Horse Racing Circuit’s Champion Millionaire Equine Walks Away From Future Competition

An appealing story began on the lovely grounds of Tall Oaks Farm with the birth of a thoroughbred in 2014. Born in Ontario, Canada, this horse prodigy was descended from the prestigious lineage of the English Channel and In Return, a descendant of the legendary Horse Chestnut. As a lively 2-year-old, he started his racing career in 2016 with trainer Daniel Vella. He made his racing debut at the Woodbine racecourse where he finished gallantly third in a special weight event. For him, it was just the beginning of an epic tale of victories.

Marking his stakes dominance with each passing season, he became a seasoned champion across the United States as well as?the heart of Canada. In a heartwarming turn of events?the 9-year-old gelding?finds a new chapter in his life.

Horse riding icon embarks on retirement journey

Channel Maker graciously ended his famed career with an amazing record of ten victories, six seconds, five thirds, and an incredible $3,915,985 in earnings over 56 starts. As the memories of his racing career faded, Wachtel Stable’s Adam Wachtel initiated the idea that Channel Maker would retire to Old Friends, the haven of the horse’s owner and a retirement space in Georgetown. An update came from the retirement home posted by @BloodHorse on Twitter captioned, “Champion Turf Male Channel Maker Arrives at Old Friends.”

https://x.com/BloodHorse/status/1724786471541084634?s=20

When he returned to the track this year, he won the Bowling Green Stakes (G2T) at Saratoga in his fifth race of the year, adding still another honor to his resume. On October 13, he placed eleventh in the Sycamore Stakes (G3T) at Keeneland, marking the apex of his racing career. After this race, Channel Maker ended an incredible chapter in his racing history by retiring with grace the next day. Co-owner Adam Wachtel told TDN, ?I’ve never had a horse that’s run at the highest level against the toughest competition from 2 through 9.??

The story of Channel Maker, from the verdant fields of his infancy to the tranquil retirement community, is a monument to the unwavering dedication of a great champion.

Some of his incredible feats include a record six Breeders’ Cup races, placing third in the Turf in 2020 to mark his best performance to date. He was crowned the 2017 Canadian Champion 3-Year-Old after winning the Breeders’ Stakes on the turf, further taking fourth place in the Queen’s Plate. In addition, Channel Maker won the coveted 2020 Eclipse Award for Best Male Turf Horse.

Channel Maker’s career milestones

Beginning his career at Gulfstream Park, Channel Maker finished seventh in the Palm Beach Stakes (G3T) during his three-year-old season. The moment he switched to Bill Mott’s training skills was pivotal. Channel Maker’s most notable accomplishment in 2017 under Mott’s tutelage was winning the Breeders’ Stakes at Woodbine, which earned him the prized Sovereign Award as the top 3-year-old colt. As Channel Maker entered his fourth season in 2018, Joey Gee Thoroughbreds, Wachtel Stable, and Gary Barber became new owners.

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phs was a first-ever victory at Belmont Park’s Joe Hirsch Turf Classic Stakes (G1T). Channel Maker’s continued excellence was evident in the years that followed, as he won important races and was recognized with a coveted Eclipse Award in 2020 for being the best turf male. He augmented his remarkable career in 2022, at the age of eight, winning the Grand Couturier Stakes at Belmont and the Elkhorn Stakes (G2T) at Keeneland.

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