The 2024 horse racing season is underway on every continent. Fans love to see promising horses before big races like the Dubai Cup, the Cheltenham Festival, and the Kentucky Derby. These horses are the future of the track and they can shock the field with a big performance. At Wolverhampton Racecourse, 7-year-old horse Palace Boy shocked everyone by pulling off a major feat in his debut 2024 race.
He finished the 2023 season on a high note by winning at the same track after starting in the middle of the pack. In the recent race as well, the horse pulled off a stunning comeback from the back of the grid, and the footage of it quickly became popular online.
Starting the 2024 horse racing campaign in style
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There were 12 horses that prepared for Race 2 at Wolverhampton Racecourse today. The event was open to horses older than 4 years old and offered a prize of £4,972 (about $6,300). In a row, Educator, Aqwaam, Speedo Boy, Moliwood, and Enthrallment formed the 1-5 gates of the grid. The 6-10 gates were occupied by Lexington Knight, Chase the Dollar, Palace Boy, Animato, and Haaland. Legacy Power and Artisan Dancer were seen at gates 11 and 12. In the Wolverhampton’s freezing, bright track, the horses were prepared to race.
Gamble landed! Former Supreme runner Palace Boy comes from miles back to win at @WolvesRaces for @GeorgeRooke6 and Ralph Smith… pic.twitter.com/4gW1Nw2K5c
— At The Races (@AtTheRaces) January 19, 2024
As soon as the gates were opened, Animato surged ahead of the pack and maintained his lead until the first furlong. As the lead went to Haaland after one furlong, it encountered opposition from those directly behind it- Lexington Knight and Chase the Dollar. According to the footage from At The Races on X, the race’s midfield looked very strong; however, all that changed when Palace Boy went right on the racetrack around the final bend. Palace Boy increased its speed in the final stretch of the race, allowing it to easily pass the leader. The horse then held on to the lead and eventually won the race, with Artisan Dancer and Moliwood finishing second and third, respectively.
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Career of a stellar equine
Palace Boy has been in horse racing since September 2019, according to details provided by Racing Post. However, until now, the horse has gone through several riders and trainers, but it has always had great performances in the races. Bauyrzhan Murzabayev rode the horse to its first victory on June 21, 2020, at Dusseldorf. Following that, Fergal O’Brien replaced Carvalho as Palace Boy’s trainer.
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The horse came to Chepstow on October 26, 2022, and after a 857-day hiatus, won the race with dominating ease. Palace Boy stayed a long time with O’Brien but was then handed over to Ralph J. Smith, who took over as the trainer of Palace Boy in December 2023. Since then, the horse has been riding two consecutive victories for Smith and jockey George Rooke. Despite the fact that the horse is seven years old, Palace Boy is a gelding that is determined to seize every chance that comes in its way.
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