Breeders' Cup International Horse Profile: Cachet

Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf

With a series of stakes placings highlighted by the Fillies’ Mile (G1) and the Breeders' Cup “Win and You’re In” Rockfel (G2), the Highclere Thoroughbred Racing colorbearer has claims to get involved. But chances are she’ll remain more of an exotics type than achieve a breakthrough.

Cachet is the headliner so far for freshman sire Aclaim, the 2017 Prix de la Foret (G1) hero who hopes to emulate the stud success of fellow Acclamation sons Dark Angel and Mehmas. The Irish-bred filly is out of a mare by unbeaten champion two-year-old Teofilo, from the immediate family of current San Francisco Mile (G3) winner Whisper Not.

Up-and-coming George Boughey is in just his second full season as a trainer, after a stint with Australia’s Gai Waterhouse and six years as Hugo Palmer’s assistant. But he’s already made an impact. In addition to a few other quality juveniles, he sent out Mystery Angel to finish second in Snowfall’s Oaks (G1) at odds of 50-1.

Cachet, bought for 60,000 guineas at the Tattersalls Craven Breeze Up in mid-April, attracted attention with a 5 1/2-length romp in her Newmarket debut. Breaking alertly and tracking the leader, she was traveling like a winner well before pulling away. Next up was Royal Ascot’s Albany (G3). Despite being under a ride a long way out on the heavy going, the 15-2 chance responded generously to stay on for fifth to Sandrine and Hello You.

The 3-1 favorite in the Empress Fillies’ S. on Newmarket’s good-to-firm July Course, Cachet stalked on the stands’ side and looked outpaced after the halfway stage in the six-fur long sprint. She kept on for third, outfinished by the 22-1 System and Desert Dreamer.

Cachet appeared ready to step up to seven furlongs, and she got her chance in the July 24 Pat Eddery back at Ascot. But she also happened to meet a couple of proper colts in New Science and Angel Bleu. Cachet was reserved in midpack before rallying up the far side, but she could not match New Science’s stronger finish. She was a solid third, just three-quarters of a length off Angel Bleu, who has since won the Vintage (G2), Prix Jean-Luc Lagardere (G1), and Criterium International (G1).

Up to a metric mile for the Sept. 9 Prix d’Aumale (G3) at Paris Longchamp, Cachet buckled out of the gate in a very awkward start, then rushed up to track front-running favorite Fleur d’Iris. As might have been foreseen, Cachet then weakened to seventh.

Back over Newmarket’s Rowley course where she broke her maiden, Cachet turned in a more characteristic second in the seven-furlong Rockfel. The 9-1 chance sped from the gate and formed the vanguard with stablemate Oscula, but neither could contain the powerful rush of Hello You. Cachet appeared bound for third, until gamely wearing down Oscula for yard bragging rights.

A 22-1 shot on the class hike for the Fillies’ Mile, Cachet again recorded an honorable placing at Newmarket, despite having to be re-shod pre-race. The field split into two early, and Cachet ended up serving as the lead horse for odds-on favorite Inspiral as they were the only ones toward the near side. When Inspiral shifted to launch her bid and the groups merged, Cachet stuck with her for a while until paying for it late. She was just mugged for second, and barely salvaged third from the surging Mise en Scene.

Cachet figures to see out the mile more effectively around Del Mar, where her tactical speed will give her every chance. Yet it’s tough to break the minor-award habit in a race like this.