Code of Honor En Route to McGaughey After Freshening

Dual grade 1 winner Code of Honor is headed back to Hall of Fame trainer Shug McGaughey after a freshening at Margaux Farm, the farm's general manager, Richard Budge, said Feb 5.

W.S. Farish's homebred son of Noble Mission  got the green light to resume training after a general wellness check from Dr. Larry Bramlage following a layup at Jim and Susan Hill's operation near Lexington. The 4-year-old colt boarded a Sallee Horse Van Wednesday afternoon bound for McGaughey's winter base at Payson Park near Indiantown, Fla.

"He did really well when he was here," Budge said. "He was happy in turnout. I think he really thrived and put on some good weight. He should be ready for a nice 2020 campaign."

The winner of last year's Xpressbet Fountain of Youth Stakes (G2) in his second start of 2019 off a fourth in the Mucho Macho Man Stakes, Code of Honor was third in the Xpressbet Florida Derby (G1) and second in the Kentucky Derby Presented by Woodford Reserve (G1). He then strung together victories in the Dwyer Stakes (G3), Runhappy Travers Stakes (G1), and Jockey Club Gold Cup Stakes (G1) before concluding his 3-year-old campaign with a seventh in the Longines Breeders' Cup Classic (G1), after which he was sent to Margaux.

"He arrived and Dr. Bramlage checked him out and said he just needed a little freshener," Budge said. "He had a long year last year, and he's actually changed a lot since he's been here. He's matured a little bit, grown a little bit."

Regular exercise on an Aqua Equine Treadmill was part of Code of Honor's routine at Margaux.

"Since he started the 'Aqua Tread,' he's strengthened his topline as well," Budge said. "I'm super happy with where he is now. He's feeling good. It's great for the industry and fans to see these horses run on at 4 and, preferably, at 5. It's tough when they retire at 3. You really don't know how good they could have been."

Budge said his team was happy to have the feel-good chestnut in their care for a few months.  

"We've got a great team here at Margaux, and Jim Hill has really updated the farm and invested a lot," Budge said. "We want to become one of the premier layup and training facilities in Kentucky. We're very appreciative of all our clients who have the confidence to send a horse to us, and we strive to take good care of them."

Plans have not yet been announced for Code of Honor's 2020 campaign.