Olympic equestrian Phillip Dutton joins West Point Thoroughbreds

Equestrian Phillip Dutton, a two-time Olympic gold medalist, has joined West Point Thoroughbreds, which co-owns Grade 1 winner Ring Weekend. Ring Weekend makes his return to competition in the Grade 2 Dixie Stakes on the Preakness undercard Saturday at Pimlico.

Dutton, based out of West Grove, Pa., competes in eventing, which consists of tests in dressage, cross-country, and stadium jumping. It is often compared to an equestrian triathlon. He is a proponent of off-the-track Thoroughbreds, and his competition mounts include Icabad Crane, who finished third in the 2008 Preakness Stakes. That gelding was trained by Graham Motion, who conditions Ring Weekend.

“Phillip and his wife, Evie, are close friends with Graham and Anita Motion,” West Point Thoroughbreds president Terry Finley said. “At the [aftercare showcase] Thoroughbred Makeover this past fall, Graham mentioned to my daughter Erin that Phillip really likes racing and would love to be involved with a horse like Ring Weekend. We made it happen. Phillip has campaigned several Thoroughbreds at the highest levels of the sport and shares our commitment to providing retired racehorses with second careers.”

The millionaire Ring Weekend is making his first start since winning the Grade 1 Frank E. Kilroe Mile in March 2015.