Far Bridge

Far Bridge won his maiden at first asking in a 3-year-old maiden race at Gulfstream Park Jan. 21, 2023, winning by a head going 1 1/16 miles on the turf. He quickly added a second career win in his second start in a Gulfstream Park allowance race back at 1 1/16 miles on the grass on March 11.

It wouldn't be long until Far Bridge tackled stakes competition, and although winless in his first two attempts, Fair Bridge did make a strong positive impression in a pair of runner-up finishes, first in the Grade 2 American Turf Stakes at Churchill Downs on May 6 and then in the Grade 2 Pennine Ridge Stakes at Belmont Park on June 3.

The stakes breakthrough for Far Bridge would come in a big way in his next outing which came in the Grade 1 $750,000 Belmont Derby Invitational on July 8.  Sent off as the 3.35-1 second choice in a loaded 11-horse field in the Belmont Derby, Far Bridge raced in the rear half of the field throughout and then passed much of the field with a brilliant rail move into the stretch by jockey Jose Ortiz. Far Bridge continued his rally through the stretch run to catch the leaders and score a one-length victory in a winning 1 1/4-mile time of 2:01.75.

Far Bridge subsequently finished third in the Saratoga Derby Invitational Stakes in August and the second by a half-length in the National Thoroughbred League Dueling Grounds Derby at Kentucky Downs in September.

Transferred from Todd Pletcher to trainer Christophe Clement for his 4-year-old season, Far Bridge opened 2024 with a victory in an allowance-optional claiming race at Gulfstream Park March 31.

Unplaced in the Old Forester Bourbon Turf Classic Stakes in May, Far Bridge followed with a third in the Resorts World Casino Manhattan Stakes June 8 at Saratoga. He next was unplaced in the United Nations Stakes at Monmouth Park.

Far Bridge regained his best form Aug. 24 in the Resorts World Casino Sword Dancer Stakes at Saratoga, where he set a measured pace and then turned away a bid from odds-on favorite Measured Time to earn a hard-fought victory in the Breeders’ Cup “Win and You’re In” Challenge Series race to secure a spot in the Longines Breeders’ Cup Turf Nov. 2 at Del Mar.

Following that start, Far Bridge made his final Breeders’ Cup prep in the Grade 1 Joe Hirsch Turf Classic Stakes at Aqueduct Sept. 28 during the Belmont at the Big A meet. He competed against a small but competitive field led by the mare War Like Goddess, who was attempting to win the race for the third year in a row. Far Bridge settled off of the pace in the 1 ½-mile Joe Hirsch under Joel Rosario and then moved to the inside in early stretch on a turf course rated as good. Under strong urging, Far Bridge rallied past War Like Goddess in the final yards to prevail by a half-length and secure his second top-level win in a row.

Far Bridge was bred in Kentucky and is by the sire English Channel out of the mare Fitpitcher, by Kitten's Joy.