Winston C, campaigned by Edward Swyer's Hudson River Farms and trained by Hall of Famer Jonathan Sheppard, began the year in the maiden ranks, but ended it an Eclipse champion thanks to a pair of Grade 1 tallies at Saratoga. The gelding announced his arrival on the big stage with a widening 3 1/2-length victory in the July 25 G1 A.P. Smithwick Memorial Steeplechase S. at Saratoga in July. A month later, he romped to an 8 3/4-length victory in the G1 New York Turf Writers Cup H. Winston C concluded the season with a troubled fourth-place effort in the G1 Lonesome Glory S. at Belmont Park.
Swyer acquired Winston C last spring after he was shopped to the Sheppard team by jockey Thomas Garner and his bloodstock partner, Noel Fehily, a now-retired jockey who spotted the 5-year-old when riding him to a maiden victory at Wincanton in January.
Accepting the Award…
“Our Hall of Fame trainer Jonathan Sheppard made the bold and instinctive decision to enter Winston in the Grade 1 Smithwick after a novice third-place finish. Tom Garner, Winston's rider, spent many full days schooling Winston to adjust his balance from UK hurdles to U.S. steeplechase hurdles. Thank you, Tom for working so intensely, often full days. And thank you for the brilliant ride in the Smithwick. Thank you to Carrie Woerner. It's been a joy working with you and your team. And congratulations to the connections of Scorpiancer and Brain Power. By sharing the nomination with them, it puts Winston C in a rare class of exceptional jumpers. Thank you to everyone here tonight sharing this moment.” –Edward Swyer, owner of Hudson River Farms and Winston C.
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