Definition of AUTHENTIC: “Of undisputed origin; genuine; real, true.” What better name could there be for a pedigreed Thoroughbred racehorse who proved he was genuinely talented on the track?
Foaled on May 5, 2017, the bay colt with the wide blaze was out of the mare Flawless, who hails from the Mr. Prospector sire line by way of Secrettame, the daughter of the immortal Secretariat. Authentic’s sire, Into Mischief, also traces his lineage to Secretariat via his great-grandsire Storm Cat. For an extra dose of good racing genes, Triple Crown winner Affirmed appears on the chart on his sire’s side. Thoroughbreds don’t come more royally-bred than Authentic and he more than lived up to his pedigree!
From the beginning Authentic was an impressive youngster. “A very athletic mover, fast-looking, with the size and scope to carry his speed” was how his initial purchaser described the yearling horse in 2018 when he sold for $350,000 at the Keeneland September Thoroughbred Sale. When Authentic first hit the track his connections were thrilled with his win in his very first race as a 2-year-old. He continued his 3-year-old year in fine style, undefeated in his first two races of the year.
The 146th running of the Kentucky Derby was postponed until September 2020 thanks to the global pandemic. Despite the altered schedule Authentic did well in his remaining Derby prep races, winning the Grade II San Felipe and Grade I Haskell Stakes, and went into the gates at Churchill Downs the second-favorite behind rival Tiz the Law. He drew the very outside post position, 18. Famed jockey John Velasquez was in the irons for Authentic. Many were not convinced, though, that the colt could sustain his run for a mile and a quarter – especially from such a poor starting position.
Authentic more than proved himself. A furious homestretch battle between him and Tiz the Law resulted, with the son of Into Mischief responding to the challenge and not only pulling ahead to win by 1 1/4 lengths but doing so in the seventh-fastest time ever recorded for the Kentucky Derby. It may have been a strange date for the Derby to be held, a tiny crowd, and a slightly smaller field of racehorses than usual but Authentic’s achievement was no less prestigious. With the win his jockey “Johnny V” also had his third Kentucky Derby and cemented his place as one of the top jockeys of all time.
Authentic rounded out his racing career with a win in the 2020 Breeder’s Cup Classic, making him only the fourth horse in history to win both of America’s biggest races. The field was widely considered one of the deepest of all time, with Tiz the Law participating along with numerous Grade I-winning older horses. Authentic went off as the third-favorite but drew away handily to win in race and track-record time for the mile and a quarter. Following the Classic, the horse was voted American Champion Three-Year-Old Male Horse and American Horse of the Year. Authentic also won the 2020 Secretariat Vox Populi Award, chosen by votes from the general public. The award recognizes “the horse whose popularity and racing excellence best resounded with the American public and gained recognition for Thoroughbred racing.”
Authentic was retired following his Breeder’s Cup Classic victory and is standing stud at Spendthrift Farm in Lexington, KY for an introductory fee of $75,000. His sire Into Mischief lives in a nearby stall so perhaps the two Thoroughbreds swap stories of racing glory after the lights are out…
Jane Heart Jewelry is extremely proud to bring the only licensed jewelry of Authentic to racing fans and horse-lovers. Two designs have been created, showing the horse either in the paddock or racing for one of his many wins. Jane Heart herself has a special connection to Authentic: she is a micro-share owner via the MyRaceHorse group, which is a part-owner of Authentic! Authentic’s portraits are available as pendants or brooches in hand-cast and polished solid sterling silver. Now at stud at Spendthrift Farm in Lexington, KY, Authentic is enjoying the visits of many fans and pedigreed mares alike.
The Authentic portrait jewelry joins Jane Heart’s Famous Racehorses Collection of other exclusive licensed Thoroughbred designs including Derby winners Secretariat, Barbaro, American Pharoah and Justify, and the magnificent Man o’ War. These pieces truly capture the unique “look” of each horse in exquisite detail. Jane Heart strives to bring the highest level of authenticity to all her horse jewelry, and Authentic and the other racehorses represent the very best of her talent and love of horses.