Fev Rover may have dethroned Moira as Canada’s Horse of the Year last season, but on Sunday, Moira got her revenge in the $500,000 Beverly D. (G2) at Colonial Downs. In a thrilling stretch duel, Moira denied Fev Rover a repeat victory, and in doing so, earned herself a spot in the Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Turf (G1).

The last time these two rivals met was in the Filly & Mare Turf at Santa Anita last fall, where Moira finished third behind top European fillies Inspiral and Warm Heart, while Fev Rover struggled and finished 11th. Their contrasting form carried into 2024, with Moira coming off a strong second in the July 13 Diana (G1) at Saratoga.

With this momentum, Moira was favored at 7-10 in the Beverly D., while Fev Rover was the 2.10-1 second choice, as bettors hoped she could regain her top form. The Canadian queens lived up to the hype, delivering an unforgettable showdown.

Although Libban was expected to set the pace, Fev Rover took charge, just as she did in last year’s Beverly D. Libban’s presence, however, ensured that Fev Rover couldn’t dictate a slow pace this time around.

Fev Rover led through fractions of :23.56, :49.22, and 1:12.69 on the firm turf, with Moira tracking in third. As Libban began to fade on the far turn, it set the stage for the anticipated match race between the past two Canadian Horses of the Year.

As they turned for home, Moira went wide while Fev Rover took advantage of her ground-saving position to kick clear. But when jockey Jose Ortiz guided Moira to the inside, she unleashed a powerful run to challenge Fev Rover in the final strides. Despite a strong fight from Fev Rover, Moira got her head in front at the wire.

Neecie Marie closed late to take third, narrowly beating Nadette. Libban faded to finish last in the five-horse field, with Mission of Joy scratched. Moira completed the 1 3/16 miles in 1:54.80, marking her fourth victory over Fev Rover in six encounters. However, their head-to-head record is somewhat complicated by Moira’s disqualification in the 2022 E.P. Taylor (G1), where she was demoted from second to eighth for interference, while Fev Rover was promoted to third.

The two rivals traded victories throughout 2023. Moira shone in the Canadian (G2) and performed better in the Breeders’ Cup, while Fev Rover claimed victories in the E.P. Taylor and Nassau (G2) and earned Canada’s Horse of the Year title, thanks to her Beverly D. win last summer.

Moira had been named Horse of the Year in 2022 after a standout sophomore season. The daughter of Hall of Famer Ghostzapper was a sensation on Woodbine’s Tapeta before transitioning to turf. She dominated the Queen’s Plate against males, setting a track record for 1 1/4 miles, following a similarly impressive victory in the Woodbine Oaks.

Moira’s career record now stands at 15-6-5-2 with earnings of $1,823,999. She made her debut as a juvenile by winning the 2021 Princess Elizabeth S. and narrowly missed in the Mazarine (G3). Her other notable performances include wins in the 2022 Fury S. and placings in the 2023 Belle Mahone (G3), Nassau, Dance Smartly (G2), and E.P. Taylor. Trainer Kevin Attard has indicated that Moira is likely to target the E.P. Taylor again this fall, using the September 14 feature at Woodbine as a stepping stone to the Filly & Mare Turf at Del Mar, where she’ll make her third Breeders’ Cup appearance.

Bred by Adena Springs in Ontario, Moira was initially sold for $150,000 at the Keeneland September yearling sale to X Men Racing, affiliated with Donato Lanni. In her most recent auction appearance at Fasig-Tipton Kentucky last November, she fetched $3 million from DM Ventures. She is now owned by Lanni Bloodstock, Madaket Stables, and SF Racing.

Moira is out of Devine Aida, a multiple stakes-winning and Grade 2-placed mare by Unbridled’s Song, and she hails from the influential family of Begum.