Free Like a Girl is a true rags-to-riches success story

This is not a story about another high-priced Chad Brown-trained runner or another blue Godolphin-bred horse. Rather, it’s about hope. Hope and dreams for the little guy, or in this case the girl.

Free like a girl She may have been a nobody when she arrived on the scene at the 2020 Equine Sales of Louisiana yearling auction, but in her heart she would be a queen.

With the 2024 Breeders’ Cup I doubt many race fans had Friday night’s card at Delta Downs on their radar. If that’s true, you missed El Deal’s five-year-old daughter doing what she does best.

Running in her home state for the first time in six starts, the premier mare was ready to shine. A true rags-to-riches success story, Free Like a Girl lived up to her high expectations in the $100,000 Magnolia Stakes.

The Chasey Deville-Pomier trainee was sent into the seven-furlong event for Louisiana-bred fillies and mares at odds of 2-5. By breaking away sharply from her position at the outside post, she comfortably found a good spot behind the early leaders.

When asked for more, Free Like a Girl responded with a speed boost on the outside for rider Elio Barrera. From there it was just one ride to victory by 2 3/4 easy lengths over the game’s runner-up, Miss Priority.

While it wasn’t anything new, with every win she adds to her credentials, there’s more reason to celebrate what a special horse she was to her connections.

“We have thoroughly enjoyed every moment of this incredible journey she has taken us on and are grateful for every moment,” said Deville-Pomier. “She has so much personality in her daily grooming and leaves me speechless every time she walks the track.”

Free Like a Girl is co-owned by Gerald Bruno Jr., Deville-Pomier and Jerry Caroom and was bred in Louisiana by Kim Renee Stover and Lisa Osborne. To say that Free Like a Girl came from humble beginnings would be a bit of an understatement.

From a sire who stands for $2,500 in Louisiana and out of Flashy Prize, a Flashy Bull mare who has won just a maiden and an allowance at Turf Paradise in her 11-race career, it makes perfect sense that Free Like a Girl wouldn’t have been is considered a great prize as a yearling.

In fact, she sold for $5,500 and only made her maiden voyage on her fourth career start. The 6 1/2-long romp at Evangeline Downs showed promise, however, and Free Like a Girl quickly began to figure things out.

Before her two-year-old season ended, she won assignments with a Louisiana native and has been taking her friends on the ride of a lifetime ever since.

She became so good in her home state that she was given the opportunity to prove herself outside the friendly confines of Louisiana. At age 3, she tried graded stakes four times, placing fourth in the Honeybee (G3) at Oaklawn, third in the Iowa Oaks (G3) at Prairie Meadows and second in both the Charles Town Oaks (G3). also at the Remington Park Oaks (G3).

She continued to thrive and get better throughout her busy racing schedule. Unlike the bluebloods who attract most of the attention in their sport, Free Like a Girl has been running regularly throughout and has now made 43 career starts.

She even gave her trainer and partner the opportunity to teach her about family life.

“For my kids, if Free was the underdog, I had the opportunity to show them how to overcome anything,” Deville-Pomier said.

And as an underdog, she has proven that she has the heart of a champion that most horses lack. Many of these horses cost hundreds of times as much as them and even more.

In 2024, Free Like a Girl has tested the deepest waters and proven that she belongs. Winner of the $500,000 Pink Ribbon Stakes at Charles Town in August, her five-year-old season also included her first attempt at Grade 1 racing.

She never intended to beat the likes of Adare Manor and Idiomatic in these races, but a third place in the $1.25 million Apple Blossom and a second place in the $1 million Fleur de Lis proved it that the young talent from Louisiana can keep up with anyone.

Being at home with other state horses on Friday gave the home fans a chance to enjoy the Louisiana star. The victory was her 19th of 43 career starts over four racing seasons. This also increased her career budget to just under $2 million.

A winner of six starts and nine tries at Delta Downs, Free Like a Girl is the richest horse in history among Louisiana-bred horses with career earnings of $1,979,978. Not bad for a filly purchased four years ago for just $5,500.

Unsurprisingly, Free Like a Girl has meant a lot to many who follow her.

“I also enjoyed watching her fans hug and support her, and when I have the opportunity to hear their stories, it is a great fulfillment in my job,” said Deville-Pomier.

And she’s now more than just a local star. The Louisiana-bred mare has proven herself at some of the highest levels of the sport and has shown us that a wonderful horse can come from anywhere. In many ways it is everything that is right about our sport.

Above all, it is a wonderful reminder of what is possible in Thoroughbred horse racing. From pauper to princess, Free Like a Girl is a champion in my opinion.