Four Thoroughbreds Take On Kentucky Five Star

Originally posted on Paulick Report | Last updated 4/22/24

With a compact field of 36 expected this year's edition of the five star Defender Kentucky event, a total of four full Thoroughbreds are expected to tackle the three day eventing top-level competition at the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington.

Twilightslastgleam (National Anthem x Royal Child, by Northern Baby) is a 14-year-old chestnut gelding bred and still owned by Tim and Nina Gardner. "Comic" started out in race training, but never showed any desire for that sport and met rider Jennie Brannigan in 2014.

Comic takes on the five star here at Kentucky for the second time, after finishing 17th in 2023. His other finish at the sport's top level was a 16th at the 2022 Maryland Five Star.

Artist (Guillotine x Maxamore, by Volksraad) is a bay New Zealand-bred, aged 13, who will be ridden by owner Monica Spencer. Originally bred by Windsor Park Stud, the gelding never raced, and Spencer purchased him at age four.

Spencer and Artist, known as "Max," helped the New Zealand team to a bronze-medal finish in the 2022 FEI Eventing World Championships in Italy, and came to the United States in 2023. The pair competed in the Maryland Five Star last fall, finishing seventh.

Phelps (Tiznow x Boom Town Gal, by Cactus Ridge) is an 11-year-old bay gelding owned by Olympian David O'Connor and competed by Mia Farley. Phelps and Farley hold the honor of being the only pair to complete the cross country course inside the time at last fall's Maryland Five Star, and ultimately finished fifth in their debut at the level.

Sorocaima (Rock Hard Ten x Sankobasi, by Pulpit) is a 13-year-old warhorse who raced a total of 43 times, primarily in Florida and Pennsylvania. The gelding recorded four wins, eight seconds, and two thirds for lifetime earnings of $82,396. Bred in Kentucky by Machmer Hall & Poindexter Thoroughbreds, Sorocaima is now owned by Karli Wright and will take on the five star with veteran Bruce Davidson, Jr. in the saddle.

Sorocaima finished ninth at the Maryland Five Star last fall, his best finish in four tries at the level.

This article first appeared on Paulick Report and was syndicated with permission.

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