One day after announcing the transfer of 2022 Kentucky Derby winner Rich Strike to Bill Mott, owner Rick Dawson said three more of his horses would go to the Hall of Fame trainer and another five to Jeremiah O’Dwyer.
“I’m very much looking forward to the next several months with fingers crossed and saying a prayer or two that my horses, jocks and all involved stay healthy, safe and perform well,” Dawson said in an email. “As always, the horses remain priority one in my decision making.”
Bill Mott takes over training of Rich Strike.
Shewillghostu, a 4-year-old Girvin filly, joined Rich Strike in going to Mott. She is a maiden winner who finished seventh last out in the Bourbonette Oaks on the Turfway Park Tapeta surface on March 25.
Dawson also sent a pair of unraced 2-year-olds to Mott. Enticing Sunset is an Enticed filly who was a $30,000 yearling purchase. Hot N Lucky, who cost $20,000 last year, is a colt by Flameaway.
Common Bond, a 5-year-old gelding by The Factor, went to O’Dwyer. He has won two of 17 starts, most recently finishing last of 12 in a turf allowance at Keeneland on April 15.
O’Dwyer also got four unraced 2-year-olds sent to him by Dawson. Fast N Brave, a $30,000 yearling purchase, is an Accelerate colt. Mastery N Polished, a Mastery colt, was auctioned last year for $22,000. Rosso Cat, also sold for $22,000 as a yearling, is a filly by Vino Rosso. Loving Rita is a Cupid filly bred in Kentucky by Jack Willoughby.
The transfers came after Dawson and trainer Eric Reed parted after disputing the details of a project to turn Rich Strike’s 80-1 Derby victory into a pair of movies.
Dawson’s horses, including Rich Strike, were moved two weeks ago from Reed's Mercury Equine Center in Lexington, Ky., to Blackwood Stables in Versailles, Ky. He said his horses would be based this summer in Kentucky and New York.
