For much of his career, both in Europe and the United States, Scorpiancer has been an underachiever. But he did not disappoint in the Grade 1 Lonesome Glory at Belmont Park, rallying from seventh to win the 2 1/2-mile Lonesome Glory by 2 1/2 lengths.
B. Wayne Hughes' Spendthrift Farm took quality over quantity to its extremes on the racetrack in 2016, taking home seven graded stakes wins in just 35 non-partnership starts.
Ken and Sarah Ramsey have made winning the mission in every facet of their Thoroughbred holdings, both in quality and quantity, and it has paid off in national-level recognition on a yearly basis.
Prince Khalid bin Abdullah's Juddmonte Farms has developed into a global superpower over the course of four decades and arguably had North America's most electrifying runners on dirt and turf in 2016.
No rider in history has won more championship races than Mike Smith, and in 2016 the jockey added to his lore when he snagged three Breeders' Cup events, led by the $6 million Classic with Arrogate.
Jockey Jose Ortiz had a whirlwind year in 2016. He led all North American-based jockeys in wins with 351. He won his first Breeders' Cup race, aboard Oscar Performance. And, she said, “Yes!”
Javier Castellano is bidding for a fourth consecutive Eclipse Award for outstanding jockey after leading all North American-based riders in both mount earnings and graded stakes wins in 2016.
Kenny Troutt's WinStar Farm has accomplished more in the past 16 years than operations several times older achieve over the span of their existence. Last year was one of the best yet for the Versailles, Ky., farm, highlighted by a pair of Breeders' Cup winners and the most wins and earnings by a North American breeder.
Sheikh Mohammed al-Maktoum has a presence in nearly every corner of the global Thoroughbred industry, and the North American wing of his Darley breeding operation once again proved to be among the best on the continent in 2016.
The past four years have produced breakthrough after breakthrough for the Cleary family's Clearsky Farms, all from a broodmare band much smaller than most of its contemporaries.
