A Breakthrough Eclipse for Top Breeder Strawbridge

As the breeder of more than 100 graded/group stakes winners since 1991, how has George Strawbridge Jr. only now been recognized with his first Eclipse Award for Outstanding Breeder?

Strawbridge certainly has had the depth of quality over the years required to be considered for top breeder honors, but often it takes a superstar in the mix to close the deal. He got that standout in 2019 with five-time grade 1 winner Bricks and Mortar, who closed a Horse of the Year season undefeated in six starts with earnings of $6,723,650.

Bricks and Mortar is a 6-year-old son of Giant's Causeway out of the Ocean Crest group/graded-placed stakes winner Beyond the Waves, whom Strawbridge co-bred with Ward Stiff and raced primarily in Europe in the colors of his Augustin Stable. Beyond the Waves won or placed seven times out of nine starts at 3, winning the 1 1/2-mile Prix des Tourelles at Chantilly and finishing second in the Prix du Royallieu Hotel du Golf Barriere (G2) at Longchamp. The mare was sent to the U.S. at 5 and placed in the Bewitch Stakes (G3T) at Keeneland. 

Beyond the Waves proved to be a valuable addition to Strawbridge's broodmare band. Besides Bricks and Mortar, she has produced grade 3 winner Emerald Beech (by Maria's Mon), multiple stakes winner Beyond Smart (by Smart Strike), graded-placed winner Sir Ector (by Dynaformer), and stakes-placed winner Water View (by Petionville).

As might be expected from the breeder of 275 black-type winners who raced another 52 stakes winners as an owner since 1991, Strawbridge is no stranger to the Eclipse Award stage. He owned Eclipse Award winners Forever Together (2008 turf female) and Informed Decision (2009 female sprinter) and owns three championship steeplechase awards for Chilean-bred Pompeyo (2001) and Café Prince (1977-78). 

Bricks and Mortar, who ended 2019 by winning the Longines Breeders' Cup Turf (G1T), is the second Breeders' Cup World Championships victor bred by Strawbridge. He also bred and raced 1994 Breeders' Cup Turf winner Tikkanen.

Strawbridge was represented as the breeder of 20 North American runners in 2019 that won 28 races and placed in 28 others. They collectively earned $7,524,340, making Strawbridge the fourth-leading breeder of the year by earnings. The other top North American performers he bred include three-time stakes winner Lift Up, who won the Maple Leaf Stakes (G3), and Lake Placid Stakes (G2T) winner Varenka.

Strawbridge, 82, owns a 700-plus-acre farm in Pennsylvania and is a former board member of the Campbell Soup Company founded by his grandfather, Dr. John Dorrance. Strawbridge owns nearly 3% of the company.