Rich Strike owner reverses decision to offer him for sale

Rick Dawson, owner of 2022 Kentucky Derby winner Rich Strike, has decided not to enter him in a Keeneland sale Friday as planned.

In a text message to Horse Racing Nation, Dawson said he revised his plan "after much consideration."

"Rich Strike will continue his stay and light exercise at Margaux Farm," Dawson said.

He said he will make further announcements about the 4-year-old son of Keen Ice when appropriate.

Plans called for Rich Strike to be consigned to Keeneland's November horses of racing age sale as a stallion prospect by Candy Meadows Farm, agent for RED TR-Racing.

Dawson told HRN last week that the initial decision to sell came after Rich Strike had been treated for front leg problems for the last several months and was limited to light exercise.

Rich Strike won the Kentucky Derby at odds of 80-1. In six graded-stakes starts since, his best finish was a second in the 2022 Lucas Classic (G2).

His last race was a fifth-place finish in the Alysheba (G2) on the 2023 Kentucky Oaks undercard, which followed a five-month layoff.

Shortly after, trainer Eric Reed resigned amid a dispute with Dawson about the direction of a media deal to tell the Rich Strike story. Dawson chose Hall of Famer Bill Mott as his new trainer, but he first ordered a full body scan on Rich Strike. That revealed the main reason he had been on the bench.