KY Derby Winner Rich Strike To Be Trained by Mott

(Rich Strike / Photos by Holly M. Smith)

(Trainer Bill Mott at Churchill Downs / Photos by Holly M. Smith)

Rich Strike, who hit it rich in the 2022 Kentucky Derby and made a name for both himself and his Kentucky-based connections, has found a new home. According to multiple reports, the 4-year-old colt will now be moved to the barn of Hall of Fame trainer Bill Mott.

Owner Richard Dawson was quoted this morning in a story at HorseRacingNation.com:

“Bill & I have had a number of conversations over the last couple weeks and I feel very confident Richie will be in great care & oversight,” Dawson is quoted as staying in announcing the decision. “I can’t thank Bill enough for accepting the task of training Richie to his full potential.”

Mott will replace former trainer, Eric Reed, who saddled the colt in the 2022 Kentucky Derby. Reed voluntarily resigned as the horse’s trainer on May 11, saying that he had a disagreement with Dawson over a possible movie deal. It was previously announced on May 4 that Omaha Productions, a media company owned in part by former NFL quarterback Peyton Manning, had agreed to produce a documentary and film on the horse’s amazing victory in the Kentucky Derby at odds of 80-to-1.

Rich Strike, along with eight other horses owned by Dawson, were moved from Reed’s home track at the Mercury Equine Center in Lexington to Blackwood Stables in Versailles, KY.

Since his startling victory in the Kentucky Derby, Rich Strike is 0-for-6, and has made only one start this year — finishing 5th in the G2 Alysheba Stakes at Churchill Downs on May 5. The colt is now turned out for about 30 days of rest.

“Richie will have another checkup in a week or so & then again in another couple weeks. Once his condition is as perfect as can be expected & ready for a training schedule he will move to Bill’s capable management at a location to be determined,” Dawson is quoted as saying in the story.