Ramsey Hopes to Add Queen's Plate to Record
With three Eclipse Awards for Outstanding Owner and one for Outstanding Breeder; nine meet-leading titles in 2013 (including breaking records for wins at Gulfstream Park, Keeneland, Churchill Downs, Kentucky Downs, and Saratoga); the #1 sire by earnings in 2013 and the current leading turf sire in Kitten's Joy, it might not be much of a stretch to think of Ken and Sarah Ramsey as racing royalty.
But among their many achievements in horse racing—winning the 2011 Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies with their homebred Stephanie's Kitten, named after their granddaughter; topping the North American earnings' list in 2013; winning three Grade 1 races on the same day last August—meeting the Queen of England tops the list.
"It was the highlight of my racing experiences," said Ken Ramsey recently. "I have a particular liking for the Queen."
Which is one reason that he is so keen to win the Queen's Plate, which he'll try to do this Saturday with favored We Miss Artie, winner of the Plate Trial here on June 15.
The Ramseys are among the few U.S.-based owners that ship horses overseas to run, having made three appearances at Royal Ascot, finishing second twice.
"We didn't get a win," said Ken, "but we ended up being fortunate enough to be invited to high tea with the Queen.
"We spent about 35 minutes with her a couple of years ago, so anything concerning her I'm very appreciative of. The Queen's Plate is named after the Queen of England, and Canada is a commonwealth nation, so I have a high regard for this race."
To read the full story, prepared by Teresa Genaro for QueensPlate.com, click here http://weg.bz/1t69FGm