Horse Racing News: Belmont Stakes and Matt Winn Stakes Wins Solidify Trainer Danny Gargan’s Status
For Louisville native and horse trainer Danny Gargan, sweeping the Belmont Stakes with Dornoch on Saturday and the Grade 3 Matt Winn Stakes with Society Man the following day was an “epic weekend” that showcased his rising talent in the sport.
Gargan, who opened his stable in 2013, had his first-ever Grade 1 winner with Dornoch, a full brother to last year’s Kentucky Derby champion Mage. Despite a difficult trip in the Kentucky Derby where Dornoch finished 10th, the colt rebounded impressively to capture the prestigious Belmont Stakes.
The following day, Gargan’s other promising 3-year-old, Society Man, delivered a dominant victory in the Grade 3 Matt Winn Stakes at Churchill Downs. Like Dornoch, Society Man had struggled in the Kentucky Derby, finishing 16th, but Gargan was able to get him back on track for the next outing.
“A lot of horses who run in the Derby never win again. It tears them up,” said the 52-year-old trainer. “I’m super proud to have two horses run in the Derby and win their next out. It’s hard to do.”
With his breakthrough success at the Belmont Stakes and Matt Winn Stakes, Gargan has solidified his reputation as a rising star in the training ranks. His ability to develop young horses and get them to perform at the highest levels of the sport has caught the attention of owners and the industry.
“He won a Triple Crown race with a 17-1 shot. It’s not like he ran the favorite,” noted owner Randy Hill, who has supported Gargan’s operation. “He did a great job of training the horse, so that’s going to come to people’s attention. He certainly solidified himself as a trainer.”
Looking ahead, Gargan is considering the Haskell Invitational (G1) or the Jim Dandy Stakes (G2) as potential next stops for Dornoch, while Society Man could target the West Virginia Derby (G3) or the Super Derby at Louisiana Downs.
With his “epic weekend” sweep, Danny Gargan has proven himself as a trainer to watch in the world of horse racing. His ability to get the best out of his young stock has set the stage for an exciting future as he looks to build on this momentum and cement his status as a leading figure in the sport.
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