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Hall of Fame - Formidable Fager

Original article written by Nathan Klein posted 4 years 2 weeks ago

22 straight wins, now when you think of this achievement, most people think of the legendary Sidney who stayed undefeated in 22 starts on the turf. But not as many people know that another horse had set Sidney's record 4 years on the All-Weather surface. His name was Formidable Fager. From the get-go, All-Weather sprinting was in his blood. His father was a fellow Hall of Famer and All-Weather Champion Sprinter Seraph. So it was no surprise when in his first start he broke out quickly and went gate to wire.

Following this, he would repeat his luck multiple times with a nearly invincible racing strategy. Breaking out of the gate as fast as possible opening up a quick lead in the front of the pack and then hang on in the home stretch by a length or 2. He'd cruise through 3 different nongraded stakes races before going into his first graded stakes race in his 5th start. He goes to the front as usual and won but not without holding off a late charge from Last Rocket. To finish the year a perfect 6-6 he would go to the Grade 2 Baby Dash Stakes. He would have to rematch Last Rocket. This time he was able to break quicker and open up a wider margin early allowing Formidable Fager to hang on by 1 3/4 lengths over Last Rocket.

As a 3-year-old he continued to show absolute dominance over the All-Weather sprinting circuit. He was simply too fast, making sure he had just enough horse to keep a length away from any horse. After taking 3 nongraded stakes races he'd run his next 4 in graded stakes company. Other horses had begun to try other ways to run Formidable Fager down. In the Grade 3 Nachos Stakes, he'd get his first major speed challenge when Hate Mondays stayed only a length off Formidable Fager. But even with this new strategy, nothing changed he'd tire out Hate Mondays and still be able to hold off the late closers. He was now a perfect 12-12 so it was time to go bigger. He'd make his Grade 1 debut. In this race he'd have a new challenger a champion filly who had a winning streak of her own, Truly Emazing was her name. She was riding an 8 race streak and the two would finally be able to clash.

They were in the gate the two ready to end each others streaks. They were off, both had rough jumps out of the gate but after that, the two rushed to the front. Formidable Fager only gaining the lead by half a length. Both speeding down the track neck and neck. It was only until the third call that Formidable Fager was able to inch ahead Truly Emazing began to fade just slightly giving Formidable Fager just enough of a lead to hold off late closers and win his first Grade 1 race by 1 and 1/2 lengths. After that Formidable Fager made an effortless sweep of All-Weather Champion Three Year Old Male, All-Weather Champion Sprinter, All-Weather Horse of the Year.

Unsurprisingly he continued his winning streak into his 4-year-old season. Making easy wins in graded and non-graded stakes races. But finally at the end of the year, Formidable Fager would try another grade 1 race, and this time it would be his toughest challenge. The Stewards Cup Synthetic Sprint. They were off again Formidable Fager taking the lead as usual and trying to set a pace. But this time he'd be followed by Barrack Street. Desperate he tried to shake him off by opening up half a length on him. But in the home stretch, Barrack Street began to slowly shorten that lead stride by stride. The finish was getting closer and closer but so was Barrack Street and then, the two hit the wire together. Despite this Formidable Fager proved why he's known as Formidable as he had just barely held on to his waining lead just in time for the finish line. Winning the race by the smallest possible margin, a nose. It was no shock that he went on to win All-Weather Champion Older Male, and All Weather-Champion Sprinter that year.

As a 5-year old Formidable Fager took a big drop in class instead focusing on smaller races. The change fit him well as he would continue his gate to wire winning ways just as before. But he could only get in 4 races at the age of 5. Finally, he decided to run his final race, and what other way to finish then on top then to do what he had always done. Start first and finish first, taking the lead and holding a late charge from Hold On to Nothing. Finishing his career with a record that has only ever been equaled. remaining undefeated in 22 starts. Since then he has also been an influential sire for the All-Weather surface siring Fleet Baby Stakes Winner Formidable Geisha, Grade 3 winner, and Grade 1 placer Rubber Dance and having total progeny earnings of over $16 million. Throughout his life, Formidable Fager has proven that his name is nothing but the truth. He's Formidable and able to stay unbeaten in 22 starts and he has a lovely Fager.


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