Private Creed Repeats As Aiken-Trained Horse Of The Year In 2023

The 4-year-old son of Jimmy Creed became the fourth horse to earn the honor in multiple seasons, joining Quality Road (2009 and 2010), Palace Malice (2013 and 2014), and Curalina (2015 and 2016). Private Creed was first given the honor during his 2-year-old season in 2022, and followed up with his sophomore campaign last year.

The winner is decided by the Aiken Thoroughbred Racing Hall of Fame and Museum’s advisory board. To qualify, candidates must have trained in Aiken, S.C., and won at least one graded stakes race during the year or compiled earnings in excess of $500,000.

Private Creed was purchased by Aiken-based Marcus and Crystal Ryan’s Mason Springs for $45,000 at the 2021 Keeneland September Yearling Sale, and after receiving his initial training in South Carolina, the colt sold to owner Mike McCarthy for $155,000 at the following year’s Fasig-Tipton Midlantic 2-Year-Olds in Training Sale.

The colt was placed in the barn of trainer Steve Asmussen, for whom he has won five of 12 starts and earned $1,329,166.

In 2023, Private Creed won two of seven starts. His campaign began with a runner-up effort in the Bob Bork Texas Turf Mile Stakes at Sam Houston Race Park, and after a brief detour to test the Kentucky Derby trail in the Grade 2 Risen Star Stakes, he returned to the turf for the remainder of the season.

Private Creed picked up steam once again in the summer, running second in the listed Mahony Stakes at Saratoga Race Course, then finishing the season with wins in the G2 Franklin-Simpson Stakes at Kentucky Downs and a Churchill Downs allowance.