Relive our Top 20 most popular stories from the last 12 months listed by numbers of views at Thoroughbred Racing Commentary. From Secretariat to Flightline via Dubawi, Lava Man, Kent Desormeaux and Eddie Delahoussaye – among others.
1. The world’s ten most expensive sires for 2022, by Nancy Sexton
With the death of Galileo, the world’s group of most expensive sires underwent a seismic shift. Read the story here– and see how the list has changed for 2023
2. The Special Ones: Happy (official) birthday to the two last known Secretariats, by Patricia McQueen
There were more than 650 registered foals sired by Secretariat. The first were born in 1975 and the last in 1990 – and it was believed only two of them were still alive at the start of 2022. Read the story here – though in fact there was another one whose presence emerged later in the year. Sadly, though, we lost Border Run over the Christmas period. Read the story here
3. ‘There’s more to life beyond the reservation’ – native American teen Bryson Butterfly making mark as jockey, by Ken Snyder
With a little help from his mom, the 17-year-old rider is firmly established on Maryland circuit with more than $1.1m in prize-money earnings in 2022. Read the story here
4. ‘My whole life could be a movie’ – Logan Cormier, a jockey with a checkered past, stars in gritty film role, by Ken Snyder
After 16 years in prison, Cajun rider is winning again in the saddle – and making headlines for his role in the critically acclaimed feature film Jockey. Read the story here
5. ‘I don’t think there is another chance’ – Kent Desormeaux determined to conquer alcohol demons on latest comeback, by Jon Lees
Warts-and-all interview with three-time Eclipse Award-winning jockey Kent Desormeaux, who knows he is in the last-chance saloon as he bids to rebuild a Hall of Fame career at Santa Anita. Read the story here
6. I should be so lucky – 20-year-old Kylee Jordan set to debut at Breeders’ Cup on Iowa star, by Jon Lees
Iowa-trained Tyler’s Tribe made daylight victories par for the course at Prairie Meadows before heading for the big time in Kentucky – alongside his ambitious young rider. Read the story here
7. Great racetracks we have lost: Hollywood Park and the dawning of the Breeders’ Cup era, by Rachel Pagones
In the second instalment of her unmissable new series, Rachel Pagones traced the ‘amazing history’ of the track that had the distinction of hosting the inaugural Breeders’ Cup in 1984. Read the story here
8. What They’re Thinking: Eddie Delahoussaye – ‘I don’t like having rules made by people who don’t know anything about the game’
One of the winningmost riders in US racing history answered the questions in our popular series. Read the story here
9. Group 1-winning jockey Robbie Dolan set to appear on The Voice Australia, by Jon Lees
Days after showing he had the X-factor in the saddle, expat Irish jockey Robbie Dolan was announced as one of the contestants on The Voice Australia. Read the story here
10. Jay Hovdey’s Favorite Racehorses: Lost In The Fog – a lightning strike of a racehorse
Hovdey’s acclaimed series listing his personal favorites has been one of the highlights of the year on Thoroughbred Racing Commentary. Here he recalls the superstar sprinter from the wrong side of the tracks whose career was cruelly cut short. Read the story here
11. The new Secretariat? Flightline earns extraordinary Beyer figure of 126 for Pacific Classic romp, by Nicholas Godfrey
The majestic Flightline is sure to be named US Horse of the Year after his spectacular efforts in 2022. He drew comparisons with the legendary Secretariat for his extraordinary 19-length romp in the Pacific Classic at Del Mar – but were they valid? Read the story here
12. ‘Frankel might be the equivalent’ - focus on Flightline, the ‘once-in-a-generation’ horse, by Steve Dennis
Flightline again, and more comparisons with the greats – and this was before the Pacific Classic in a major interview with trainer John Sadler. Read the story here
13. How I won the Kentucky Derby on 80-1 shocker Rich Strike – jockey Sonny Leon in his own words
Little-known jockey reveals his emotions as he tells the tale of an unlikely success in America’s greatest race. Read the story here
14. Who’s the daddy? Top ten greatest sires of the last 100 years, by Nancy Sexton
A magisterial two-parter featuring the likes of Northern Dancer, Nearco, Sadler’s Wells, Galileo and the rest … Read part one here and read part two here
15. Derby winner Serpentine gelded after joining top Aussie owner Lloyd Williams, by Jon Lees
Unkindest cut as shock 25-1 winner at Epsom in 2020 is believed to be the first Derby winner since at least 1900 to be gelded. Read the story here
16. ‘I don’t think he did anything blatantly wrong’ – Rich Strike trainer stands by his man after 15-day ban, by Jon Lees
Aftermath of a controversial finish to the Lukas Classic in September as Kentucky Derby-winning trainer Eric Reed stands by under-fire jockey Sonny Leon, saying he'd keep the Rich Strike ride in the Breeders’ Cup Classic. Read the story here
17. America’s favorite racetrack – but just what is it that makes Saratoga so great? by Steve Dennis
Ahead of the annual summer meet at Saratoga, our special feature examined what all the fuss is about when it comes the most beloved venue in US racing. Read the story here
18. Farewell to racing’s loveable loser: remembering Zippy Chippy, the ‘world’s worst racehorse’, by Steve Dennis
Zippy Chippy, the hugely popular gelding who earned national celebrity for his career record of zero wins in 100 starts, died on April 15. We paid tribute to an equine legend – of sorts. Read the story here
19. ‘He likes to be the boss’ – Lava Man enjoys his retirement at Old Friends, by Amanda Duckworth
After two careers as a top-class racehorse and a high-profile track pony, Lava Man is settling into a new life at the Kentucky equine retirement facility. Read the story here
20. ‘He’s the best American Pharoah on dirt right now’ – and even Bob Baffert agrees! by Jon Lees
Cypriot expat trainer George Papaprodromou gave us the lowdown on G1 winner American Theorem.Read the story here
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