Composed Callaghan Continues Ascent Into Breeders' Cup

Karma has a way of feeling amplified in horse racing and few have felt the swing of its pendulum more intensely in 2017 than 34-year-old Simon Callaghan. A native of Newmarket, England, the son of top English trainer Neville Callaghan and a former assistant to Richard Hannon and Todd Pletcher entered the year full of hope, with the shining beacon of his stable a freshly minted Grade I winner in Abel Tasman (Quality Road).

And just like that, it was extinguished.

The talented filly was removed from his care in early March and placed with Hall of Famer Bob Baffert. Two months later, Callaghan had to watch her win the GI Kentucky Oaks in the first of three straight Grade I tallies to make her the leading contender for year-end honors.

Callaghan did not lose faith.

“Obviously starting off the year by losing Abel Tasman was a really tough thing to take,” he said. “Losing such a good filly who we thought was sitting on a big year was unfortunate, but we subsequently had a great year. You have to take the ups with the downs and realize it's part of racing. We obviously got some nice horses from Kaleem Shah after that and we just had to be patient that the barn would do well. We have won three Grade Is and feel fortunate, especially winning the GI Test at Saratoga, such a prestigious race, with American Gal (Concord Point). We're excited about the rest of the year.”

Perhaps growing up in the industry and learning how quickly it can humble the naive has brought the rising star the needed perspective to deal with such turbulence. Perhaps it is his analytical disposition that has assisted him in maintaining the mindset needed to progress through such. Most likely it is an amalgamation of both that fashioned the canvas over which his 40-strong stable has glossed success.

Not yet at a thousand starts since going out on his own in 2009, Callaghan has 26 graded stakes victories and 11 career Grade Is (7% of his wins through Oct. 21). Furthermore, it took a Triple Crown winner to deny him a victory in his first GI Kentucky Derby attempt when Firing Line (Line of David) finished a length short of American Pharoah (Pioneerof the Nile). Now, after weathering what may have disheartened trainers twice his age and experience, he barrels unfettered into a Breeders' Cup with a realistic chance of taking home as many as three trophies.

Bridlewood Farm and the Coolmore contingent's 'TDN Rising Star' Moonshine Memories (Malibu Moon), a two-time Grade I winner with victories in the Del Mar Debutante and Chandelier S., leads the charge in the GI Juvenile Fillies. A victory would maker her Callaghan's first year-end champion. Reddam Racing's Encumbered (Violence) heads into the GI Juvenile Turf as a major contender on the strength of a course-and-distance win in the Del Mar Juvenile Turf two back, and fellow Reddam runner Bahamian (Freedom Child) will look to break his maiden the hard way in the GI Juvenile. GII Best Pal S. winner Run Away (Run Away and Hide) was being considered for the GI Juvenile, but will instead be kept at one turn and point for the GIII Bob Hope S. at Del Mar Nov. 11.

“So far the prep has gone perfectly,” Callaghan said. “Moonshine Memories is doing really well. She's very special and showed us from the get-go that she was a professional filly, especially winning the Debutante on only two weeks' rest. The thought [of a championship] has crossed our minds, but we're focused on getting her there 100%.

“Last time we wanted to conclusively see if Encumbered was a grass horse or not, which is why he ran [sixth] in the Frontrunner [on the dirt],” he continued. “We knew he loved the Del Mar turf already and I definitely think there's a slight edge knowing we've handled that course. At the same time, we fully respect the Europeans.

Bahamian was a very good second to [FrontRunner runner-up and Juvenile pre-entrant] Solomini (Curlin) in a Del Mar maiden and then we ran him in the [GI] Champagne at Belmont. We really expected a big effort that day, but he missed the break [and finished ninth]. He's a very talented colt.”

A surplus of talent is not news in a barn that seems to exude class from its performance on the track to the hard work of a team topped by assistant Carlos Santamaria. Callaghan, calm and collected, appears fully prepared for whichever way the pendulum decides to swing henceforth.

“It's extremely satisfying for things to be going well,” he said. “I'm happy that we've shown a diversity in the kinds of horses we can win graded stakes with and we have progressed each year. We've shed the turf label, which is difficult coming from Europe, and started winning stakes with 2-year-olds, as well as older horses. We've continued to open new doors.

“From the beginning, I've always wanted to do it the right way,” he concluded. “It takes a while to get the trust of owners and you have to be prepared to run your business for several years not making any money until you start winning those Grade Is. I think it's also very important that you take care of your team and pay them well. We are trying to do everything at 110% and look after the horses with the best possible care. We don't cut any corners and I think that shows. It takes its time, but the hard work pays off.”