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| Staff Writer |
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Can there be a better fight? Mandaloun and Midnight Bourbon, the one-two finishers in the Gr.3 Louisiana Stakes, are set to meet again in the US$20 million Saudi Cup against defending champ Mishriff.
According to Steve Asmussen, Ron Winchell’s US$525,000 purchase at the Keeneland September sale in 2019, ‘possibly end up being the best horse in training in the world this year’.
During a frustrating 3YO campaign Midnight Bourbon suffered a series of near misses in major races, finishing sixth in the Kentucky Derby, second in the Preakness Stakes, then unseating his jockey in a controversial Haskell and getting placed in two more Group Ones without scoring at the top level.
As 3YOs Midnight Bourbon’s record is inextricably intertwined with that of Mandaloun. But Midnight Bourbon is set to prove himself on the world stage by defeating the defending champion Mishriff, who heads a compelling international cast of likely runners for the US$20 million feature on Saturday.
Ten Furlongs chats with Ron Winchell, who campaigns the Gr.3 Lecomte Stakes winner in the name of his family’s Winchell Thoroughbreds, is the co-owner and co-managing partner of Franklin's Kentucky Downs with Marc Falcone. He’s also a Las Vegas entrepreneur as well as an internationally prominent owner and breeder.
Q: How is Midnight Bourbon doing, and what are his travel plans?
A: Midnight Bourbon couldn’t be doing any better from our perspective. He arrived in Saudi on Thursday and handled the trip perfectly.
Q: What are your plans for Midnight Bourbon after he leaves Saudi? And what are your plans for him after he returns from the Middle East region? And what are your plans for him once he returns to the US?
A: If Midnight Bourbon runs to our expectations the plan would be to run in Dubai.
After he returns to the US we will have to see how he handled the trip. Last year we skipped the Breeders Cup with this year in mind so that would definitely be a long-term potential goal.
Q: Will you be travelling to Saudi as well? What are your plans?
A: I am currently planning on travelling to Saudi and looking forward to seeing him run in the Saudi Cup.
Q: Could you please tell us more about the buying of Midnight Bourbon? What’s special about him?
A: His dam Catch the Moon (who has already produced a Group One winner) played a big part in the process. The female family is very successful in producing fast winners, so speed and stamina were at the forefront in the decision making. He inherited both of those traits and they should play well for him in the Saudi Cup. What also makes him special is his athleticism which was reflective of what we saw in his Haskell race. After having his front legs swept from under him he somehow was able to recover and not go down. I’m still amazed when I watch the replay.
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Q: According to you, what has been his best race? And why?
A: I thought the Travers race was one of his best performances. He was nice and relaxed. He ran at a reasonable pace that he controlled. Unfortunately, he got caught at the wire by the 3YO champion Essential Quality.
Q: Although they say ‘what’s in a name?’, where does his name come from?
A: Bourbon being a staple of Kentucky mixed with Midnight from his dam Catch the Moon is how that came together. Plus, I can appreciate a good bourbon and just love the name.
Q: What has been your absolute favourite race in the Middle East?
A: It would definitely have to be the Dubai World Cup. I enjoy Dubai and the atmosphere around the World Cup.
Q: For a man that owns his own racecourse, what do you like about the Saudi and Dubai racecourses?
A: I haven’t raced on the Saudi racecourse so I don’t have an opinion about that one.
The Dubai racecourse is the one I thought was pretty good for one primary reason. We ran second with Gun Runner in 2017, and after coming back to the US he never lost a race. So anytime you can come off a course and move forward that is a big positive from my perspective.
Q: Where do you see Winchell Thoroughbreds over the next decade?
A: My goal is to always race at a top-level with horses that below eventually become top stallions. We then utilize our farm operation to develop those stallions. That will continue to be our goal for the next decade and hopefully longer.
Q: And finally, you are an inspiration to many, who continues to inspire you, and why?
A: The horses inspire me. Seeing any horse put on a rare performance is inspirational. Thinking back on Gun Runners' past performance and how he improved with every start is a source of inspiration to keep me going.