STILLWATER, N.Y. – Light on his feet and shaking his head, Rich Strike danced into the show ring at the Irish Hill and Dutchess Views Stallions operation looking much as he did when he was led over for his 2022 Kentucky Derby upset – or like he could head down the winding country roads to nearby Saratoga Race Course for that day’s card.
But after a long and winding road, Rich Strike, in the history books as the second-longest shot ever to win the Derby, is now in a new phase of his life, settling into his stallion career after a late but solid start.
“He was received really well coming into the state,” stallion manager Bill Leak said. “There’s always been a good buzz around this horse. He’s quite the story, and it’s great that he’s going to be continuing that story.”
Rich Strike’s last start came in May 2023 – but that wasn’t the end of the story. Shortly afterward, Eric Reed resigned as his trainer due to differences with owner Rick Dawson over media deals to document their story and image rights. But Reed and Rich Strike’s story wasn’t over yet, either.
Dawson intended for Rich Strike to continue racing with trainer Bill Mott – and Mott was able to breeze Rich Strike four times in the summer of 2024. However, recurring suspensory ligament issues kept Rich Strike from returning to the races. The chestnut officially retired last fall with a record of 14-2-1-3 and earnings of $2,526,809. His biggest victory, of course, came in the 2022 Derby, which he drew into the day before the race as an also-eligible. He and jockey Sonny Leon rallied from 15th at the quarter pole with an inside move for a shocking upset by three-quarters of a length. His winning payout of $163.60 made him the second-longest shot to ever win the Derby, behind only Donerail in 1913. Rich Strike also earned three stakes placings along with the Derby win.
Dawson long stated his desire to stand the horse domestically, and finally struck a stud deal for Rich Strike. The stallion prospect arrived at Rich Miller’s Mountain Springs Farm in Palmyra, Pa., in January, with a syndicate taking ownership including Jamie LaMonica, head of the Kentucky-based Stallion Company bloodstock agency. However, LaMonica then sold a percentage of Rich Strike to a partnership that includes Reed and his wife, Margaret, and Ken Tyson, for whom Reed trains. LaMonica remained a part owner in the new group.
Rich Strike arrived in New York in late March – and at that point, timing was a factor, as breeding sheds open around early-to-mid-February, depending on the farm.
“Him coming late, we missed the early mares, all the open mares, all the early-foaling mares; all we really had were some late-foaling mares,” Leak said.
Ultimately, Rich Strike covered about 20 mares – with all getting in foal. That includes mares Reed and partners shipped up from Kentucky. It is expected that the stallion could get more mares next year, with a full season to work with. His initial stud fee was $6,500.
“He was well received for coming later in the year,” said Rick Burke, owner of Irish Hill Century Farm. “A lot of people called and said if they had known he was coming sooner they’d have bred to him. Just coming late, we were just late to the party.”
Rich Strike is by the Curlin horse Keen Ice, best known for upsetting Triple Crown winner American Pharoah in the Travers Stakes. His dam, Grade 3 winner Gold Strike, earned the Sovereign Award as Canada's champion 3-year-old filly, winning the Woodbine Oaks and finishing third in the Queen’s Plate.
“I’ve seen Keen Ice and [Rich Strike] is not as big as him, which is nice,” Burke said. “He’s a little smaller and not so massive. I’ve foaled out Keen Ice babies, and they’re always giant. I expect Rich Strike’s babies to be a little smaller, more his style.”
Leak also praised the build of the leggy chestnut.
“Great shoulder, really good conformation, straight legs,” Leak listed. “Good bone, great joints – he’s been a sound horse the whole time here.”
Along with his physical attributes, Rich Strike’s racing record and pedigree both boast versatility – which bodes well in the bullish New York marketplace that will soon welcome the new Belmont Park, with dirt, turf, and Tapeta racing surfaces. Rich Strike ran well throughout the Kentucky Derby prep series on Turfway Park’s Tapeta, including a third in the Grade 3 Jeff Ruby. He has a double dose of the extremely versatile Smart Strike in his pedigree, as the leading sire is both his paternal great-grandsire and maternal grandsire.
“I think he’ll do just fine,” Burke said. “I think he’ll find his niche in the market and be just fine.”
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