Champion Fierceness Wins Seasonal Debut in G2 Alysheba

Champion and future Coolmore America stallion Fierceness kicked his 4-year-old campaign off on a high note Friday with a victory in the Grade II Alysheba Stakes at Churchill Downs in track record time.

Going off as the race favorite when facing a strong field in the 1 1/16-mile dirt race, Fierceness broke well before settling behind a pressured leader. The colt was positioned a few paths off the rail to make sure he was given clear running throughout.

As the field started to navigate the far turn, John Velazquez let Fierceness show his best and he made a huge move to join the leader. Velazquez looked confident in his mount turning into the stretch and after a few taps, put the whip away to let Fierceness cruise to a 1 ½ length win.

Owned by the Coolmore partners and Repole Stable – who also bred the colt, this was the sixth win in 10 starts for Fierceness. Trained by Todd Pletcher, he was named Champion 2-Year-Old Male in 2023 and registered victories in the Grade I Florida Derby, Grade I Travers Stakes, and Grade II Jim Dandy Stakes last year.

He also finished second in the Grade I Breeders' Cup Classic behind Sierra Leone, who is owned by Coolmore, Peter Brant, Westerberg, and Brook Smith.

"He's a nice horse and he showed it today. But, wow! A track record at Churchill Downs, that's a really big deal. We've got lots of options with him right now but I'd have to think the [GI] Met Mile is on the top of the current list,” Pletcher said.

By City of Light, Fierceness is a full brother to Grade III winner Mentee. Their two-time winning dam Nonna Bella, who finished fourth in a Grade II is a half-sister to Grade I winner Outwork and multiple stakes placed Nonna’s Boy.

A top runner in his generation year after year, Fierceness will join the Coolmore America roster at the conclusion of his career.