Forever Unbridled (foaled April 24, 2012) is a retired American Thoroughbred racehorse who was named the Champion Older Mare of 2017 after winning the Fleur de Lis Handicap, Personal Ensign Stakes and Breeders' Cup Distaff.
[2] She was sired by Unbridled's Song, who won the Breeders' Cup Juvenile and Florida Derby but had his career cut short by soundness issues.
[4] On November 9, 2014, Forever Unbridled made her first start in a maiden special weight race for two-year-old fillies at Churchill Downs, finishing second.
[7] She then entered the Apple Blossom Handicap at Oaklawn Park on April 15, where her main rival was the 2014 champion filly Untapable.
[1] On October 1, she was made the 3-5 favorite in the Beldame Stakes, the major east coast prep for the Breeders' Cup Distaff.
"[9] The 2016 Breeders' Cup Distaff, held at Santa Anita Park on November 4, featured one of the strongest fields in its history.
In a dramatic race, Beholder nosed Songbird at the wire for the win, with Forever Unbridled putting in a strong run to finish third.
Songbird set a sensible pace and had a comfortable lead as they rounded the turn, when Forever Unbridled started her move from five lengths behind.
[17] Stewart originally intended to prep for the Breeders' Cup Distaff in the Beldame,[17] but decided instead to train the mare straight up to the race.
Then shortly before the Distaff, Fipke decided to replace her regular rider Joel Rosario with Hall of Fame jockey John Velazquez.
[18] The field for the Distaff was considered closely matched between the older horse division led by Stellar Wind and Forever Unbridled against a competitive three-year-old division led by Elate (Alabama, Beldame Stakes), Paradise Woods (Santa Anita Oaks, Zenyatta Stakes) and Abel Tasman (Kentucky Oaks, Acorn).
[19] Longshot Champagne Room went to the early lead followed closely by Paradise Woods, with Forever Unbridled rating near the back of the main pack in sixth.
[20] Stewart called Forever Unbridled the best horse he'd ever trained and commended Fipke for not retiring her when the bone chip was discovered.