Champion Connections: Essential Quality
Kentucky is known as the Horse Capital of the World for a number of reasons – we raise, race and care for some of the best horses here in the Bluegrass.
These experiences are a recommendation of ways to dive deeper into the life cycle of some of the fan favorites that call the Bluegrass home. Suggested tours might visit a place where a horse was raised, sold, raced or currently resides, along with other suggestions involving their racing rivals or family members.
Please note that all tours have to be booked separately, and we cannot guarantee any particular horse on any particular tour. All showings are made based upon the health and daily schedule of the equine residents
Horse Country Champion Connections: Essential Quality
Bred and raised right here in Horse Country, Essential Quality earned over $4.7 million in 10 starts during his two season racing career.
Learn more about Essential Quality’s journey from foaling barn to finish line, and beyond.
Gainsborough Farm – Home of Delightful Quality
Essential Quality was born and raised at Godolphin’s Jonabell Farm in Lexington. While Jonabell is no longer home to mares and foals, you can visit Gainsborough Farm to see where his mother Delightful Quality now resides.
Visit Gainsborough Farm to meet some of the mares and foals owned by Godolphin, you might even get to see Delightful Quality and one of Essential Quality’s siblings!
Gainesway Farm – Home of Tapit
Essential Quality is one of many top level race horses sired by champion stallion Tapit, who stands at Gainesway Farm. Gainesway is known for its elite stallion roster, as well as the architecture and scenery of its stunning stallion complex, making this a must-see farm.
Visit Gainesway Farm for the chance to see Tapit, as well as one of his other Belmont Stakes-winning sons, Tapwrit!
Keeneland – 2020 Breeders’ Cup and more
Essential Quality raced at Keeneland three times in his career – making a trip to the winner’s circle each time. His first victory at the historic track came in the G1 Breeders’ Futurity, before he secured the title of champion two year old colt with a strong victory in the G1 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile. As a three year old, he used the G1 Blue Grass Stakes as a stepping stone to his fourth place finish in the G1 Kentucky Derby.
Learn more about the racing and training that takes place at Keeneland on a tour of the track. The Road to the Breeders’ Cup experience, offered exclusively in October 2022, provides a unique look at the ways in which both the racecourse itself and the horses prepare for such a large event!
Jonabell Farm – Stallion Duty
After a successful racing career that included four grade one victories and two Eclipse champion titles, Essential Quality retired to stud at Godolphin’s Jonabell Farm. He stands alongside three other Breeders’ Cup Juvenile winners – Midshipman, Street Sense, and Nyquist!
Learn more about Essential Quality’s race record and stud career on a tour of Godolphin’s Jonabell Farm.
