Country House Victory Gave McFadden Ride of his Life

With this year's Kentucky Derby Presented by Woodford Reserve (G1) slated for Sept. 5, Country House—last year's winner following the historic disqualification of Maximum Security—will set the mark for the longest-reigning Derby winner.

"He deserves it," said co-owner Guinness McFadden, the nephew of breeder J. V. "Jerry" Shields Jr. The colt, since retired after battling laminitis, was raced by Shields' widow, Maury, and LNJ Foxwoods.

Country House, trained by Hall of Famer Bill Mott but with only a maiden win to his credit, was an outsider going into the Derby, but the team had faith.

"Bill was really happy how both horses were doing (Mott also trained third choice Tacitus). They had breezed together (the Sunday before the Derby), and Bill was confident that they were doing well," McFadden said.

Once McFadden got to Churchill Downs, however, he was shocked Country House was a 65-1 shot.

"Considering how he was doing, I was surprised at that," he said. "I didn't bet anything. I had bet him in the future wager, but I only got 17-1 because he had just run second in the (Feb. 16) Risen Star (G2). My uncle had always gotten win tickets for the groom and the jockey, so I had two $25 win/place/show tickets that I lost. Like a knucklehead, I had my phone in the same pocket with my tickets, and when I pulled my phone out, I lost them."

The day went by quickly for McFadden, but he certainly remembers the race.

"When they came past us the first time, he broke so much more sharply than he had in the past that I was actually standing next to (agent) Alex (Solis II), and I said, 'I hope he's not too close to the pace.' Once he hit the top of the stretch and he was there, I thought we were going to win. He was always a horse that could close."

Although Country House finished second, 1 3/4 lengths behind Maximum Security, McFadden was happy. But he was then in for the ride of his life: a 23-minute objection/inquiry.

"I couldn't see what had happened from where we were," he said. "It wasn't until I got down and heard (jockey) Flavien (Prat) talking about it—I didn't really know what had happened. Once I saw the replay, I thought they were going to take (Maximum Security) down."

REPLAY: Country House Wins Kentucky Derby 144

The chaotic score was Country House's last start, but the son of Lookin At Lucky  has recovered from laminitis and is at McFadden's Blackwood Stables in Kentucky.

"He's doing as well as we could expect. He's having a good time just being a horse," the co-owner said.

McFadden is still surprised he won the Derby.

"Somebody has to win the race, but you never think it is going to be you. I was just shocked that it was us," he said.