Irish Hill & Dutchess Views Stallions

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Born: 2019

Color: Chestnut

Height: 

Rich Strike, a striking chestnut stallion with a white blaze and two white socks on his hind legs, etched his name into racing history as the improbable victor of the 2022 Kentucky Derby. Foaled on April 25, 2019, at the renowned Calumet Farm in Kentucky, Rich Strike’s journey from a $30,000 claimer to a Grade I champion showcases his extraordinary talent, resilience, and heart—qualities that make him a standout addition to the Irish Hill Century Farm stallion roster.

Pedigree

Rich Strike hails from a pedigree rich with accomplishment. Sired by Keen Ice, a Grade I winner best known for defeating Triple Crown champion American Pharoah in the 2015 Travers Stakes, Rich Strike inherited stamina and late-closing speed. His dam, Gold Strike (by Smart Strike), was the 2005 Canadian Champion Three-Year-Old Filly, bringing a blend of class and toughness to his lineage. This combination of Keen Ice’s tenacity and Gold Strike’s proven ability has produced a stallion with a unique mix of power and pedigree depth, ideal for passing on to the next generation.

Racing Career

Rich Strike’s racing career is a testament to the unpredictability and thrill of Thoroughbred racing. Claimed for $30,000 by owner Rick Dawson and trainer Eric Reed after a dominant 17 ¼-length maiden win at Churchill Downs in September 2021, Rich Strike began his ascent under modest expectations. His early races showed promise, including a third-place finish in the Jeff Ruby Steaks (G3) in April 2022, but it was his improbable entry into the Kentucky Derby that changed everything.

On May 7, 2022, Rich Strike wasn’t even in the original Derby field. A last-minute scratch of Ethereal Road allowed him to draw in from the also-eligible list, with just 30 seconds to spare before the deadline. Starting from the far outside post at 80-1 odds—the second-longest shot in Derby history—he stunned the racing world. Jockey Sonny Leon expertly guided Rich Strike from the back of the pack, weaving through traffic and surging down the rail in the final strides to overtake favorites Epicenter and Zandon by three-quarters of a length. His victory, clocked at 2:02.61, delivered a $163.60 payout on a $2 win bet and earned $1.86 million, marking one of the greatest upsets in the race’s 148-year history.

Following his Derby triumph, Rich Strike bypassed the Preakness Stakes to focus on the Belmont Stakes (G1) on June 11, 2022, finishing sixth behind winner Mo Donegal. Later that year, he competed in the Travers Stakes (G1), placing fourth in a strong field that included Epicenter and Cyberknife, and the Breeders’ Cup Classic (G1), where he finished fourth behind the dominant Flightline. His final start of 2022 came in the Clark Stakes (G1) at Churchill Downs, where he took sixth. In 2023, nagging injuries limited him to one start—a fifth-place finish in the Alysheba Stakes (G2)—before his retirement was announced in November 2023.

Rich Strike concluded his career with a record of 2 wins, 1 second, and 3 thirds in 14 starts, amassing $2,526,809 in earnings. His Derby win remains the pinnacle, a defining moment that showcased his ability to rise to the occasion against elite competition.

2025 - TBD

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