The winner of the 142nd Kentucky Derby, which took place yesterday, has connections to Marion County. Nyquist was broken and trained in Ocala by Nial Brennan, certainly a proud moment for the city. The three-year-old colt won the $2 million purse race by 1 1/4 lengths in 2:01:31 minutes.
And that is not Ocala’s only claim to fame in the Derby. The second place horse, Exaggerator, was broken at Mayberry Farm in Ocala and Gun Runner, the third place horse, was also broken by Brennan. Nyquist’s first-place win made him the first undefeated Derby winner with eight straight victories since Majestic Prince in 1969.
Marion County’s ties to this year’s Derby horses run deep. The fifth place horse, Suddenbreakingnews, was also broken in Marion County by Barry and Shari Eisaman at Eisaman Equine. Destin, the sixth place horse, was broken in Marion County, as well, at Bridlewood Farm. The seventh place horse, Bordy’s Cause, was broken at Ocala Abracadabra Farm. Mor Spirit, the tenth place horse, was also broken in Ocala, as was My Man Sam, the eleventh place horse, Outwork from Crupi’s New Castle Farm in Ocala, the fourteenth place horse, Oscar Nominated, the 17th place horse, and Eddie Woods, the 19th place horse.
It is no secret that Ocala is premiere horse country with some of the best horse farms and training stables in the nation. And if owning a magnificent horse property interests you, check out Savvy’s horse farms for sale.
And for more information on the Kentucky Derby and its Marion County connections, check out he article at ocala.com.
