Wesley Ward

A Successful Hootenanny at Ward Ranch

Wesley Ward is busy gearing up for the upcoming race meet at Keeneland, but in recent years the seven-time leading trainer at the historic track keeps himself further occupied in the springtime with his side gig as a stallion owner and manager. GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf winner Hootenanny resides at Ward Ranch just across from the Keeneland grounds. The son of Quality Road was Ward's first Breeders' Cup winner in 2014. When the bay needed a new home in 2019, his former trainer didn't hesitate to take him in....

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Wesley Ward's Stolen Trophies Recovered

LEXINGTON, KY--The majority of the trophies that were stolen just over a month ago from trainer Wesley Ward's home in Versailles, Kentucky have been recovered. According to the Versailles Police Department's Assistant Chief Rob Young, one individual was charged with receiving stolen property and is now in custody. On the morning of Feb. 8, 2022, a thief walked off with 14 trophies, including many that Ward received from the Royal Ascot meet, but they did not take any other valuables from the home such as electronics and several other trophies...

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Ward Barn Fire Claims Three Horses

A lightning strike ignited a fire which claimed three horses at a Lexington barn owned by trainer Wesley Ward. The trio included Strike the Tiger (Tiger Ridge), who gave Ward his first victory at the Royal Ascot meeting when he won the 2009 Windsor Castle S. Also killed was the 5-year-old maiden winner Modesto (Uncle Mo) and a Hootenanny 2-year-old gelding. "The investigators just left and they determined that lightning hit the main service pole and it sent all the electricity right to the box in my barn and caused...

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Kimari Returns to Winning Ways at Gulfstream

3rd-Gulfstream, $55,000, Alw (C)/Opt. Clm ($62,500), 3-3, 4yo/up, f/m, 6 1/2f, 1:16.10, ft, 5 1/4 lengths. KIMARI (m, 5, Munnings--Cozze Up Lady {GSW, $407,169}, by Cozzene), tabbed a 'TDN Rising Star' off a dominant debut back in 2019, was a close second in that year's G2 Queen Mary S. at Royal Ascot and won two other stakes. Second in the G1 Commonwealth Cup when returning to the royal meeting in 2020, she captured a sloppy renewal of Oaklawn's Spring Fever S. in February of 2020. Following suit with a win...

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Thursday's Insights: Grade I Winner Kimari Returns at Gulfstream

3rd-GP, $62K, OC 62k/C, f/m, 4yo/up, 6 1/2f, 2:01 p.m. ET 'TDN Rising Star' KIMARI (Munnings), winner of last April's GI Madison S. at Keeneland for Ten Broeck Farm, Inc. and trainer Wesley Ward, kicks off her 5-year-old season. The 2020 G1 Commonwealth Cup and 2019 G2 Queen Mary S. runner-up, last seen finishing seventh in the GI Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint Nov. 6, subsequently brought $2.7 million at FTKNOV from M V Maginer. Kept with Ward, she will make her first start for Derrick Smith, Mrs. John Magnier, Michael...

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Trophies Stolen From Wesley Ward's House

A thief broke into Wesley Ward's home in Versailles, Kentucky Tuesday morning and walked off with 12 trophies, including many that the trainer received at the Royal Ascot meet. The story was first reported by the Lexington TV station WLEX. The robber did not seem inclined to clear out Ward's house or take such valuable items as his laptop and desktop computer. Rather, only the 12 trophies were taken while several others were left behind, including Eclipse Award trophies. The thief took only the Ascot trophies and the trophy won...

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Weekly Stewards and Commissions Rulings: Jan. 25-31

Every week, the TDN publishes a roundup of key official rulings from the primary tracks within the four major racing jurisdictions of California, New York, Florida and Kentucky. Here's a primer on how each of these jurisdictions adjudicates different offenses, what they make public and where. CALIFORNIA Track: Santa Anita Date: 01/28/2022 Licensee: Richard Dean Greenman, trainer Penalty: Required to participate in a fitness for licensure hearing before being permitted to get re-licensed (his license having expired in August of last year). Violation: N/A Explainer: Acting on an Order of...

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Wesley Ward Suspended and Fined by KY Stewards

Trainer Wesley Ward has been suspended 30 days and fined $500 as a result of Averly Jane (Midshipman) testing positive for the diabetes medication metformin after winning the Kentucky Juvenile S. at Churchill Downs on Apr. 28 last year, according to a recent Kentucky stewards ruling. Fifteen of those 30 days have been stayed, however, due to Ward's overall record and number of violations, and on condition that the trainer receives no Class A or Class B medication violations over the next year. Ward will serve the other 15 days...

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Ambitious Schedule for Golden Pal to Include Trip to Australia

Coolmore and trainer Wesley Ward have started to put together a 2022 schedule for their star grass sprinter Golden Pal (Uncle Mo) and it's likely to include at least two trips abroad. With an eye on showcasing the colt and future stallion to as many people as possible around the world, Coolmore is planning on running Golden Pal in the June 14 G1 King's Stand S. at Royal Ascot, as well as a yet-to-be-determined race in Australia. Golden Pal has raced twice in Europe, finishing second in the 2020 G2...

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Judge Rules that Ward Can Sell Ramsey Horses at Keeneland January

Jessamine (Ky.) County Circuit Court Judge Hunter Daugherty ruled Thursday that trainer Wesley Ward can sell 14 horses owned by Ken and Sarah Ramsey at the Keeneland January Sale in order to cover what Ward alleges are unpaid training bills. Ward has maintained the he is owed nearly $1 million by the Ramseys. The story was first reported by the BloodHorse. "Unfortunately, it has come down to this," Ward said. "Mr. Ramsey has been a big part of my success. We've won over $10 million in purses and 250 races...

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Uncle Mo's Golden Pal Speeds to Second BC Win in Turf Sprint

Breaking like shot out of a cannon, Golden Pal (Uncle Mo) marked his return to Breeders' Cup competition following a win in 2020 to double up with a score in Saturday's GI Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint. Sent off what seemed to be a bit of an overlay, the 5-2 favorite was sure-footed at the start, streaking to the front and cutting out a brisk quarter in :21.71. With Lieutenant Dan (Grazen) in hot pursuit through an equally fast half in :43.34, last year's GII Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint winner...

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Express Train Scratched from Classic, BC Friday Wrap

Express Train (Union Rags), slated to contest Saturday's GI Longines Breeders' Cup Classic, was scratched the morning of the race because of swelling in his hind right hock. "He was schooling in the paddock three days ago and he got a little playful, jumping around and kicked himself," trainer John Shirreffs said. "He'll be fine with a little more time and we plan on running him next year." Also withdrawn Saturday morning, Lael Stable's Arrest Me Red (Pioneerof the Nile) was forced to miss Saturday's GI Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint....

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