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| Staff Writer |
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Brittany Troxtell developed a fondness for horses when she was a little girl, and that love has only deepened as she has grown into a young woman. Her passion for these magnificent creatures is particularly evident when she takes on the role of an exercise rider at the bustling stable of renowned Hall of Fame trainer Bill Mott.
On Sunday morning, Troxtell was quite busy as she was part of the Mott team that was fine-tuning their all-star lineup for the upcoming Breeders' Cup. She worked with Casa Creed, who will be running in the US$2 million FanDuel Breeders' Cup Mile (Gr.1), and has also been aboard Elite Power who is seeking his second consecutive win in the US$2 million Qatar Racing Breeders' Cup Sprint (Gr.1). Troxtell saved the best for last as she went for her final workout on War Like Goddess before the US$4 million Longines Breeders' Cup Turf (Gr.1).
“I am honored to ride any horse in the barn,” Troxtell said with a smile. “I definitely have my favorites with War Like Goddess being one of them.”
War Like Goddess, the offspring of the legendary English Channel, is set to take on the male contenders in the Turf race, which spans a distance of 1 1/2 miles and boasts a formidable lineup of international challengers. War Like Goddess has a proven track record of triumphing over male horses, having won the prestigious Joe Hirsch Turf Classic Stakes (Gr.1) for two consecutive years in New York. Despite her past successes, she has yet to win the Breeders' Cup, having placed third in both the Turf and the Filly & Mare Turf (Gr.1) in 2020 and 2021, respectively.
“It would mean so much to me if she could win,” Troxtell. 22, said. “That is because she is the biggest, most accomplished horse I have ridden on a consistent basis. It would mean a lot to the whole team, not just me.”
Brittany Troxtell, a native of Florida, developed a lifelong fascination with thoroughbred horses. Her mother fueled this passion by gifting her riding lessons at the age of 10, which quickly became a beloved pastime for the young equestrian.
“Once I got those lessons, you could not get me away from it,” she said. “I would always count down the days when I could get to do something with the horses.”
As she aged, her affection for the horse never dwindled. Once she realized that equestrianism could be a viable career path, her enthusiasm only intensified. Eventually, an opportunity presented itself at Mott's stable, and she decided to take a leap of faith. Now, she finds herself right where she belongs.
“She has been a great employee,” Mott said. “She learned well and has done a great job for us.”
Troxtell's biggest breakthrough came last summer when Mott entrusted her with the ownership of War Like Goddess. She both exercised and trained her diligently.
“Loyalty is everything,” Mott said. “That is what it is all about. You get people on the same team and they all want the end goal to be the same for the horses. It’s not a me, me, me thing. She has obviously progressed well to be out there on those horses. She has a good disposition, has good feedback with the horses and she loves the horses. Plus, she is a good rider. That is what it’s all about.”
As the Breeders' Cup draws near, there is a mix of excitement and sadness in the air. The event marks the end of illustrious careers for horses like Cody's Wish and Elite Power. Both War Like Goddess and Casa Creed are also reaching a milestone, as they turn 6 and 7 YO respectively.
“I get a little more attached to them than I should,” she said. “If War Like Goddess retires, I will be a little sad. All the horses I have swung a leg over – like Casa Creed and Elite Power – some will be retired. Sad, but so thankful that I have been around them. The whole string we have here is pretty incredible.”