Zipse: Far Bridge carries on the legacy of English Channel

Turf racing in the United States plays second fiddle to dirt racing, unless your name was English Channel. Further proof of that was on display Saturday when the late stallion looked down from above on another standout grass runner in his son Far Bridge.

European domination in the biggest races on the U.S. grass has continued on for longer than I care to admit, but through it all, English Channel has been a consistent thorn in the side of the raiders from across the pond.

I could not help but smile Saturday, Florida Derby day at Gulfstream Park, when Far Bridge demonstrated dogged determination down the lane to win the Grade 3 Pan American Stakes in his first start of the 2025 season. The victory so reminded me of his great sire English Channel.

Gulfstream Park stakes: Far Bridge wins Pan American.

As a racehorse, English Channel was as tough as a $2 steak and as consistently combative as the waters that flow between southern England and northern France.

A son of Smart Strike out of Theatrical mare Belva, he commanded $50,000 at the Keeneland September sale of 2003, a figure he would win more than 100 times over as a runner.

Trained by Todd Pletcher, the smallish chestnut colt with a big heart won his only start at 2 before proving himself as one of America’s outstanding grass runners the next three seasons.

English Channel could win on any type of turf condition and consistently ran in the biggest races in America for grass horses. A major winner at 3,4 and 5, he retired as a champion with 13 wins from 23 career starts with better than $5 million in the bank.

He went out on the ultimate high note. On a soggy turf course at Monmouth Park, English Channel put an emphatic stamp on his career with a record-setting victory in the 2007 Breeders’ Cup Turf, rolling home by seven lengths. Retired after the race, he would live up to his racing career in the breeding shed.

The sire of 11 different Grade 1 winners, English Channel progeny have won big races on all surfaces, but it has been on the green where they really have shined.

Many of my favorite turf horses of recent years have been sons or daughters of English Channel. They can run all day, they are durable, and they get better with age. The Pizza Man, Channel Maker and War Like Goddess readily come to mind. Add Far Bridge to the list.

Like his sire, Far Bridge always has been good but has flourished at extended distances. A Grade 1 winner in his first season at 3, he also is getting better with age.

Consecutive wins last year in the Sword Dancer (G1) at Saratoga and the Joe Hirsch Turf Classic (G1) at Aqueduct pushed him to the forefront of American turf racing.

Owned by LSU Stables and trained by Christophe Clément, he had a rather tough trip in his first try in the Breeders’ Cup Turf last fall and couldn’t go on with classy European Rebels Romance down the Del Mar stretch.

Still, 2024 was a breakthrough season for Far Bridge. Able to run under any turf condition and with a fighting spirit reminiscent of his sire, I was happy to see that the three-time Grade 1 winner would be returning for his 5-year-old season.

After a layoff of nearly five months, he made it back to the races Saturday. With the Florida Derby (G1) and White Abarrio on the undercard, Far Bridge never was going to be the talk of the card at Gulfstream Park. Nonetheless, I was eager to see him in his return race. I was not disappointed.

Ridden by Joel Rosario, the 4-5 favorite launched his winning move coming off the far turn and collared game pacesetter Corruption as they hit the stretch. The pair would produce an epic battle to the wire with Far Bridge showing his class for the win.

In maintaining his perfect record at Gulfstream Park, Far Bridge had to earn the victory in his return to the races. He gave six pounds to the sharp runner-up and finished in racehorse time of 2:22.73 for the 1 1/2 miles on the firm turf. The win should set him up nicely for bigger races to come this spring and summer in New York.

Now a fully mature racehorse, Far Bridge appears ready to become America’s premier turf runner at a distance of ground. Saturday’s victory displayed everything I wanted to see. It was fast, and it was tough. I have every confidence this will be the best season yet. He is a son of English Channel, after all.

It took his champion sire three attempts to win the Breeders’ Cup Turf. Look for Far Bridge to earn his second chance later this year at Del Mar.

Sadly, English Channel passed away in the fall of 2021. The death of our leading turf sire came far too early at the age of 19, but his legacy lives on through horses like Far Bridge.

Dirt racing may be king in the United States, but I love good turf racing, and I always have loved English Channel. Through his time on the track and the accomplishments of his sons and daughters, he remains the gold standard of American turf.