Christy Whitman, a sharp observer of the horse racing world, has built her career on an unconventional yet highly effective approach to identifying Thoroughbred talent. Her strategy hinges on a quick, intuitive assessment of horses at sales, often bypassing the traditional barn inspections in favor of observing them in the bustling back ring. This impulsive method, akin to buying a lottery ticket, has yielded life-changing rewards, most notably with Medina Spirit, the $1,000 purchase who triumphed as the 147th winner of the Kentucky Derby.
Whitman’s decision at the 2019 Ocala Breeders’ Sales Winter Mixed Sale was a testament to her belief in spotting potential where others might overlook it. While Medina Spirit’s pedigree was modest and his sire, Protonico, was not widely known to Whitman, the dark bay colt possessed a physical presence and a self-assured carriage that captured her attention. “I just bought him out of the back ring,” Whitman recalled. “I know it doesn’t always work for everybody, but I’ve always been on a budget as far as what I can spend on horses.” Her strategy of focusing on the back ring allows her to see every horse that enters, increasing her chances of finding affordable gems. She meticulously examines each one, looking for the balance, build, and athleticism that indicate raw talent, even if the catalog page doesn’t suggest greatness. Medina Spirit, with his good hip, strong topline, and athletic correctness, fit her criteria perfectly, despite his unassuming pedigree.
Bred in Florida by Gail Rice, Medina Spirit was out of the mare Mongolian Changa and hailed from a less celebrated female family. Offered by Summerfield, agent, at the sale, Whitman initially intended to pinhook the colt for one of her exercise riders. “He was just a really nice physical,” Whitman stated. Her rider put significant effort into training the colt, who displayed a calm demeanor and excellent movement. Due to his purchase price, Medina Spirit missed earlier sales and eventually entered the OBS July sale, which was delayed due to the pandemic.
At the OBS July sale, Medina Spirit impressed during his under-tack show, working three-eighths of a mile in :33. Amr Zedan of Zedan Racing Stables, alerted by Protonico’s owner, Oussama Aboughazale, purchased Medina Spirit for $35,000. The colt then entered the stable of the esteemed trainer Bob Baffert in California.
Medina Spirit quickly made his mark, breaking his maiden on debut at Los Alamitos Race Course. He continued to impress at age three, securing second place in the Sham Stakes (G3) before winning the Robert B. Lewis Stakes (G3) at Santa Anita Park. Despite subsequent second-place finishes in the San Felipe Stakes (G2) and the Runhappy Santa Anita Derby (G1), he was often overshadowed by other contenders in Baffert’s barn.
Whitman, though hopeful, maintained a degree of caution, having experienced disappointment the previous year with Wells Bayou, another pinhook prospect who fell short of the Derby. “When this horse started running well this year, I just hoped he would make it to the Derby,” she said. As Baffert’s other potential Derby runners like Life Is Good and Concert Tour were sidelined, Medina Spirit became his sole contender. Many bettors underestimated him due to his price tag and pedigree, but Whitman recognized his inherent heart and fight. She pointed out his resilience in races like the Robert B. Lewis, where he faced pressure but battled back, demonstrating a tenacity that impressed her. “To me that was the best race I’d seen a 3-year-old run all season,” she remarked about his performance in the Lewis.
Whitman highlighted Medina Spirit’s fighting spirit, noting, “Medina Spirit has never been beaten by any horse that has come to him.” She elaborated on his Santa Anita Derby performance, where he battled back against challengers, showcasing his will to win. She credited jockey John Velazquez for a perfect ride in the Kentucky Derby, allowing Medina Spirit to maintain his position near the lead and fend off competitors.
The thrilling victory at the Kentucky Derby was a profound validation for Whitman’s unconventional buying strategy. “It’s great because sometimes you start second-guessing,” she admitted. Her system, which prioritizes spotting athletic potential over pedigree, has been instrumental in her success. “It’s about finding horses others are overlooking and seeing the potential.” Whitman encourages others to look beyond the catalog page and focus on the individual horse’s athleticism and heart, believing these qualities are more crucial for success than a flashy pedigree. She hopes Medina Spirit’s journey will inspire more consignors and buyers to consider horses that might otherwise be overlooked, proving that true talent can be found in the most unexpected places.
