'Goldikova gave us so many great memories and I hope there will be more to come'

The untimely death at the age of 16 of Wertheimer et Frere's supremely talented mare Goldikova is a sad way for 2021 to kick off for one of France's leading privately-owned breeding operations.

The 14-time Group and Grade 1 winner earned herself immortality on the track when becoming the first triple winner of the same Breeders' Cup race, and the longevity of her sporting career - Goldikova raced on until the end of her six-year-old season - naturally means that her broodmare career was shorter than it might have been.

A homebred daughter of Haras du Quesnay's stalwart Anabaa, Goldikova was the best of a remarkable eight black-type horses from Blushing Groom mare Born Gold, and counted Prix Vermeille heroine Galikova and current Le Quesnay stallion Anodin among her siblings.

Goldikova was an integral part of what became something of a miracle generation of fillies in France, hailing from the same Classic crop as both Zarkava and Natagora.

In a class of her own, Goldikova comes home six lengths clear in the 2009 Prix Jacques le MaroisCredit: Edward Whitaker

Reflecting on her racing career, Wertheimer racing manager Pierre-Yves Bureau said: "There are so many memories but for me personally there are two days that stand out. The third Breeders' Cup Mile showed she was truly exceptional.

"She also won four Prix Rothschilds but the race in France which really moved me was when she won the Marois by six lengths. The whole crowd applauded her for ten minutes and that was a magic moment.

"Winning at Royal Ascot was also great but, for me, that Jacques le Marois was exceptional. Everyone in the team is always there in Deauville and it's a wonderful atmosphere, while being an important part of the year for all of us.

"That said, you can't underestimate how much pleasure everyone involved got from getting the hat-trick in the Breeders' Cup."

Freddy Head (right), Pierre-Yves Bureau, racing manager to the Wertheimer brothers, and jockey Maxime Guyon in the winner's enclosure with Terrakova

Goldikova was not carrying this year but leaves behind a legacy of seven offspring, with by far the best on track to date being her Galileo daughter, Terrakova, a Group 3 winner and third in the Prix de Diane before injury curtailed her career.

Terrakova has a two-year-old daughter by Lope De Vega called Mirakova in training with Andre Fabre and a yearling son by Dubawi named Kovanof.

In total, five of Goldikova's foals were sons or daughters of Galileo, with Alikova due to be covered for the first time this season, while the colt Lehman has just turned two and is with Carlos Laffon-Parias.

Her sole product by Dubawi is the filly Goldistyle, also with Laffon-Parias and potentially a key source of future bequests to her breeders.

"Fortunately we have her daughters including Goldistyle, and the full-brother to Terrakova who just turned two," said Bureau. "We have daughters and sisters and it's a family that remains very active. She gave us so many great memories and I hope there'll be more to come with her offspring."

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