GOLDEN PAL

2022 FLORIDA-BRED CHAMPION MALE TURF HORSE

After another stellar season, Golden Pal added to his treasure chest of Florida-bred championship crowns. In addition to his 2022 title, he was previously tabbed as the 2020 Florida-bred champion 2-year-old colt and 2021 Florida-bred champion 3-year-old colt, male sprinter and male turf horse.

And as the only Florida-bred to date to win two Breeders’ Cup championship races, Golden Pal will go into the Florida Thoroughbred industry history books as one of the most accomplished and honored Florida-breds.

Golden Pal began the 2022 season the same way he had finished the previous year with a victory. On April 9 at Keeneland, Golden Pal was much the best by four-and-three-quarter lengths in the Shakertown (G2). Johnny Unleashed was second with Gear Jockey third. Winning time for the five-and-a-half furlong turf sprint was 1:02.21.

After an uncharacteristic poor showing in the Grade 1 Kings Stand on June 14 at Ascot, Golden Pal once again returned to form back in his home country. He showed his true champion’s heart in the Grade 3 Troy Stakes on Aug. 5 at Sara toga. Golden Pal prevailed by a head over True Valour (Ire) with Thin White Duke third. Winning time for the five-and-a-half furlongs on the turf was a swift 1:00.2.

Back at Keeneland on Oct. 8, Golden Pal would tally his second consecutive Grade 2 Woodford Stakes victory. Wesley Ward’s trainee led gate to wire, winning by a length-and-a-half ahead of Oceanic with Artemus Citylimits third. Golden Pal stopped the clock in 1:01.39 for the five-and-a-half furlongs turf test, setting a stakes record.

In a twist of bad luck, Golden Pal’s quest for a third Breeders’ Cup victory was dashed when he broke badly in the Turf Sprint (G1) on Nov. 5 at Keeneland. He made a brief rally, but the deficit was too much to make up. Golden Pal finished 10th to Cara vel and as had been previously announced, he was retired to Coolmore America’s Ashford Stud in Versailles, Kentucky.

On the season, Golden Pal earned $526,075 on three graded stakes wins in five starts. He retired with career earnings of $1,825,131 on eight wins, including seven graded, and two seconds in 13 lifetime starts. Most notably, Golden Pal captured the 2021 Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint (G1) and the 2020 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint (G2).

A 2018 bay colt by Uncle Mo out of Lady Shipman, by Midshipman, Golden Pal was bred by Randall E. Lowe. He was foaled and received his sales yearling prepping at Ryan Barbazon’s Ocala-based Barbazon Racing and Bloodstock. Consigned by Taylor Made Sales Agency to the 2019 Keeneland September yearling sale, Golden Pal was an RNA at $325,000. Lowe then brokered a private sale with Coolmore, giving them 60 days to return the colt. When Coolmore did return Golden Pal, Lowe sent him back to Barbazon for his early training. Lowe raced Golden Pal the first half of 2020 before selling him privately to Mrs. John Magnier, Michael B. Tabor, Derrick Smith and Westerberg.

GOLDEN PAL

2018 bay colt by Uncle Mo – Lady Shipman, by Midshipman

Breeder: Randall E. Lowe

Owners: Mrs. John Magnier, Michael B. Tabor, Derrick Smith & Westerberg

Trainer: Wesley A. Ward

2022 Race Record/Earnings

5-3-0-0/$526,075

2022 Black-Type Stakes Record

1st – Woodford Stakes (G2T)

1st – Shakertown Stakes (G2T)

1st – Troy Stakes (G3T)