2025 Eclipse Awards: Swore

In slightly more than three months in 2025, Swore went from a maiden race winner to a multiple stakes winner over hurdles. With that meteoric rise, Swore is a finalist for the Eclipse Award as the nation’s champion steeplechase horse of 2025.

Swore ended his 2024 season with a sixth-place finish in an allowance race at Aqueduct for owner and breeder Stone Farm and trainer Graham Motion. The entirety of his 2025 season was over obstacles under the direction of trainer Keri Brion.

Swore, a 6-year-old in 2025, underwent a breathing operation after joining Brion’s stable in late 2024. Swore was second in his debut over hurdles in a maiden race at 2 1/4 miles on July 17 at Colonial Downs. He closed from seventh of nine to finish 6 3/4 lengths behind Cyber Ninja.

Swore was sharper in his second start, closing from third of eight to win a maiden race at 2 1/4 miles by 2 1/4 lengths on Aug. 21. Swore ran in stakes for the rest of the year and displayed a more prominent style of racing.

The Grade 1 Lonesome Glory Handicap is the top jump race in New York after Labor Day. Despite his lack of experience, Swore was the 4-1 second choice in a field of eight in the $150,000 race at 2 1/2 miles on Sept. 18 at Aqueduct. His chances were helped by a low weight assignment of 144 pounds, compared to top weight of 158 pounds for 8-5 favorite Zarak the Brave.

:: Full list of 2025 Eclipse Awards finalists, including profile stories

Ridden by regular rider Stephen Mulqueen, Swore was at the front throughout. He was challenged by Zarak the Brave midway through the race, was passed by Welshman in the final quarter-mile, and fought back to win by a neck.

“It’s all about momentum with him,” Mulqueen said after the Lonesome Glory. “He jumped brilliant in front, so I wasn’t bothered being there.”

Swore was not as well-regarded in the Grade 1 American Grand National at Far Hills, N.J., on Oct. 18, going off at 18-1 in a field of eight in the $250,000 race at 2 5/8 miles. Swore set the pace to the final circuit before he faded from contention. He was pulled up two obstacles from the finish when beaten.

Swore had one more start in 2025, in the restricted Supreme Hurdle Stakes at 2 3/8 miles at Pine Mountain, Ga., on Nov. 15. Again, Swore proved to be uncatchable on the lead. He was in front by three lengths in the stretch and won by 5 3/4 lengths for his third win in his final four starts of the year.

Swore earned $181,800 for Stone Farm and partner Uplands Flat Racing in 2025, more than half of his career earnings of $341,792.

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