Trainer Kevin Attard has noticed Moira’s “game face.” “The change on race day is uncanny. I haven’t experienced a horse like that,” Attard said. “Day to day, she goes out there, does her job, and knows what she needs to do. When the tack gets on her, she’s a horse that’s all business. On race day, she’s a handful. She turns into a completely different horse. You’ve got to be on your toes with her and be prepared for anything because she can throw anything at you.” Attard hopes that the third time’s the charm for his star 5-year-old mare in the Breeders’ Cup Filly and Mare Turf. Moira ran fifth in 2022, then finished a bang-up third behind European standouts Inspiral and Warm Heart last year, a race that Attard described as “a highlight of my career.” :: BREEDERS’ CUP FILLY AND MARE TURF: See DRF’s special section with top contenders, odds, comments, news, and more “She’s a very special horse to me, winning my first Queen’s Plate,” Attard stated. “We’ve always held her in high regard, and she’s always been a bit of an underdog or maybe not respected enough. [Last year’s Filly and Mare Turf] solidified her place as one of the better female turf horses in North America.” Moira won her career debut in the $250,000 Princess Elizabeth for juvenile fillies at 1 1/16 miles over Woodbine’s Tapeta surface, and it’s been onward and upward ever since. The following season, she captured the Woodbine Oaks and Queen’s Plate in successive starts by a combined 17 3/4 lengths on her way to being named Canada’s Horse of the Year as well as champion 3-year-old filly. Although Moira only won once in 2023, she cracked the top three in all six starts. Following her excellent performance in last year’s Breeders’ Cup, Moira was purchased for $3 million at Fasig-Tipton’s November sale. The Ghostzapper mare races for Madaket Stables, SF Racing, and X-Men Racing. Moira hasn’t finished worse than second in three turf starts this year. She returned from a lengthy layoff to place second in Saratoga’s Grade 1 Diana on July 13, scored in Colonial’s Grade 2 Beverly D. the following month, then made her final Breeders’ Cup prep with a runner-up finish in the Grade 1 E.P. Taylor racing 1 1/4 miles on Sept. 14 at Woodbine. In the E.P. Taylor, Moira rallied from fourth in a five-horse field to finish 3 1/2 lengths behind stablemate Full Count Felicia. “It was an oddly run race with Felicia opening up the way she did on the field,” Attard said. “Horses aren’t used to running in those types of races. Moira did well. She was trying right to the end, galloped out really well, and I think the extra furlong from the E.P. Taylor to the Breeders’ Cup should benefit her.” Attard likes what he sees from Moira’s recent training. “She’s keeping good weight,” Attard said. “We’re going to ask a little bit more of her in her next work and make sure she’s good and tight for the Breeders’ Cup.” :: Want to learn more about handicapping and wagering? Check out DRF's Handicapping 101 and Wagering 101 pages.