2008 Racing Season
Having finished either first or second in 18 of her 22 career starts, Ginger Punch continued to race at age five. She made her debut on January 26, 2008, with a 6 ¾ lengths win in the Sunshine Millions Distaff. In the Grade I Apple Blossom Handicap on April 5, she finished third to then-undefeated multiple Grade I winner Zenyatta. On June 14, 2008, she took the Grade I Ogden Phipps Handicap by five or more lengths in a hand ride. On July 26, 2008, she took the Go For Wand Handicap for the second consecutive time, splitting horses for the lead. On August 22, 2008, she outran Lemon Drop Mom to win the Grade I Personal Ensign Handicap by a head bob. Frankel then decided to point his champion mare to the Grade I Beldame Stakes and Breeders' Cup Ladies' Classic to attempt to become the leading female purse winner in North America. However, on a sloppy track at Belmont Park on September 27, Ginger Punch finished a neck behind Cocoa Beach in the $600,000 Beldame Stakes. On October 24, she was fifth in a strong field of eight Grade I winners: Zenyatta, Cocoa Beach, Music Note, Carriage Trail, and Hystericalady (Carriage Trail and Hystericalady were in a dead heat for 4th place) in the Breeders' Cup Ladies' Classic.
Ginger Punch was a finalist for the Eclipse Award's American Champion Older Female Horse for 2008 and retired to broodmare duties in 2009. She was bred to Bernardini and was sold for $1 million to Japanese interests while in foal. Ginger Punch now lives in Japan.
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