Kentucky-bred Tenebrism has been named top European 2-Year-Old Filly of 2021 along with Inspiral, it was announced by the British Horseracing Authority. Tenebrism, by Carvaggio out of the Pivotal (GB) mare Immortal Verse (IRE), is trained by Aidan O’Brien for the partnership of Westerberg, Coolmore, and Merriebelle Stables. She was bred in the Bluegrass by Merriebelle Stables and Orpendale/Chelston/Wynatt.
Tenebrism, who had a classification of 115 and was undefeated in two starts as a juvenile, registered her biggest victory of the season in the Cheveley Park S. (G1) at Newmarket in September after breaking her maiden at Naas on debut in March of last year.
Following the Group 1 success, O’Brien said of Tenebrism, “I didn’t think was possible for her to do it, not because of ability, but because of the layoff. She had a setback after her first race and was off a long time. She was literally just ready to come racing…and you don’t often get horses with her speed and turn of foot. I just thought today was too early for her.”
Garry O’Gorman, senior handicapper for the Irish Horse Racing Regulatory Board, noted of the Kentucky-bred, “Tenebrism graduated from her maiden win nearly six months earlier to Group 1 success in stunning fashion and is the fifth juvenile filly trained in Ballydoyle to achieve the mantle of European Champion (or joint champion) juvenile filly in the last 11 years.”