Grade I Winner Didia Retired

[Wandering Eyes]

Merriebelle Stable and Resolute Racing's Grade I winner Didia (Arg) (Orpen–Delambre {Brz}, by Rainbow Corner), who was being pointed to a title defense in the GII Pegasus World Cup Filly & Mare Turf Invitational at Gulfstream Park next month, has been retired from racing, trainer Ignacio “Nacho” Correas, IV confirmed Thursday.

“Didia is retired. She's going to be a mama,” Correas said. “She was a very nice horse and she'll make a great mama.”

A two-time Group 1 winner and champion 3-year-old filly in her native Argentina, Didia won the first four starts of her U.S. campaign, culminating with a win in the GIII Modesty Stakes at Churchill Downs in May 2023. She was runner-up in the GI New York Stakes that June before returning to the winner's circle in the GII Rodeo Drive Stakes in October.

Didia opened 2024 with a win in the Pegasus World Cup F/M Turf and added John Stewart's Resolute Racing to her ownership line after that effort. The 6-year-old mare returned to be third for the new partnership in the Apr. 12 GI Jenny Wiley Stakes and won the New York Stakes at Saratoga in June. She concluded her racing career with a third-place effort in the Nov. 2 GI Breeders' Cup F/M Turf. On the board in 15 of 20 starts, Didia won 11 times and earned $1,754,511.

“Every time a good horse leaves your barn, you're very thankful for everything they have given you. The fact is, they're not easy to replace,” Correas said. “But we have some new faces. She's going to be missed, of course, but hopefully someone can take her place.”

Looking for his next star for Resolute Racing, Correas will saddle Tutta La Vita (The Autumn Sun {Aus}) in her North American debut in Saturday's opener at Gulfstream, an optional claiming allowance for filles and mares, three and up, scheduled for one mile on the turf.

“It's very exciting. She's training very well. It's her first time in America and we hope she runs a good race,” Correas said. “She's done well since she's been here; if not, we would have waited longer. We're looking forward to her running.”

Stewart purchased Tutta La Vita, a three-time Group 1-placed mare in Australia, for $2,105,447 from the Inglis Chairman Sale in the spring.

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