Gimme a Nother (SAF) continued her impressive winning streak across North America by securing her first Grade 1 victory on this continent with a win in Saturday’s $750,000 E. P. Taylor Stakes at Woodbine. The 6-year-old mare, trained by Graham Motion, started from the inside post and skillfully navigated the challenging early turn, settling comfortably along the rail in the 1 1/4-mile turf race named after Woodbine’s founder.
The race began with Achieve taking the early lead, followed by Venetian Lace (IRE) in second and Gimme a Nother holding third position close to the rail through an opening quarter-mile in 26.52 seconds. Achieve, ridden by Javier Castellano, maintained the lead through a half-mile in 51.77 seconds and a slow three-quarter mile in 1:16.60. Venetian Lace, the only 3-year-old in the race and one of two Godolphin-owned horses, stayed outside in second, while Gimme a Nother earned a pocket trip under Hall of Fame jockey John Velazquez.
As the eight fillies and mares turned toward the finish, Godolphin’s other contender, Diamond Rain (GB), who was second in 2025, made a move in the three path with jockey William Buick, passing the mile mark in 1:40.26. With just three-sixteenths of a mile remaining, Velazquez expertly found an opening in the two path and surged past four opponents to win by a neck, clocking a final time of 2:02.71 on a firm turf course.
Velazquez notched his second straight E. P. Taylor victory—a Breeders’ Cup “Win and You’re In” qualifier for the Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Turf (G1)—marking his fifth overall win in this event. He had also just won the Grade 2 Beverly D. Stakes on Gimme a Nother on August 1 at Colonial Downs, making this a standout season for both jockey and mare.
“I wanted to wait for the right moment,” Velazquez said, reflecting on his race strategy. “I didn’t want to rush early, and I had to wait anyway. When I saw the Godolphin horse come outside, I tried to follow, and she responded immediately. Finding that small gap and pushing through was impressive.”
Motion, clearly moved by his mare’s continued success at Woodbine, praised Gimme a Nother’s remarkable consistency. “She arrived undefeated, so that was a lot of pressure, but she’s been outstanding. We hoped she’d make the Breeders’ Cup last year, but it didn’t happen. Since her winter break, she’s been unbeatable—she’s very special.”
Saturday’s Grade 1 win marked Gimme a Nother’s fourth consecutive victory, following wins in the Grade 2 John C. Mabee at Del Mar, the Grade 3 Eatontown at Monmouth, and most recently the Grade 2 Beverly D., where Velazquez rode her for the first time to a narrow victory. Motion also expressed his confidence in the inside post position and praised Velazquez’s skillful ride.
Originally trained by Michael de Kock in South Africa, where she won the first seven races of her career, Gimme a Nother has proven her talent across two continents. “Her achievements coming from South Africa and winning so many races here say a lot about South African breeding and racing,” Motion said. “It puts them right up there with American-bred horses.”
Gimme a Nother, a daughter of Gimmethegreenlight out of Nother Russia (by Tiger Ridge), improved her record to 11 wins, 3 seconds, and no thirds from 15 starts, with her second win over the Woodbine 1 1/4-mile turf distance. Bred by Wilgerbosdrift & Mauritzfontein and owned by Newstead Stables LLC, she was the 5-2 favorite on the morning line, went off at 3-1, and paid $8.90 to win.
See The Fire (GB) finished a close second, just a nose behind, with Jancis (IRE) taking third by a neck. Venetian Lace (IRE) was fourth, and favorite Diamond Rain (GB) placed fifth.
This story originally appeared in the News section of the Paulick Report on September 13, 2026.
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Fan Take: Gimme a Nother’s stunning Grade 1 victory highlights the power of international talent elevating North American racing. Her success not only showcases the quality of South African breeding but also inspires global competition and excitement in the sport’s top events.
Source: sports.yahoo.com
