Despite Extended Suspension, Equestrian Trainer With $346,332,212 in Purse Winnings Gets Surprising Victory in Grade 3 Race

Equestrian sports are renowned for their intense, high-stakes action and thrilling races. However, these sports are not immune to controversies that occasionally cast a shadow over them. While these controversies might taint the perception of some, they fail to diminish the excitement and fervor that characterize the races themselves.

Equestrian trainer Bob Baffert is currently facing an extended suspension. However, the legendary trainer was unfazed by the development and did what he always does: win. Rookie racehorse Prince of Monaco registered a crushing victory for his trainer on Sunday. In fact, the promising rookie also beat its own stablemate.

Equestrian racehorse proves its mettle

Prince of Monaco, a two-year-old racehorse jointly owned by several individuals, made its presence known in the racing scene. It was acquired for a significant sum of $950,000. In contrast, Muth, another horse under Baffert’s training, was secured for an impressive $2 million. Numerous racing experts and bookmakers had anticipated a resounding victory for Muth in the Grade 3 racing event. Remarkably, this marked the second race for both these racehorses, and they had both clinched victories in their debut performances. However, on 13th August 2023, Prince of Monaco got the chance to go head-to-head with its adoptive sibling. 

Prince of Monaco let a couple of other horses take the lead initially. Many people were now certain that their prediction would come true. However, Prince of Monaco delivered a devastating blow to all their hopes. Blazing past from behind, the equestrian racehorse charged like liquid electricity. It didn’t just take the lead; it won by a stomping margin of 4 ½ lengths. Muth, the favorite of the race, came in second. Coincidentally, the racing event was named the Best Pal Stakes. Bob Baffert earned unlimited praise from all corners as both of his horses secured the top two positions. This clearly indicated that no suspension can devalue him as long as he is active.

The divide created by Bob Baffert’s suspension

Equestrian jockey Flavian Prat rode the champion racehorse Prince of Monaco for Baffert. Prat is a seven-time champion at the Del Mar racetrack and a close associate of Baffert. Apparently, Baffert himself is the unrivaled King of the Del Mar racetrack. He holds the record for the highest number of victories as a trainer in the Del Mar Futurity (G1) event, having won it 17 times. Prat mentioned that he flew down to the racetrack when Baffert asked him to. Many riders and trainers, like Prat, hold great respect for Baffert, who was recently suspended by Churchill Downs Inc. (CDI).

ALSO READ – A 2300-Mile Equestrian Journey Ends With an Elusive Win as $602,769 Worth Horse Gets a Meaningful Victory for His Owner

The equestrian governing body issued a suspension after one of Baffert’s horses, Medina Spirit, tested positive for a banned substance in a doping test. Baffert argued that the substance was not injected into the horse but was present in an ointment applied externally. However, CDI suspended Baffert from racing at all CDI-owned tracks until the end of 2024. This created a significant stir in the equestrian community as people took sides and became divided. While one group said that CDI’s safety standards are a big question mark on their own, another group supported Baffert’s suspension.

WATCH STORY – Mastering Equestrian Anxiety: Five Powerful Mindset Techniques to Overcome Fear in Horse Riding