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| Photo: Taylor Made Stallions |
"I decided on Junior's birth [that the Kentucky Derby was the best route]," Martin shared with Retama Ruffian. "It was two years before Art would even meet Chrome. It took some time for Mr. Sherman to agree, but by the California Cup he was convinced."
The San Felipe (gr. 2) established the dominance of California Chrome when he took the open company field by 7 1/4 lengths. It was at this point that American realized that their next Derby winner more than likely might be from California. Many racing fans expected to have a great match up in the Santa Anita Derby between California Chrome and Candy Boy, winner of the Robert B. Lewis Stakes. This race established California Chrome as the Kentucky Derby favorite and Hoppertunity, the second place finisher, as the second choice. (Hoppertunity was scratched from the Kentucky Derby.)
Just as in the movie 50-1, where Mine That Bird majorly upset the Kentucky Derby, blue-blooded, large operation Thoroughbred owners laughed at California Chrome. The colt was out of a $8,500 mare and by an unknown $2,500 stallion, which wasn't pocket change for Perry Martin and, at the time, thirty percent owner, Steve Coburn. Though, California Chrome was established as the morning line favorite, that didn't make winning the Kentucky Derby any less special.
"I was very proud and happy for the entire team. Everybody worked hard and they all deserve recognition," Martin said on the how it felt to win the Kentucky Derby and then Preakness.
After a disappointing fourth due to an injury, California Chrome was eased in the stretch of the Pennsylvania Derby to finish sixth. He rebounded of that effort to finish a very game third in the 2014 Breeders' Cup Classic to Bayern and Toast of New York. The Classic could be considered one of the most controversial races of the year, specifically citing the incident between Bayern and the at-the-time-undefeated and ill-fated Shared Belief.
With a win in the Hollywood Derby and a second in the San Antonio Invitational Stakes to Shared Belief, California Chrome shipped off to Dubai. In his first overseas performance, the chestnut stallion finished second to Prince Bishop as the 3/2 favorite. After the DWC, plans were in place to race at Royal Ascot that June. "I've talked to Art and I've decided we are going to Royal Ascot directly from here," Martin told the Sacramento Bee. "We will train at Newmarket, where Frankel trained. Then, we'll do our best at Royal Ascot."
However, due to a foot abscess, California Chrome was forced to miss the Prince of Wales Stakes. "He's pretty sore on it," Sherman said of the injury, "He must have bruised it when he was galloping up one of those hills. It's devastating. We have never had a pimple on this horse all the time we had him but the abscess popped out and the foot wasn't good. I am so sorry he can't run."
California Chrome took the remainder of the year off and had some much deserved rest and rehabilitation at Taylor Made Farm, where he will be standing stud. On January 9th, California Chrome made his 2016 debut in the San Pasqual Stakes (gr. 2). He finished 1 1/14 lengths ahead of a fast closing Imperative in the 1 1/16 mile test.
On January 21st, California Chrome boarded the plane along with dozens of bags of Hallway Feeds for his time in Dubai. After training for five weeks in Dubai, California Chrome was entered in a handicap at Meydan Racecourse on February 25th. The stallion won it without much trouble. Almost exactly a month later, California Chrome was sent off as the co-favorite with Frosted at 15/8 in the Dubai World Cup.
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| Photo: Lauren Nethery |
Though California Chrome had troubles with his saddle slipping (it ended up far past his barrel), both jockey Victor Espinoza and his horse won the race easily. The win in the $10 million DWC boosted California Chrome into the world's richest racehorse's seat. He surpassed Curlin's $10,501,800 with $12,532,650. For many horses, especially those as talented as California Chrome, this would be the end of their racing days. However, the horse still enjoys it.
"Every horse is different. Racing is a tough sport and injuries can take their toll. Some horses lose the will to run after a long recovery period. Chrome loves to run and has improved with age. As long as his heart is in it, we have the option to continue racing. If he tells us he is done - we'll retire him," Martin responded when asked about California Chrome's long career.
As of now, California Chrome will be staying in California for the rest of the 2016 career. The Pacific Classic, Awesome Again and Breeders' Cup Classic seem to be the plan. However, instead of the Awesome Again being a prep race for the Breeders' Cup Classic, the BC Classic will be a prep race for the $12 million dollar Pegasus World Cup.
"We were the first to put up a million dollars to take on all comers," Martin said about the possibility to race against Nyquist, Runhappy, ect. "We are very busy lining up the very best mares for the 2017 [breeding] season. It would take a lot of incentive to deviate off that course."
Taylor Made Stallions could not be reached for comment on this matter. If the farm does respond, this article will be updated accordingly.
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