Kenneth McPeek
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Kenneth G. McPeek (born August 2, 1962) is an American Thoroughbred racehorse trainer and a bloodstock agent.[2] McPeek gained prominence by winning the 2024 Kentucky Derby (G1) in a thrilling three-horse photo finish with the 18-1 underdog Mystik Dan[3] and the 2024 Kentucky Oaks (G1) with Thorpedo Anna. This achievement marked the first time since 1952 that a trainer swept both prestigious races in the same year, making McPeek the third trainer in history to achieve this feat.[4] McPeek has expressed that his proudest accomplishment is achieving this success with what he calls "working class horses."[5]
The 2024 Kentucky Derby win also made McPeek one of only five living trainers who have won all three Triple Crown races.[6] McPeek won his first classic in 2002 with the 70-1 longshot Sarava in the Belmont Stakes (G1).[7] Eighteen years later, he won the 2020 Preakness Stakes.(G!) with the filly Swiss Skydiver.[8] Lexington, Ky, Mayor Linda Gorton proclaimed July 2, as "Kenny McPeek" Day" to honor his significant contributions to the horseracing industry.[9]
Background
[edit]McPeek was born at the Fort Chafee military base near Fort Smith, Arkansas, while his father, Ron, was stationed with the 101st Airborne Division. His mother went into labor unexpectedly while visiting Ron. Shortly after Kenny's birth, he and his mother returned to their home in Lexington, Kentucky. Since both of his parents grew up in Lexington and McPeek was raised there, he regards himself as a native of the city.[9]
Life and career
[edit]McPeek's interest in horses and racing was sparked by his father's ownership of several Thoroughbreds.[9] After earning a degree in Business Administration from the University of Kentucky,[10] McPeek interviewed for a position as a stockbroker in New York, but decided to being his career in the Thoroughbred racing industry by taking a job as a hot walker for Shug McGaughey.[11] In 1985 McPeek obtained his training license when his father entrusted him with overseeing some of his race horses. McPeek saddled his first winner, Final Destroyer, owned by his father, at River Downs (now known as Belterra Park,) in October 1985.[12]
First Stakes Win: In 1991, McPeek saddled his first stakes winner, Red Wing, at Canterbury Park.[9]
First Graded Stakes Win: In 1994, McPeek won his first graded stakes race in the Beaumont Stakes (G2) at Keeneland with Her Temper.[10]
First Grade 1 Win: In 2002, McPeek won the Florida Derby at Gulfstream Park with Harlan's Holiday's.[10] The following month, he saddled Take Charge Lady to victory in Keeneland's Ashland Stakes.[13] Later that year, with the Triple Crown on the line for War Emblem, McPeek's colt Sarava caused an upset by winning the Belmont Stakes at odds of 70:1.[7] McPeek was also the recipient of Big Sport of Turfdom Award.[11]
June 2005, McPeek decided to scale back his operations, feeling that his stable of 160 horses in six states had become too large. He chose to focus on being a bloodstock agent, a decision that led to the purchase of future two-time Horse of the Year, Curlin, at the Keeneland September Sale for $57,000. McPeek returned to training in the spring of 2006.[9]
2006, McPeek purchased the former Pillar Stud Farm, a 115-acre parcel in Lexington, Kentucky, from William du Pont Jr., who was selling off pieces of his massive landholdings portfolio due to financial difficulties.[14][15] McPeek renamed the farm to Magdalena Farm in honor of Magdalena Weber Shely (b. 6/2/1793), the original Matriarch of the land.[16] The office at Magdalena Farm is the home base for McPeek Racing.
2009, McPeek achieved his 1,000th career win at Churchill Downs.[17]
2012, McPeek won the Travers when Golden Ticket dead-heated with Alpha.[11] McPeek also developed a mobile app called Horse Racing Now, designed to provide horse racing videos and data for both new fans veteran horseplayers. called Horse Races Now.[18]
2018, McPeek purchased Swiss Skydiver for $35,000, who later won the 2020 Preakness Stakes.[8]
2024, McPeek saddled his 2,000th career winner on February 21, at Turfway Park.[8]
Mc Peek's horse Mystik Dan won the Kentucky Derby, giving McPeek individual wins in all three of the American Triple Crown races.[6] As of July 31, 2024, McPeek has career earnings of $126,474,936.[1]
Bloodstock Agent
[edit]Bloodstock Agent McPeek, has also built a significant reputation as a bloodstock agent, known as a “Savvy Shopper” and for his great eye for talent at the sales. McPeek’s approach to purchasing horses is rooted in a system he developed early in his career when working with limited budgets. "I focus on the athlete rather than the pedigree," McPeek stated, noting that success in the winner's circle ultimately overshadows bloodlines.[19]
1993: One of his early successes was Tejano Run, purchased for $6,000, who went on to finish second in the Kentucky Derby[20] and earn $1,166,842 in purse money.[21]
2000: Among McPeek's notable purchases is Take Charge Lady, acquired for $175,000. Despite her modest pedigree, she won over $2.4 million during her career and became a Blue Hen mare, producing champions like Take Charge Brandi and Omaha Beach.[22]
2005: McPeek stepped back from training to focus on bloodstock, leading to one of his most famous purchases: Curlin. Purchased for a modest sum of $57,000 due to an inflamed ankle, Curlin went on to earn over $10 million and became a leading sire.[23]
2022: McPeek purchased a yearling filly by Fast Anna for $40,000, later named Thorpedo Anna.Tejano Run Under his guidance, she went on to earn $1,980,663, with major victories including the Kentucky Oaks (G1), the Acorn Stakes (G1) and the Coaching Club American Oaks (G1).[24]
McPeek continues to apply the same principles at auctions, emphasizing the physical attributes of horses over pedigree. His strategy involves finding value in overlooked prospects, a method he likens to a chess match, ensuring a solid return on investment for his clients.[25]
Personal life
[edit]McPeek has been married twice. His first marriage was to Sue Lustig McPeek, with whom he has a daughter, Jenna McPeek. Jenna graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology and also majored in Equine Pre-veterinary studies. She was a member of the national championship-winning equestrian team at Otterbein.[26] McPeek's current wife, Sherri, is his primary partner in Magdalena Racing. They married on May 9, 2015, and have a daughter, Annie Franklin McPeek, who shares a love for horses and often helps pick names for McPeek's horses along with Sherri.
References
[edit]- ^ a b "Trainer Profile | Kenneth G. McPeek". www.equibase.com. Retrieved 10 May 2024.
- ^ Kane, Mike (16 July 2024). "Savvy Shopper McPeek Keeps Finding Top-Level Winners". Thoroughbred Daily News.
- ^ Reilly, Kellie (4 May 2024). "Mystik Dan wins 150th Kentucky Derby in three-way photo finish".
- ^ King, Byron (4 May 2024). "Mystik Dan Holds off Sierra Leone to Win Kentucky Derby". The Blood-Horse. Retrieved 4 May 2024.
- ^ Demling, Jody (4 May 2024). "Trainer Kenny McPeek called his shot - won both the Oaks and Derby". HTVMA Solutions, Inc. Retrieved 4 May 2024.
- ^ a b Perez, Joe (17 May 2024). "The Challenge of Winning a Personal Triple Crown". The Blood-Horse. Retrieved 17 May 2024.
- ^ a b Hersh, Marcus (5 June 2017). "McPeek not afraid to take a swing with Senior Investment". DRF. Retrieved 5 June 2017.
- ^ a b c Denk, Pete (22 February 2024). "McPeek Reaches Career Win 2,000, Reflects on Success". The Blood-Horse. Retrieved 10 May 2024.
- ^ a b c d e "Trainer Bios, Kenny McPeek". Keeneland Association, Inc.
- ^ a b c "Kenny McPeek | Keeneland". Keeneland. Archived from the original on 10 May 2024. Retrieved 10 May 2024.
- ^ a b c "Kenneth McPeek". The New York Racing Association.
- ^ Rampellini, Mary (21 February 2024). "McPeek's unintended career on cusp of 2,000 wins". Daily Racing Form. Retrieved 10 May 2024.
- ^ Russo, Nicole (14 September 2013). "Catching Up With Take Charge Lady: Grade 1 winner now a top-flight broodmare". Daily Racing Form. Retrieved 10 May 2024.
- ^ By (1990-11-18). "MAN WITH THE MAGIC NAME HAS HEAVY BURDEN: DEBT". Orlando Sentinel. Retrieved 2024-01-31.
- ^ By (1995-07-16). "WILLIAM DUPONT III, FROM HIGH FINANCE TO HIGH WEEDS". Orlando Sentinel. Retrieved 2024-01-31.
- ^ Chapman, Ric (23 February 2006). "Kenny McPeek to Return to Training". bloodhorse.com/. Blood-Horse. Retrieved 10 April 2015.
- ^ Yunt, Gary (28 May 2009). "Barn Notes (5.28.09) -- McPeek Celebrates 1,000th Win/Spinters Lead Way for Sizzling Calhoun/Mint Julep Nominations Out". Churchill Downs. Retrieved 10 May 2024.
- ^ "Horse Races NOW! App Launched". www.bloodhorse.com. Blood-Horse Publications. April 4, 2012. Retrieved 29 October 2014.
- ^ Kane, Mike (16 July 2024). "Savvy Shopper McPeek Keeps Finding Top-Level Winners". Thoroughbred Daily News.
- ^ Kane, Mike (16 July 2024). "Savvy Shopper McPeek Keeps Finding Top-Level Winners". Thoroughbred Daily News.
- ^ "Horse Profile".
- ^ Kane, Mike (16 July 2024). "Savvy Shopper McPeek Keeps Finding Top-Level Winners". Thoroughbred Daily News.
- ^ Kane, Mike (16 July 2024). "Savvy Shopper McPeek Keeps Finding Top-Level Winners". Thoroughbred Daily News.
- ^ "Horse Profile".
- ^ Kane, Mike (16 July 2024). "Savvy Shopper McPeek Keeps Finding Top-Level Winners". Thoroughbred Daily News.
- ^ Smith, K (9 May 2023). "Kenneth McPeek's Daughters: The Unique Perspective of Growing up in the Horse Racing World". Celebrity Mirror.