It was an eighth Breeders’ Cup winner for TAPIT on Saturday when Scylla dominated the Breeders’ Cup Distaff (G1) at Del Mar.
Looking for her first win of the year after four straight stakes top three finishes, Scylla came into this 1 1/8-mile dirt race after finishing third in the Spinster S. (G1). Breaking well, Scylla didn’t let other horses have the lead for long as she quickly moved to the rail and took over pacesetting duties.
She was pushed throughout the early stages by Gin Gin before opening a length on the field coming into the turn. Nitrogen took her own stab at catching Scylla, but Junior Alvarado barely moved on his mount until they hit the stretch. Once he asked her to extend, Scylla happily responded to win by 5 ½ lengths.
Power, poise and perfection! Scylla takes the $2 Million @Longines #BreedersCup Distaff! 💎 #BC25
Congrats to the connections!
J: Junior Alvarado
T: Bill Mott
O: Juddmonte
B: Juddmonte Farms Inc pic.twitter.com/robnfKaAqf— Breeders' Cup (@BreedersCup) November 1, 2025
“In the second quarter, I could feel she slowed down,” said Alvarado. “She came back to me. She relaxed, so, I was very happy. Once we hit the half-mile pole, I was like, ‘oh boy, I mean, I feel loaded right now.’ And then when I turned for home and she just like rebroke again and I mean, it was an outstanding race today for her.”
Bill Mott announced after the race that this was the final start for the Juddmonte homebred, who retires with six wins and eight other top three finishes in 16 starts. The 5-year-old also won the Fleur de Lis S. (G2) and Shawnee S. (G3) and was second or third in six other graded stakes. She was also fourth in last year’s Breeders’ Cup Filly and Mare Sprint.
This is the second Breeders’ Cup Distaff winner for TAPIT, who also sired the 2014 winner Untapable. Her own dam Close Hatches was second in the 2013 Breeders’ Cup Distaff. Close Hatches also produced TAPIT’s multiple graded stakes winning son Tacitus, who was placed in six Grade 1s and finished fourth in his Breeders’ Cup Classic (G1) appearance.
Scylla is also a full sister to Grade 3 winner and Grade 2-placed Batten Down and the winning Maximus Aurelius.
TAPIT is the sire of seven stakes winners in 2025 with three of those winning Grade 1s, those three Grade 1 winners putting him third among all North American sires this year.