The equestrian centers in America welcomed the New Year with a flourish deserving of the sport’s stature. The frame of the victory shot captured not just the jockeys but also their beloved equine partners. When renowned jockey Vicente Del Cid clinched the trophy at Delta Downs for the RoseWater Stakes, his horse Tom Amoss was in the background of the framed moment.

Now, the global horse racing authority has panned the camera on another animal athlete whose legacy in the sport defies time. In a wild jubilatory post, they put the horse in the limelight and attracted the public’s attention to this magnificent creature.

World Horse Racing celebrates the unsung hero

World Horse Racing used the X platform to share a heartwarming post that has cut through the jittery chills of the year’s last day. The post contained a video of Animal Kingdom trotting gracefully in a snow-clad enclosed area.

The retired 2013 Dubai World Cup winner is still the recipient of just as many pampers as his racing days. World Horse Racing captioned the X post, writing, “ANIMAL KINGDOM celebrates the dawning of his 16th birthday at sunrise in the snow”.

While circling the unmarked stable, Animal Kingdom had a black apron on his back to keep him warm. This way, he accepted the season’s greetings while his loyal fans reflected on the Derby-winning horse’s glamorous career between 2010 and 2013.

Trained by H. Graham Motion, this Kentucky-bred horse racing champion’s tenure is full of many accolades. As a valued member of Team Valor International, Darley Stable, Arrowfield Stud Ltd., he had raced at Ascot-GB, Arlington Park, Churchill Downs, Belmont Park, Gulfstream Park, Keeneland, and many more prestigious race courses.

Animal Kingdom had won honors at Gulfstream Park, Keeneland, Churchill Downs, Meydan-UAE, and Turfway Park. While the retired Leroidesanimaux-sire was definitely the center of attention on the last day of 2023, the horse racing fans did not forget about the recent champions.

Horse racing’s glorious year in review

Christina Blacker, host and analyst for the Fan Duel TV, shared an edited TikTok video on her X page. She captioned the video, “Happy New Year!! And happy birthday to the horses that make it all possible!”.

This echoed the sentiments evoked in the collaged shots of the video that showed highlights of the relationship between horse and rider in the sport. The fans relived each of the iconic moments from the most recent history of the sport.

Read More: Horse Racing’s Exciting Month Showcases Standout Winners, Take a Look at the Champions

Every year, thousands of horses exit their prime and retire from equestrian pursuits. However, their legacy lives long beyond their horse racing days. This heartwarming fact has come forth in the fans’ exhilarated reactions to Animal Kingdom’s latest update.

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