DEL MAR, Calif. - Fourteen years ago, trainer Graham Motion saddled Shared Account to upset the Breeders’ Cup Filly and Mare Turf at 46-1. In the 2024 edition, Motion trains longshot Beach Bomb, who is listed at 20-1 on Del Mar’s morning line. Bred in South Africa and owned by Gaynor Rupert’s Cayton Park Stud, Beach Bomb was a multiple Group 1 winner in her homeland before being shipped along with 11 other South African-based horses to North America earlier this year. “I’ve trained horses for Gaynor before, and he’s been involved with Team Valor, so there’s a connection there,” Motion said. Of course, Motion and Team Valor paired up to win the 2011 Kentucky Derby with Animal Kingdom. Although Motion noted that some of the South African horses emerged from their long journey with minor injuries, Beach Bomb and Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint-bound Isivunguvungu were always destined for the Breeders’ Cup. :: ON SALE NOW: DRF Breeders' Cup Packages! Get everything you need to win and save 41% off the retail price. “That’s been the goal all along for them,” Motion said. “These two have been so classy. The problem is that they had to quarantine for two months once we got them. We had to start from scratch.” Beach Bomb made her North American debut in the Violet Stakes going 1 1/16 miles at Monmouth Park on Aug. 31 and finished second to odds-on Maman Joon. She then shipped to Southern California where she ran third in the Grade 2 Rodeo Drive going 1 1/4 miles at Santa Anita on Oct. 5. “I really wanted to get two races into her for the Breeders’ Cup,” Motion said. “I knew [the Violet’s distance] was too sharp for her. She’s progressing nicely with each start, and I’m looking forward to her getting more ground. I also liked that [Antonio Fresu] got a chance to ride her and gain experience with her.” Fresu has the call in Filly and Mare Turf. For the most part, Motion will leave the race strategy to him. “I wouldn’t be surprised if she’s a bit closer [to the pace} at 1 3/8 miles.” Beach Bomb got her first chance to travel over the Del Mar Turf Course last Saturday. Working with a hood, she breezed outside Test Score, a 2-year-old colt that starts in Friday’s Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance Stakes. A bit late to change leads in the straight, she finished a head behind, then bobbled a bit while galloping out. The duo shared the bullet time of 50.60 seconds while running around the dogs. :: BREEDERS’ CUP FILLY AND MARE TURF: See DRF’s special section with top contenders, odds, comments, news, and more Bred by Drakenstein Stud, Beach Bomb is a Southern Hemisphere 4-year-old filly with a regal pedigree. She is from the second crop of Lancaster Bomber, a Group 1 winner in Ireland at 1 1/4 miles who finished second in both the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf and Breeders’ Cup Mile when campaigned by Aidan O’Brien. Beach Bomb’s dam, Beach Beauty, by Dynasty, won 17 times from 31 starts and was named champion older mare twice in South Africa. Among Beach Bomb’s half-siblings are Group 2 winners Wild Coast and Amanzimtoti, multiple listed stakes-winner Narina Trogon, and multiple Group 3-placed Rex Union. :: Want to learn more about handicapping and wagering? Check out DRF's Handicapping 101 and Wagering 101 pages.