Close Hatches to Tapit

Juddmonte Farms’ Close Hatches (First Defence–Rising Tornado, by Storm Cat), likely to be named 2014 champion older mare at Saturday’s Eclipse ceremony, will visit leading sire Tapit this spring. Of the decision to breed the multiple Grade I winner to Gainesway’s super sire, Juddmonte’s Garrett O’Rourke said, “Those are the easiest matings–there are only a few stallions good enough for her.” 

Trained by Bill Mott, Close Hatches won the 2013 GI Mother Goose S. and GI Cotillion S. and ended her sophomore season with a runner-up effort behind Beholder (Henny Hughes) in the GI Breeders’ Cup Distaff. 

After opening 2014 with wins in the GII Azeri S. and GI Apple Blossom H., the dark bay filly secured the position at the head of her division with a gritty victory over Princess of Sylmar (Majestic Warrior) in a historic renewal of the GI Ogden Phipps S. in June. She added the GI Personal Ensign S. to her resume two months later. On the board in 11 of 14 starts, Close Hatches retires with nine wins and earnings of $2,707,300. Tabbed a “TDN Rising Star” after her seven-length debut win in 2013, Close Hatches’ now 3-year-old half-sister Skywarn (Congrats) earned the same accolade in a maiden-breaking score at Churchill Downs last November.