Rich Strike withdrawn from sale, to stay in light training

Kentucky Derby winner Rich Strike will be withdrawn from Friday's Keeneland November horses of racing age sale, with additional details of his future plans to be determined.

“After much consideration, I have revised my plan for Rich Strike,” owner Rick Dawson, who on Nov. 9 had announced the colt’s retirement and entry into the sale, posted in a release on his social media.

“At this time, Rich Strike will continue his stay and light exercise at Margaux Farm… I will make further announcements at such time it is deemed to be appropriate.”

Rich Strike last raced when finishing fifth in the Grade 2 Alysheba on May 5 at Churchill Downs, his first start in more than five months. The following week, Eric Reed resigned as the colt’s trainer due to differences with Dawson over media deals to document their story and image rights. The 4-year-old was subsequently moved to Margaux Farm in Midway, Ky., where he had been in light training this summer and fall. As recently as Nov. 2, Dawson had said the colt would soon be joining new trainer Bill Mott at his winter base in Florida, before revising those plans a week later due to “nagging injuries.”

Rich Strike, who was claimed by Dawson and Reed out of a September 2021 maiden victory at Churchill Downs, drew into the Kentucky Derby as an also-eligible, and rallied from 15th at the quarter pole with an inside move for a massive upset. His winning payout of $163.60 made him the second-longest shot to ever win the Derby, behind only Donerail in 1913.

Rich Strike holds a career mark of 14-2-1-3, with three additional stakes placings, and has earned $2,526,809.

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