Category Archives: Horse Racing

While the summer is coming to a close, that just means that we are headed into the ultra-competitive fall racing season. The road to the Breeders’ Cup at Keeneland is top priority for a number of horses and their connections, and along the way lie a variety of top-level races. 

This past weekend was highlighted by Saratoga Racecourse’s Travers Stakes Day, which included six graded stakes races. Check out some of the #HorseCountryConnections below, and we’d like to send our congratulations to all involved with these horses! 

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G1 Travers Stakes – Epicenter

G1 Kentucky Derby and G1 Preakness Stakes runner-up Epicenter put in his claim for top three year old colt with a definitive victory in the G1 Travers Stakes. Known as the Midsummer Derby, the Travers Stakes bring together some of the best three-year-olds each year. Epicenter is a son of Not This Time, who stands at Taylor Made Farm. 

You can visit Taylor Made Farm, the home of Not This Time and his dam Miss Macy Sue! Click here to book your tour.

G1 Personal Ensign Stakes – Malathaat

Kentucky Oaks (2021) winner and Eclipse Champion Malathaat got back to her winning ways with a victory in the G1 Personal Ensign Stakes. This was the fourth G1 win for the filly, who is out of Stonestreet Farm’s Dreaming of Julia. She was bred by Stonestreet, and consigned by Denali Stud at the 2019 Keeneland September Yearling Sale for $1.05 million. 

You can visit the nursery division of both Stonestreet Farm and Denali Stud for a more in depth look at the process of raising Thoroughbreds and preparing them for the sales. You may even get to pet and feed some mares and foals when you visit!

Click here to visit Stonestreet Farm, and click here to visit Denali Stud . 

G1 Forego Stakes – Cody’s Wish

G1 Forego Stakes – Cody’s Wish, bred, raised and owned by Godolphin. Cody’s Wish is named after Cody Dorman, a racing fan who met the colt and his mother, G1 winner Dance Card, at Gainsborough Farm through the Make a Wish program. The colt notched his first G1 win in the Forego Stakes, defeating champion sprinter Jackie’s Warrior. 

You can visit Gainsborough Farm, and have the chance to see his dam Dance Card and his siblings! Book your tour here. 

G1 Allen Jerkens Stakes – Jack Christopher

G1 Allen Jerkens Memorial – Jack Christopher 

Jack Christopher avenged his loss in the G1 Haskell Stakes one start back with a strong victory in the G1 Allen Jerkens Memorial, a top-rated sprint race for three year olds. The colt is a son of Munnings, who stands at Coolmore at Ashford Stud. 

You can visit Coolmore at Ashford Stud, the home of Munnings! Book your tour here.

G2 Pat O’Brien Stakes – Laurel River

On the West Coast, Del Mar racing hosted a great weekend of graded stakes as well. The G2 Pat O’ Brien Stakes went to the four year old colt Laurel River. A son of Spendthrift Farm’s stallion Into Mischief, Laurel River has earned a berth into the Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile thanks to his win in the Pat O’ Brien Stakes. 

You can visit the Spendthrift Farm stallion complex, home of Into Mischief, on a tour of their farm! Click here to book your tour. 

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Be sure to follow along with our #BitbyBitBlog as we follow the Breeders’ Cup Challenge Series, as well as other big racing events throughout the rest of the year! 

Spring is a time for big dreams here in the Bluegrass. Foaling season is in full swing, and with every new foal born comes the hope that they are the next superstar on and off the racetrack. Each foal has the potential to become the next great equine athlete, and that hope drives the breeding and racing industry. 

The Triple Crown brings to light these hopes and dreams unlike anything else in Thoroughbred horse racing, a chance to become one of the few horses to win the Kentucky Derby, Preakness Stakes and Belmont Stakes and have their name etched in the history books. The final leg of the Triple Crown, the G1 Belmont Stakes, is set to be contested this Saturday, June 11 at Belmont Park just outside of New York City.

Horse Country is home to some of the top racehorses before, during and after their racing careers, including nine of the past twelve winners of the G1 Belmont Stakes. Learn more about these winners who now call Horse Country member locations home! 

2021 – Essential Quality

After landing just out of the money at the 2021 Kentucky Derby, Essential Quality went on to beat Hot Rod Charlie by one length in the 2021 Belmont Stakes. Essential Quality is owned by Horse Country member Godolphin. Members who visited Jonabell Farm (now the Godolphin mares and foals live at Gainsborough Farm) in 2018 more than likely saw Essential Quality as a foal!

Essential Quality now stands at Jonabell Farm, and you can learn more and book a tour here.

2020 – Tiz the Law

In 2020, the order of the Triple Crown races was changed because of the COVID-19 pandemic – the Triple Crown started with the Belmont Stakes followed by the Kentucky Derby and finished with the Preakness Stakes. The order change caused the Belmont Stakes to be shortened to 1 ⅛ miles instead of the regular 1 ½ miles. Tiz the Law rolled home in the 2020 Belmont Stakes by over one length. 

Tiz the Law now stands stud at Coolmore’s Ashford Stud in Versailles, Kentucky. Learn more and book a tour of Coolmore at Ashford Stud here.

2018 – Justify

Just a few years off of the Triple Crown triumph of American Pharoah, the undefeated Justify followed in the hoofprints of his future stablemate in becoming the 13th Triple Crown winner. Owned by Horse Country member WinStar Farm in partnership with China Horse Club, Head of Plains Partners LLC and Starlight Racing, Justify strode to a single length victory under jockey Mike Smith. 

Justify now stands stud at Coolmore’s Ashford Stud in Versailles, Kentucky. Learn more and book a tour of Coolmore at Ashford Stud here.

2017 – Tapwrit

Tapwrit entered the 2017 Belmont Stakes with 5-1 odds, second favorite behind Irish War Cry. Tapwrit stayed in the middle for a majority of the race, gradually closing in on Irish War Cry, going on to win the race by two lengths.

Tapwrit currently is standing at stud at Gainesway. To learn more and book your tour click here.

2015 – American Pharoah

American Pharoah entered the Belmont Stakes off of impressive victories in the Kentucky Derby and Preakness Stakes. His victory in the Belmont Stakes crowned him the 12th Triple Crown winner and the first one in 37 years.

American Pharoah now stands stud at Coolmore’s Ashford Stud in Versailles, Kentucky. Learn more and book a tour of Coolmore at Ashford Stud here.

2014 – Tonalist

Tonalist made waves with his Belmont Stakes win after surpassing the favored California Chrome, who was attempting to win the Triple Crown. Prior to running in the Belmont, Tonalist won the Peter Pan Stakes in May of 2014, making him the first horse since A.P. Indy in 1992 to win the Peter Pan and Belmont Stakes double.

Tonalist is currently standing at Lane’s End Farm. Learn more about Lane’s End and book a tour here.

2013 – Palice Malice

Palace Malice was eager to redeem himself after being overtaken in the Kentucky Derby to finish 12th. In the Belmont, Jockey Mike Smith went on to keep his colt behind the leaders for a majority of the race, before passing them on the final stretch and winning by three and a quarter lengths.

Palice Malice now stands at Three Chimneys Farm in Versailles, Kentucky. Learn more and book a tour here.

2012 – Union Rags

After a rough start in the Kentucky Derby, trainer Michael Matz set his sights on the Belmont Stakes for his colt Union Rags. Union Rags won by a neck after a battle for first with Paynter in the final strides of the race.

Union Rags currently stands at Lane’s End Farm. Learn more and book a tour here.

2010 – Drosselmeyer

Drosselmeyer entered into the Belmont Stakes at 13-1 odds and a new jockey, Mike Smith. When the race was underway Smith kept Drosselmeyer on the outside of the pack and a few lengths back to conserve his energy for the home stretch. This was the right call as they passed the favorites for the race, Ice Box and First Dude, to win the race by 1 ¾ lengths.

Drosselmeyer stands at Winstar Farm beside his father Distorted Humor. Learn more and book a tour here.

The final jewel of the Triple Crown is set to be contested just outside of New York City this weekend. The Belmont Stakes will be run at Belmont Park over a distance of 1 1/2th miles. 

Eight horses will head to post this Saturday, June 11 for their chance at the blanket of white carnations and the history books. Kentucky Derby winner Rich Strike returns to the races, five weeks after his shocking 80-1 upset on the First Saturday in May. He is set to face a handful of Kentucky Derby and Preakness Stakes runners, along with some newcomers to the Triple Crown series. 

Among the nine contenders is Kentucky Oaks runner-up Nest, the only filly to race in this year’s edition. Fillies have only won the Belmont Stakes three times; Ruthless in 1867, Tanya in 1905 and most recently, Rags to Riches in 2007. 

The field for the G1 Belmont Stakes has connections to several of our Horse Country members, and we will be rooting them on this weekend! Post time for the Belmont Stakes is approximately 6:45 p.m. ET, and the race and all pre-race coverage will be streamed live on NBC and the Peacock app.

Airdrie Stud 

• Creative Minister (post position #5) is by Airdrie Stud stallion Creative Cause. 

Coolmore at Ashford Stud 

• Mo Donegal (post position #6) is by Coolmore stallion Uncle Mo.

Keeneland

• We The People (post position #1), Skippylongstocking (post position #2), Nest (post position #3), Creative Minister (post position #5) and Mo Donegal (post position #6) were all sold at Keeneland as yearlings.
• We The People (post position #1), Golden Glider (post position #7) and Barber Road (post position #8) were sold at Keeneland as a weanling.
• Nest (post position #3) won the G1 Ashland Stakes at Keeneland this spring.

Taylor Made Farm 

• We The People (post position #1) was consigned by Taylor Made as a weanling at the Keeneland November Sale. 

WinStar Farm

• We The People (post position #1) is by WinStar Farm stallion Constitution, and is owned by WinStar Farm along with their partners CMNWLTH and Siena Farm.

To learn more about the Belmont Stakes, check them out online here or on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.

Spring is a time for big dreams here in the Bluegrass. Foaling season is in full swing, and with every new foal born comes the hope that they are the next superstar on and off the racetrack. Each foal has the potential to become the next great equine athlete, and that hope drives the breeding and racing industry. 

The Triple Crown brings to light these hopes and dreams unlike anything else in Thoroughbred horse racing, a chance to become one of the few horses to win the Kentucky Derby, Preakness Stakes and Belmont Stakes and have their name etched in the history books. The second leg of the Triple Crown, the G1 Preakness Stakes, is set to be contested this Saturday, May 21 at Pimlico Racecourse in Baltimore, Maryland. 

While there will be no Triple Crown attempt this year, as Kentucky Derby winner Rich Strike is bypassing the Preakness Stakes, the hope of winning a single Triple Crown race is enough to draw some of the top three year olds in the country. Eight colts and one filly are entered in this year’s edition of the Preakness.

Horse Country is home to some of the top racehorses before, during and after their racing careers, including five winners of the G1 Preakness Stakes. Learn more about these winners who now call Horse Country member locations home! 

2018 Preakness Stakes – Justify 

Just a few years off of the Triple Crown triumph of American Pharoah, the undefeated Justify followed in the hoofprints of his future stablemate in becoming the 13th Triple Crown winner. Owned by Horse Country member WinStar Farm in partnership with China Horse Club, Head of Plains Partners LLC and Starlight Racing, Justify strode to a half-length victory under jockey Mike Smith. 

Justify now stands stud at Coolmore’s Ashford Stud in Versailles, Kentucky. Learn more and book a tour of Coolmore at Ashford Stud here.

2017 Preakness Stakes – Cloud Computing 

The 2017 edition of the Preakness Stakes did not result in a Triple Crown hope, but instead a thrilling stretch duel in the final furlong of the race. After sitting on the lead alongside Kentucky Derby winner Always Dreaming for a majority of the race, Classic Empire drew away in the stretch, only to be run down by Cloud Computing, who took the victory by a head in the final strides.

Cloud Computing now stands stud at Spendthrift Farm in Lexington, Kentucky. Learn more and book a tour at Spendthrift Farm here.

2015 Preakness Stakes – American Pharoah

American Pharoah entered the Preakness Stakes off of an impressive victory in the Kentucky Derby two weeks earlier, and just like all Kentucky Derby winners who contest the Preakness, he carried the hopes of a Triple Crown victory. A seven length victory in the Preakness Stakes set up American Pharoah for a much-awaited run in the Belmont Stakes three weeks later, in which he became the 12th Triple Crown winner and the first in 37 years.

American Pharoah now stands stud at Coolmore’s Ashford Stud in Versailles, Kentucky. Learn more and book a tour of Coolmore at Ashford Stud here.

2009 Preakness Stakes – Rachel Alexandra

This year, Kentucky Oaks winner Secret Oath will be the sole filly to run against the boys in the Preakness Stakes. 13 years ago, another Kentucky Oaks winner in Rachel Alexandra took on the colts and went wire to wire to win the second leg of the Triple Crown. She would go on to become one of the most famous racemares of all time – winning multiple grade one races including the G1 Woodward against older males as a three year old filly during her storied career.

While Rachel Alexandra is not featured on tours, you can visit her place of residence, Stonestreet Farm and meet possible future champions like Rachel! Learn more and book a tour at Stonestreet Farm here.

2005 Preakness Stakes – Afleet Alex

It is not often a horse can accomplish a victory in the way that Afleet Alex won the 2005 Preakness Stakes. Even though he placed third in the Kentucky Derby, Afleet Alex entered the Preakness as the favorite. While making a run from the back of the pack, Afleet Alex ran into traffic and fell to his knees at the top of the stretch. He and jockey Jeremy Rose recovered almost instantly, and ran away with the race to win by nearly five lengths. Rose and Afleet Alex would go on to win the Belmont Stakes three weeks later.

Afleet Alex now resides at Gainesway Farm in Lexington, Kentucky where he has been pensioned, or retired, from stud duty. Learn more and book a tour at Gainesway Farm here.

The middle jewel of the Triple Crown is set to be contested in Baltimore, Maryland this weekend. The Preakness Stakes, set two weeks after the Kentucky Derby, is run at Pimlico Racecourse over a distance of 1 3/16ths miles. 

Nine horses will head to post this Saturday, May 21 for their chance at the blanket of black-eyed susans and the history books. Though Rich Strike, winner of this year’s Kentucky Derby will not be running, there is a strong field set for the Preakness Stakes. Among the nine contenders is Kentucky Oaks winner Secret Oath, the only filly to race in this year’s edition. Fillies have won the middle jewel six times, including 2020 victor Swiss Skydiver and 2009 victor Rachel Alexandra. Kentucky Derby runner-up Epicenter looks to hit the wire first just two weeks after his 3/4 length loss in the Run for the Roses, and is joined by fourth-place Derby finisher Simplification.

The field for the G1 Preakness Stakes has connections to several of our Horse Country members, and we will be rooting them on this weekend! Post time for the Preakness Stakes is approximately 6:45 p.m. ET, and the race and all pre-race coverage will be streamed live on NBC, NBCsports.com and the Peacock app. 

Airdrie Stud 

• Creative Minister (post position #2) is by Airdrie Stud stallion Creative Cause. 

Gainesway Farm 

• Fenwick (post position #3) was consigned/sold by Gainesway Farm as a yearling.

Keeneland

• Armagnac (post position #7), Simplification (post position #1) and Skippylongstocking (post position #9) were all sold at Keeneland as yearlings. 

Lane’s End Farm

• Armagnac (post position #7) is by Lane’s End Farm stallion Quality Road. 

Taylor Made Farm 

• Simplification (post position #1) is by Taylor Made Farm stallion Not This Time, and was consigned by Taylor Made Sales as a yearling. 
• Epicenter (post position #8) is by Taylor Made Farm stallion Not This Time. 

Three Chimneys Farm 

• Early Voting (post position #5) is by Three Chimneys Farm stallion Gun Runner, and was bred by Three Chimneys Farm. 

To learn more about the Preakness Stakes, check them out online here or on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.

Every year on the First Friday in May, the Kentucky Oaks brings together the best three year old fillies. The filly equivalent to the Kentucky Derby, the Kentucky Oaks is the culmination of years of planning and preparation for these horses and their connections. The winner of the Kentucky Oaks receives a blanket of pink lillies draped over their back as they head into the famed Churchill Downs’ winner’s circle.

We are a little over a week away from the Kentucky Oaks, so we have put together a list of the contenders with #HorseCountryConnections! For many of the contenders this year, their journeys began in, have run through, or are connected to Horse Country. We are so excited for our members who have a connection to our industry’s signature race.

This list is based off of the most recent update to the Road to the Kentucky Oaks leaderboard. The post position draw for the race will take place on Tuesday, May 3rd. Be sure to stay tuned to our social media channels for more updates ahead of the 2022 Kentucky Oaks.

Airdrie Stud – Visit Airdrie Stud | Derby Week 2022

• Kathleen O – sired by Airdrie stallion Upstart.

Godolphin – Visit Jonabell Farm | Derby Week 2022 (stallions) & Visit Gainsborough Farm | Derby Week 2022 (mares and foals)

• Nostalgic – sired by Darley stallion Medaglia d’Oro and bred, raised and owned by Godolphin.
• Turnerloose – sired by Darley stallion Nyquist.

Spendthrift Farm – Visit Spendthrift Farm | Derby Week 2022

• Ain’t Easy – sired by Spendthrift stallion Into Mischief.

Lane’s End Farm – Visit Lane’s End Farm | Derby Week 2022

• Goddess of Fire – sired by Lane’s End stallion Mineshaft.
• Hidden Connection – sired by Lane’s End stallion Connect.
• Candy Raid – sired by Lane’s End stallion Candy Ride.

Keeneland – Keeneland Morning Works Tour and Keeneland Backstretch Tour

• Kathleen O – sold at the 2019 Keeneland November Sale.
• Echo Zulu – sold at the 2020 September Yearling Sale.
• Nest – won the G1 Ashland Stakes at Keeneland in April, and was sold at the 2020 September Yearling Sale.
• Turnerloose – sold at the 2020 September Yearling Sale.
• Hidden Connection – sold at the 2020 September Yearling Sale.
• Cocktail Moments – placed second in the G1 Ashland Stakes at Keeneland in April, and was sold at Keeneland twice, during the 2019 November Sale and 2020 September Yearling Sale.
• Candy Raid – sold at the 2020 September Yearling Sale.
• Ain’t Easy – sold at the 2020 September Yearling Sale.

Coolmore at Ashford Stud – Visit Coolmore at Ashford Stud*

• Desert Dawn – sired by Coolmore stallion Cupid.
• Cocktail Moments – sired by Coolmore stallion Uncle Mo.
• Shahama – sired by Coolmore stallion Munnings.
• Adare Manor – sired by Coolmore stallion Uncle Mo.

Stonestreet Farm | Visit Stonestreet Farm*

• Candy Raid – bred by Stonestreet Thoroughbred Holdings LLC

Gainesway Farm

• Kathleen O – co-bred by Gainesway Thoroughbreds Ltd. and Bridlewood Farm.

Three Chimneys Farm

• Echo Zulu – sired by Three Chimneys stallion Gun Runner.
• Shotgun Hottie – sired by Three Chimneys stallion Gun Runner.
• Beguine – sired by Three Chimneys stallion Gun Runner.

* denotes that tours are available outside of Kentucky Derby week.

To learn more about the Kentucky Derby, check them out online here or on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.

Every May, the Kentucky Derby brings the world’s attention to the Bluegrass state. Years of preparation comes down to two minutes for the three year old horses and their connections, all hoping to have a blanket of roses draped across their horse in the Churchill Downs winner’s circle. We are a little over two weeks away from the First Saturday in May, so we put together a list of the contenders with #HorseCountryConnections! For many of the contenders this year, their journeys began in, have run through, or are connected to Horse Country. We are so excited for our members who have a connection to our industry’s signature race.

This list is based off of the most recent update to the Road to the Kentucky Derby leaderboard. The post position draw for the race will take place on Tuesday, May 3rd. Be sure to stay tuned to our social media channels for more updates ahead of the 2022 Kentucky Derby.

Taylor Made Farm – Visit Taylor Made Farm | Derby Week 2022

• Epicenter – sired by Taylor Made stallion Not This Time
• Simplification – sired by Taylor Made stallion Not This Time, and consigned by Taylor Made as a weanling.
• In Due Time – sired by Taylor Made stallion Not This Time.

Airdrie Stud – Visit Airdrie Stud | Derby Week 2022

• Zandon – sired by Airdrie stallion Upstart and bred by Airdrie Stud’s Brereton C. Jones.
• Summer is Tomorrow – sired by Airdrie stallion Summer Front and bred by Airdrie Stud’s Brereton C. Jones.

Spendthrift Farm – Visit Spendthrift Farm | Derby Week 2022

• White Abarrio – bred by Spendthrift Farm.
• Tiz the Bomb – sired by Spendthrift stallion Hit it a Bomb and bred by Spendthrift Farm.

Lane’s End Farm – Visit Lane’s End Farm | Derby Week 2022

• Ethereal Road – sired by Lane’s End stallion Quality Road.

Keeneland – Keeneland Morning Works Tour and Keeneland Backstretch Tour

• Zandon – won the G1 Blue Grass Stakes at Keeneland this month.
• Smile Happy – placed second in the G1 Blue Grass Stakes a Keeneland this month, and was sold at the 2019 Keeneland November Sale.
• Tiz the Bomb – won the G2 Bourbon Stakes at Keeneland last fall.
• Tawny Port – won the G3 Lexington Stakes at Keeneland this month, and was sold at the 2020 Keeneland September Yearling Sale.
• Barber Road – broke his maiden (won his first race) at Keeneland last fall, and was sold at the 2019 Keeneland November Sale.
• Summer is Tomorrow – sold at Keeneland twice, during the 2019 November Sale and 2020 September Yearling Sale.

Coolmore at Ashford Stud – Visit Coolmore at Ashford Stud*

• Mo Donegal – sired by Coolmore stallion Uncle Mo.
• Zozos – sired by Coolmore stallion Munnings.

Gainesway Farm

• Charge It – sired by Gainesway stallion Tapit.
• Happy Jack – damsire is Gainesway stallion Tapit.

Three Chimneys Farm

• Taiba – sired by Three Chimneys stallion Gun Runner.
• Cyberknife – sired by Three Chimneys stallion Gun Runner.
• Early Voting – sired by Three Chimneys stallion Gun Runner.

* denotes that tours are available outside of Kentucky Derby week.

To learn more about the Kentucky Derby, check them out online here or on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.