Big Saratoga Wins Help Winston C to Steeplechase Title
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Photo: Coglianese Photos/Chelsea Durand
Winston C en route to victory in the New York Turf Writers Cup at Saratoga Race Course
Back-to-back scores at the biggest meet of the summer put Hudson River Farms' Winston C over the last hurdle Jan. 23, earning the Eclipse Award for top Steeplechaser of the year.
The Irish-bred gelding, a son of Rip Van Winkle—Pitrizza, by Machiavellian, made the first 17 starts of his career in Europe before making his way this year to the U.S. and the barn of Hall of Fame trainer Jonathan Sheppard for the 2019 jump season. The prize marks the 12th time a horse trained by Sheppard has earned the Eclipse Award in the steeplechase division.
Winston C made four starts in England early in the year that included a maiden win over fences and a race on Grand National weekend at Aintree for trainer Harry Fry. In the U.S. he was a close-up third in a stakes at Percy Warner before showing an affinity for the course at Saratoga Race Course.
A sharp win in the July 25 A.P. Smithwick Memorial Steeplechase Stakes (NSA-1) was followed by an even more impressive 8 3/4-length score Aug. 22 in the New York Turf Writers Handicap (NSA-1).
(L-R): Trainer Jonathan Sheppard, New York Turf Writers president David Grening, owner Ed Slyer, and Jockey Thomas Garner after Winston C’s victory in the Aug. 22 New York Turf Writers Cup at Saratoga Race Course
"I'm not going to say I expected that flat run from him, but I hoped for it. He's a little quicker than the average European steeplechase type," Sheppard told the National Steeplechase Association after Winston C's initial victory at the Spa.
Despite a fourth-place finish in the Lonesome Glory Handicap (NSA-1) at Belmont Park in September, the fruits of summer were enough to sustain his championship laurels at season's end.