UNIQUE Bella won the Grade 1 La Brea Stakes at the end of December and subsequently was crowned the champion sprint filly in the USA. The grey made her seasonal reappearance last weekend in the Grade 2 Santa Maria Stakes a winning one, and in the process recorded her seventh victory in nine career starts.

Last year she also won the Grade 2 Santa Ynez Stakes and Las Virgenes Stakes, and the Grade 3 LA Woman Stakes and Santa Ysabel Stakes. Her earnings are now over $700,000 and she is set to be one of the racing stars of 2018. She is due to start next in the Grade 1 Santa Margarita Stakes on St Patrick’s Day. Bred by Brushwood Stables, Unique Bella realised $400,000 as a yearling at Keeneland.