Quite naughty The 2023 Kentucky Oaks (G1) champion 3-year-old mare was announced to have been retired by her owner/breeder Godolphin on August 22 on social media. Godolphin posted on X that she had arrived at her new home at Gainsborough Farm and that her next stop was motherhood. She will be bred in early 2025.
🇺🇸🌸 Kentucky Oaks Winner #QuiteMindful to her new home at #GainsboroughFarm today. Next stop, motherhood! 🥰 pic.twitter.com/KDQIhSI6kU
— Godolphin (@godolphin) August 22, 2024
Her retirement comes after three losses this year in as many starts. She finished third in the La Troienne Stakes (G1) on May 3 at Churchill Downs to start his year, showing again in the Ogden Phipps Stakes (G1) June 8 at Saratoga Race Trackand most recently an unimpressive fifth place in the Clement L. Hirsch Stakes (G1) Aug. 3 at Del Mar. The latter race was a poorer finish than her championship win last year and was the only time she failed to win in her 13-race career.
“We felt like she probably wouldn’t be able to repeat what she did last year for us,” said Godolphin USA breeding director Michael Banahan. “So we decided we didn’t want to be disappointed with her performance, especially after she’s been such a super mare for us.”
A top performer at age 2, she won three of her four starts, including the 2022 Untapable Stakes at Horse Racing Tracks & Slots Fair GroundsPretty Mischievous had an even better season at age 3. She won the Rachel Alexandra Stakes (G2) at Fair Grounds and then finished second in the Fair Grounds Oaks (G2).
A key equipment change for Walsh to add an eye patch helped her perform at her best for the rest of the year, and helped her focus throughout the Kentucky Oaks, the country’s most prestigious race for 3-year-old mares. Racing wide under Tyler Gaffalione, Pretty Mischievous took the lead from the line and won by a length to become the first Kentucky Oaks winner for both Godolphin and trainer Brendan Walsh.
“The mare is special to all of us at the farm and Brendan’s team,” said Banahan.
Later that year she ran in the Acorn Stakes (G1) and Test Stakes (G1).
“We’re all in the game for horses like that. They don’t come around very often,” Walsh said. “She was a joy to have from day one.”
She followed up the Test with a second place in the Cotillion Stakes (G1) to end her 3-year-old campaign. She was entered to run in the Breeders’ Cup Distaff (G1) later in the year but was disqualified.
Her 4 year old daughter Into mischief out of class 1-victory Knock on the door mare Beautiful City Dancer retired with a 7-2-3 record in 13 starts and earnings of over $2.1 million.
Banahan said no stallions have been chosen so far ahead of her first breeding early next year.
“Any horse that can win three Grade 1s for you has a special place in the storybook of all our horses,” he said. “We’re really grateful to her, and hopefully she can show some of her talent in future foals.”
