope="col" style="background:#f4b4b4;" | Race ! scope="col" style="background:#f4b4b4;" | Grade ! scope="col" style="background:#f4b4b4;" | Track ! scope="col" style="background:#f4b4b4;" | Odds ! scope="col" style="background:#f4b4b4;" | Field ! scope="col" style="background:#f4b4b4;" | Finish ! scope="col" style="background:#f4b4b4;" | Time ! scope="col" style="background:#f4b4b4;" | Margin ! scope="col" style="background:#f4b4b4;" | Jockey ! scope="col" style="background:#f4b4b4;" | Ref |-! scope="row" style="font-weight:normal;" | {{dts|2023|Jul|16|format=mdy}} |2 |{{frac|5|1|2}} furlongs |Maiden Special Weight | |Ellis Park |6.06 |11 |1 |1:02.81 |Neck |Corey Lanerie |<ref name="Maiden Special Weight" /> |-! scope="row" style="font-weight:normal;" | {{dts|2023|Sep|16|format=mdy}} |2 |1 mile |Natalma Stakes | 1 |Woodbine |8.00 |13 |1 |1:35.34 |{{frac|4|1|4}} lengths |John Velazquez |<ref name="Natalma Stakes" /> |-! scope="row" style="font-weight:normal;" | {{dts|2023|Nov|3|format=mdy}} |2 |1 mile |Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf |1 |Santa Anita |3.50'''*''' |14 |3 |1:34.52<ref name="Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf GPS Chart">{{cite web|url=https://www.equibase.com/premium/pubGpsChart.cfm?TRK=SA&CY=USA&DAY=D&DT=11/03/2023&RN=7&requesttimeout=60|title="SANTA ANITA PARK - Nov 03, 2023 - Race 7"|website=Equibase|date=November 4, 2023|accessdate=May 16, 2026}}</ref> |({{frac|1|2}} length) |John Velazquez |<ref name="Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf" /><ref name="Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf GPS Chart" /> |-! scope="row" style="font-weight:normal;" | {{dts|2024|May|16|format=mdy}} |3 |1 mile |Hilltop Stakes | |Pimlico |0.60'''*''' |7 |1 |1:38.59 |{{frac|5|3|4}} lengths |John Velazquez |<ref name="Hilltop Stakes" /> |-! scope="row" style="font-weight:normal;" | {{dts|2024|Jul|6|format=mdy}} |3 |{{frac|1|3|16}} miles |Belmont Oaks |1 |Aqueduct |0.95'''*''' |9 |3 |1:53.57<ref name="Belmont Oaks GPS Chart">{{cite web|url=https://www.equibase.com/premium/pubGpsChart.cfm?TRK=BAQ&CY=USA&DAY=D&DT=07/06/2024&RN=9&requesttimeout=60|title=BELMONT AT THE BIG A - Jul 06, 2024 - Race 9|website=Equibase|date=July 6, 2024|accessdate=May 16, 2026}}</ref> |({{frac|3|4}} length) |John Velazquez |<ref name="Belmont Oaks Invitational Stakes" /><ref name="Belmont Oaks GPS Chart" /> |-! scope="row" style="font-weight:normal;" | {{dts|2024|Aug|17|format=mdy}} |3 |{{frac|1|1|16}} miles |Lake Placid Stakes |2 |Saratoga |0.95'''*''' |9 |3 |1:43.79<ref name="Lake Placid Stakes GPS Chart">{{cite web|url=https://www.equibase.com/premium/pubGpsChart.cfm?TRK=SAR&CY=USA&DAY=D&DT=08/17/2024&RN=9&requesttimeout=60|title=SARATOGA - Aug 17, 2024 - Race 9|website=Equibase|date=August 17, 2024|accessdate=May 16, 2026}}</ref> |(neck) |John Velazquez |<ref name="Lake Placid Stakes" /><ref name="Lake Placid Stakes GPS Chart" /> |-! scope="row" style="font-weight:normal;" | {{dts|2024|Oct|12|format=mdy}} |3 |{{frac|1|1|16}} miles |Queen Elizabeth II Challenge Cup Stakes |1 |Keeneland |1.54'''*''' |10 |1 |1:46.50 |6 lengths |John Velazquez |<ref name="QEII Challenge Cup Stakes" /> |-! scope="row" style="font-weight:normal;" | {{dts|2024|Dec|26|format=mdy}} |3 |{{frac|1|1|4}} miles |American Oaks |1 |Santa Anita |0.60'''*''' |11 |1 |1:58.69 |{{frac|2|1|2}} lengths |John Velazquez |<ref name="American Oaks" /> |-! scope="row" style="font-weight:normal;" | {{dts|2025|May|2|format=mdy}} |4 |{{frac|1|1|8}} miles |Modesty Stakes |3 |Churchill Downs |0.79'''*''' |6 |1 |1:45.51'''†''' |{{frac|2|1|4}} lengths |John Velazquez |<ref name="Modesty Stakes" /> |-! scope="row" style="font-weight:normal;" | {{dts|2025|Jun|6|format=mdy}} |4 |{{frac|1|3|16}} miles |New York Stakes |1 |Saratoga |0.50'''*''' |7 |1 |2:00.76 |{{frac|1|2}} lengths |John Velazquez |<ref name="New York Stakes" /> |-! scope="row" style="font-weight:normal;" | {{dts|2025|Jul|12|format=mdy}} |4 |{{frac|1|1|8}} miles |Diana Stakes |1 |Saratoga |0.70'''*''' |5 |2 |1:47.39<ref name="Diana Stakes GPS Chart">{{cite web|url=https://www.equibase.com/premium/pubGpsChart.cfm?TRK=SAR&CY=USA&DAY=D&DT=07/12/2025&RN=11&requesttimeout=60|title=SARATOGA - Jul 12, 2025 - Race 11|website=Equibase|date=July 12, 2025|accessdate=May 16, 2026}}</ref> |(head) |John Velazquez |<ref name="Diana Stakes" /><ref name="Diana Stakes GPS Chart" /> |-! scope="row" style="font-weight:normal;" | {{dts|2025|Aug|16|format=mdy}} |4 |{{frac|1|1|4}} miles |E.P. Taylor Stakes |1 |Woodbine |0.45'''*''' |7 |1 |2:00.80 |head |John Velazquez |<ref name="E.P. Taylor Stakes" /> |-! scope="row" style="font-weight:normal;" | {{dts|2025|Nov|1|format=mdy}} |4 |{{frac|1|3|8}} miles |Breeders' Cup Filly and Mare Turf |1 |Del Mar |3.10 |13 |2 |2:12.62<ref name="BCFMT GPS Chart">{{cite web|url=https://www.equibase.com/premium/pubGpsChart.cfm?TRK=DMR&CY=USA&DAY=D&DT=11/01/2025&RN=12&requesttimeout=60|title=DEL MAR - Nov 01, 2025 - Race 12|website=Equibase|date=November 1, 2025|accessdate=May 16, 2026}}</ref> |({{frac|1|2}} length) |John Velazquez |<ref name="Breeders' Cup Filly and Mare Turf" /><ref name="BCFMT GPS Chart" /> |}
'''''Notes''''':
* An ('''*''') asterisk after the odds means She Feels Pretty was the post-time favorite. * A ('''†''') bolded cross after the time means She Feels Pretty set a new stakes record or track time record for the distance.
==Pedigree== {{Pedigree |name = She Feels Pretty (USA) chestnut 2021 <ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.pedigreequery.com/she+feels+pretty|title=She Feels Pretty (USA) ch. M, 2021|website=Pedigree Query|date=|accessdate=May 16, 2026}}</ref> |f = Karakontie (USA)<br>2011 |m = Summer Sweet (USA)<br>2014 |ff = Bernstein (USA)<br>1997 |fm = Sun Is Up (JPN)<br>1998 |mf = More Than Ready (USA)<br>1997 |mm = Summer Solstice (IRE)<br>1997 |fff = Storm Cat |ffm = La Affirmed |fmf = Sunday Silence |fmm = Moon Is Up |mff = Southern Halo |mfm = Woodman's Girl |mmf = Caerleon |mmm = Summer Sonnet (GB) |ffff = Storm Bird (CAN) |fffm = Terlingua |ffmf = Affirmed |ffmm = La Mesa |fmff = '''Halo'''* |fmfm = Wishing Well |fmmf = '''Woodman'''* |fmmm = Mesque |mfff = '''Halo'''* |mffm = Northern Sea |mfmf = '''Woodman'''* |mfmm = Becky Be Good |mmff = Nijinsky (CAN) |mmfm = Foreseer |mmmf = Bailamont |mmmm = Noises (IRE) |}}
She Feels Pretty is inbred 4S x 4D to both '''Halo''' and '''Woodman''', meaning that both appear once in the fourth generation on the sire side (via Sun Is Up) and once in the fourth generation on the dam's side (via More Than Ready).
==References== {{reflist}}
Category:2021 racehorse births Category:Racehorses bred in Kentucky Category:Racehorses trained in the United States Category:Thoroughbred family 22-b Category:Grade 1 stakes race winners