1/20/14 - Royal Delta Honored as Three-Time Champion

For the third year in a row, ROYAL DELTA (Empire Maker) was named a champion for her accomplishments on the track. The champion three-year-old filly of 2011, Seattle Slew's great-granddaughter was named the 2012 champion older female after her four-year-old campaign. Her success in 2013 led to a repeat of that honor on Jan. 18 during the 43rd Annual Eclipse Awards.

Royal Delta began her five-year-old season with an easy win in the Sabin Stakes (G3). An unsuccessful trip to Dubai to face the world's best in the Dubai World Cup (UAE-G1) was followed by a brief freshening before she finished second in the Fleur de Lis Handicap (G2) in her return. Her next outings produced fantastic victories in the Delaware Handicap (G1) and Personal Ensign Handicap (G1). She then ran second to Kentucky Oaks (G1) victress Princess of Sylmar (Majestic Warrior) in the Beldame Invitational Stakes (G1) and finished her career running fourth in the Breeders' Cup Distaff (G1), an event she won in 2011 and 2012.

Produced from the A.P. Indy (Seattle Slew) mare Delta Princess, Royal Delta has been retired from the track and made a trip to Ireland to visit top European sire Galileo (Ire) (Sadler's Wells) this year.

The Slew Crew congratulates Royal Delta and her connections — owner Besilu Stables, breeder Palides Investments, trainer Bill Mott and jockey Mike Smith — on all her wonderful performances. We wish Royal Delta all the best as she embarks on her next career.


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