November 1, 2019 : British Idiom, ridden by Javier Castellano, wins the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies on Breeders’ Cup Championship Friday at Santa Anita Park in Arcadia, California on November 1, 2019. John Voorhees/Eclipse Sportswire/Breeders’ Cup/CSM

After all of the success for our clients in 2018, it seemed as though 2019 had a mountain to climb to reach those lofty heights. It came pretty darn close.

BSW clients took down more than 70 stakes victories this year, led by the successes of British Idiom and Uni at the Breeders’ Cup. Additionally, BSW clients are likely to take home at least two Eclipse Awards this year, with a chance for a third.

British Idiom’s win in the G1 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies, which came after a blowout success in the G1 Darley Alcibiades at Keeneland wrapped up a campaign that is likely to see her crowned as Champion Two Year Old Filly. British Idiom was bought for $40,000 at Fasig-Tipton October in 2018 on behalf of The Elkstone Group, Madaket Stables, Michael Dubb and Bethlehem Stables.

Uni, a multiple G1 winning BSW private purchase in conjunction with Mandore Agency for owners Robert LaPenta, Head of Plains Partners, Michael Dubb and Bethlehem Stables, flew down the lane to take the G1 Breeders’ Cup Mile, putting her in contention to take Champion Female Turf Horse honors.

One of the stars of 2019 was undoubtedly Midnight Bisou, a 2018 BSW private purchase for Madaket Stables, joining original owners Bloom Racing and Allen Racing, who took three G1 victories, highlighted by her narrow victory in the G1 Personal Ensign at Saratoga after a stretch long duel with Elate. Midnight Bisou is odds-on to take home the Eclipse Award for Champion Older Dirt Female.

One of the fastest horses in the world, World of Trouble went four for four in 2019 for owners Michael Dubb, Madaket Stables and Bethlehem Stables, becoming a G1 winner on both turf and dirt, with victories in the G1 Carter at Aqueduct as well as a the G1 Jaipur at Belmont Park. The son of Kantharos recently retired to stand where he will be standing alongside his sire at Hill ‘n Dale Farm.

Mia Mischief, a 2018 BSW private purchase on behalf of Madaket Stables and Heider Family Stables joining original owners Bill and Corinne Heiligbrodgt, made Kentucky Derby weekend a memorable one when she took the G1 Humana Distaff, beating two other G1 winners in the process. The derby day success marked the first ever G1 victory for Scott Heider’s stable.

Channel Maker, a two time BSW private purchase, acquired by Adam Wachtel and Gary Barber through BSW Bloodstock before the 2016 Breeders’ Cup and again when 50% was sold to form a new partnership with RA Hill and Reeves Thoroughbreds through BSW before the 2018 Breeders’ Cup, added a second G1 victory this year when swooping late to take the Man o’ War at Belmont of G1 winners Arklow and Magic Wand.

On the client end of the spectrum, several of our clients had outstanding years, including Sol Kumin, whose horses racked up 61 stakes victories, including 34 graded stakes wins and 15 G1 successes, including the two aforementioned Breeders’ Cup wins.

Michael Dubb had a big year as well, with a hand in both Uni and British Idiom as well as World of Trouble and Shekky Shebaz, the August BSW private purchase off a win against $25,000 claimers, who ultimately took down a Saratoga stakes race in his next start before running 3rd in the G1 Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint.

The Elkstone Group, Stuart Grant’s Nom de Course, had it’s best year statistically since entering horse racing. The stable’s runners averaged $14,397 per start, a number that would put it in the top five in the country for owners with more than 100 starts. The stable was led by likely Champion British Idiom as well as standout three year old turf horse, Social Paranoia, who took down the $600,000 Dueling Grounds Derby at Kentucky Downs in his final start of the year.

Hello Beautiful, syndicated by BSW Bloodstock in August of 2019, posted two stakes victories as well as a 95 Beyer Speed Figure, the fastest of any two year old filly in 2019.

2019 was a big year for BSW, but with several top horses staying in training for 2020, it looks as though next year has the capability of matching the successes of this year.