Former Casse Assistant Begg Begins Training Career

Jamie Begg, a former assistant to trainer Mark Casse who Casse praised for his on-track preparation of Sir Winston before a 2019 victory in the Belmont Stakes (G1), will send out the first starter of his newly-launched training career Dec. 18 at Turfway Park.

Begg, 33, a third-generation horseman, starts Weekend Fun in Friday's fifth race, a $38,000 allowance optional claimer. The More Than Ready  filly is among a handful of horses the young trainer currently has stabled at The Thoroughbred Center in Lexington, a group that also includes 2018 Dixiana Bourbon Stakes (G3T) winner Current. Begg intends to add more horses via claims and when 2-year-olds arrive into his barn next year.

Born in Canada, Begg has been based in New York for approximately the past five years, overseeing Casse's string there after previously working for Roger Attfield and Casse in Canada and Florida, respectively. He felt that Kentucky, and specifically Lexington, seemed the best location to begin training on his own, calling it the epicenter of racing in the country, among other considerations.

"I felt like I had a bit of support coming down to Kentucky and coming down in the winter," Begg said. "At Turfway, a few guys go south, so it gets a little easier. It just seemed like the right move."

Weekend Fun, a 3-year-old, was purchased by Begg's father, Jeffrey Begg, at the November Breeding Stock Sale for $75,000 from the Denali Stud consignment. Plans eventually call for her to become a broodmare, but for now, she races for the Begg family's Windways Farm.

"We thought we'd keep going along with her and see if she likes the Tapeta," Jamie Begg said.

The filly has won two of her last three starts at Remington Park, winning sprints on turf and dirt. Friday night's race is her first start on Turfway's synthetic Tapeta surface.

She faces her stiffest test, racing in a second-level contest and against a full field going 6 1/2 furlongs. Joe Rocco Jr. will ride her.

Jeffrey Begg bred Victor Cooley, winner of The Queen's Plate in 1996, and the gelding raced for Windways Farm. Windways Farm also bred El Brujo, who captured the Pat O'Brien Stakes (G1) in 2010 for owner Arnold Zetcher and trainer Bob Baffert.

Windways Farm previously campaigned him in Canada with trainer Malcolm Pierce, who also conditioned Victor Cooley for a portion of his career.

Pointing to Jamie Begg's background, Hall of Famer Casse considers him well versed in many horse endeavors, not just racing.

"I thought he did a wonderful job for us," the trainer said. "He's a hard-working, young, knowledgeable guy that should enjoy a good career."