Rhetorical (USA) (foaled 3 March 2021) is an active American-bred thoroughbred racehorse. Known for winning back-to-back Coolmore Turf Mile Stakes and 2026 Turf Classic Stakes.
Background Rhetorical is a Gelding owned by Barber, Gary, Cheyenne Stable, LLC and Wachtel Stable. Ridden by Irad Ortiz Jr. and trained by William Walden. He was sired by the stallion Not This Time out of the dam Sheet Humor.
Racing Careers 2024 three-year-old season Rhetorical won his career debut at Saratoga Racetrack on 26 July by 5 lengths. He then race an Allowance race at Saratoga Racetrack on 24 August as his final race in 2024 finished third.
2025 four-year-old season Rhetorical first race in 2025 was an Allowance on 18 May at Aqueduct Racetrack, won the race by 5 lengths. He then won again on 19 July at Saratoga Racetrack. On 25 August at Saratoga, Rhetorical entered and won his first stakes race the West Point Stakes.
On 4 October, Rhetorical then stepped up and entered the Gr.1 Coolmore Turf Mile Stakes at Keeneland racetrack, ridden by Irad Ortiz Jr. After the gate opened, he was settled fourth on the inside, on final turn he then moved to outside and at the home straight chased the leader Quatrocento, he passed the leader on the final furlong and hold the led from the incoming Program Trading, won his first Gr.1 race. The race was part of the Breeder's Cup "Win and You’re In". Rhetorical then start his last race on the season at the Breeders' Cup Mile on 1 November, after earned the "Win and You’re In", but finished in fourth to the winner Godolphin horse Notable Speech.
2026 five-year-old season Rhetorical start his 2026 entered the Gr.1 Maker's Mark Mile Stakes on 10 April at Keeneland racetrack. He was positioned in middle pack most of the time, he then took second place from Aomori City at home straight and chased the leader Zulu Kingdom, however the leader already lengthening his led, less than 100m One Stripe took the second place and Rhetorical finished third.
On 2 May, Rhetorical entered the Gr.1 Old Forester Turf Classic. After gate opened, he moved to the front and led the race, on the home straight he then lengthening his led until finish post and won the race by lengths from gate-to-wire.
Racing Statistics Date Distance Race Grade Track Field Finish WinningTime Winning(Losing)Horse Jockey Ref2024 three-year-old seasonJul 261 milesMaiden Special WeightSaratoga101:35.85(Sebastianthe First)Irad Ortiz Jr.24 Aug milesAllowanceSaratoga111:42.94Clear ConscienceIrad Ortiz Jr.2025 four-year-old season18 May milesAllowanceAqueduct111:41.13(Fidelightcayut)Irad Ortiz Jr.19 Jul milesAllowance Optional ClaimingSaratoga61:41.41(Activist Investing)Manuel Franco24 Aug milesWest Point StakesBTSaratoga61:39.71(Bettrluckythangood)Irad Ortiz Jr.04 Oct1 milesCoolmore Turf Mile StakesG1Keeneland111:33.61(Program Trading)Irad Ortiz Jr.01 Nov1 milesBreeders' Cup MileG1Del Mar134th1:33.66Notable SpeechIrad Ortiz Jr.2026 five-year-old season10 Apr1 milesMaker's Mark Mile StakesG1Keeneland71:34.90Zulu KingdomIrad Ortiz Jr.02 May milesTurf Classic StakesG1Churchill Downs91:45.96(Make Me King)Irad Ortiz Jr.06 Jun milesManhattan StakesG1Saratoga94th1:50.50DeterministicIrad Ortiz Jr.08 Aug1 milesFourstardave StakesG1Saratoga64th1:35.07DeterministicManuel Franco03 Oct1 milesCoolmore Turf Mile StakesG1Keeneland111:36.35(Lake Forest)Irad Ortiz Jr.
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