DON Wehby of Oakridge Farms, owner of Atomica, says his brilliant filly who won the 1000 Guineas and Jamaica Derby Classic races this season to become the leading native-bred three-year-old — male or female — could soon be heading into retirement.

Bred by Nuclear Wayne out of the Reparations mare Honkeytonkville, Atomica has so far raced eight times, winning on seven occasions while finishing second once. She has stakes earnings of over $11.1 million.

Atomica last raced on Saturday, October 1, 2022, when she easily brushed aside rivals to win the Open Allowance call for the I’msatistifed Trophy going six furlongs (1,200m). Trained by Gary Subratie and ridden by Dane Dawkins, Atomica won by 7½ lengths in a time of 1:10.4, which was a new Stakes record run.

“I will have to consult with my son Nicholas, who is also a part of Oakridge Farms, as I don’t like to run my fillies too long — so don’t be surprised to see a horse like Atomica retiring as a four-year-old (2023),” Wehby told this publication.

“I don’t believe in running fillies too long, especially on so special as Atomica. I have never owned such an outstanding horse like this, not even close. As I said before, when you go to the stables and hug her, she is as calm as ever, like a pet.

“I was watching a documentary on Zenyatta (former top rated filly in the United States) and I was saying that it is the same thing with Atomica. I don’t compare her [Atomica] to Zenyatta but I find that personality in a filly very interesting. But, she [Atomica] is a super horse and by far the best three-year-old in the country, plus you have to remember that there is life after racing and that is in the breeding shed, and I have a good stallion (Aveenu Malcainu) currently standing at Orange Valley Estates,” Wehby said.

Wehby added that if all goes well, Atomica might follow in the footsteps of the brilliant She’s A Maneater.

“I am a big fan of She’s A Maneater and She’s A Maneater has accomplished a lot. She ran until she was about five or six but Atomica is only a three-year-old and so there’s a long way to go; but I am still saying that She’s A Maneater, based on her career, is one of the best fillies I have seen. Hopefully Atomica can reach that level if she can stay sound,” Wehby said.

Despite Atomica‘s impressive win last Saturday while beating She’s My Destiny out of sight in her first attempt at the Open Allowance level, Wehby said that winning the Derby with Atomica still remains his best moment.

“This horse has brought so much joy, not only to me but also to my family. As you know, this is her eighth start and seventh victory, and the one that is most pleasing and joyous to me was the Jamaica Derby. That one was special because (most of you already know) that my dad passed away on August 2 and he was the founder of Oakridge Farms and so to win the Derby was an honour — it was really great. This horse, as you can see, is very special; you only get this type of horse only once in a lifetime.

“I am looking for greater things from her to come. I will have to speak to the trainer as it is really his decision on future races. for her. After that we will probably go to the Benson and Hedges [Gold Cup] on October 22, then the Jamaica Cup, and then probably onto the Mouttet Mile,” Wehby disclosed.