Rachel Alexandra in foal to Curlin

Rachel Alexandra could become the first Preakness winner to produce a foal by a Preakness winner (Deborah Kral/Horsephotos.com) Stonestreet announced Monday that 2009 Horse of the Year RACHEL ALEXANDRA (Medaglia d’Oro) is confirmed to be in foal to 2007 and 2008 Horse of the Year CURLIN (Smart Strike). Her expected foaling date is February 1, 2012. The news comes two weeks following the mating of the two Preakness S. (G1) winners, both Stonestreet colorbearers, which took place at Lane’s End near Versailles, Kentucky, on February 21. The Curlin-Rachel Alexandra foal would sport 3 x 5 inbreeding to Mr. Prospector, as well as 5 x 5 inbreeding to Sir Ivor and a triple dose of Northern Dancer (5 x 5 x 5). Rachel Alexandra, who became the first three-year-old filly to earn Horse of the Year honors since World War II-era Hall of Famers Twilight Tear (1944) and Busher (1945), retired following her four-year-old campaign with $3,506,730 in earnings from her 19-13-5-0 mark.

By virtue of her match with Curlin, Rachel Alexandra has a further historical
parallel with Twilight Tear, who was bred to fellow Calumet Farm superstar
Whirlaway in her first two seasons as a broodmare.

Though Curlin didn’t sweep the Triple Crown like Whirlaway, he nevertheless
has this in common with the Hall of Famer: both set earnings records in the
course of their careers. Whirlaway held the distinction of being the first to
bankroll $500,000, ultimately retiring with a world-record $561,161 to his
credit. Curlin currently ranks as North America’s all-time leading earner,
brandishing $10,501,800 in his account.

Twilight Tear’s first foal by Whirlaway was a 1947 colt named Foremost, who
compiled a rather meager 32-2-5-2 line. Her 1948 colt by Whirlaway, named
Coiner, was somewhat more successful. A three-time stakes winner, the hardy
campaigner raced 109 times, with a 20-14-13 mark.