Authentic’s connections celebrate his remarkable KY Derby (G1)

When Authentic crossed the wire first in Saturday’s $3 million Kentucky Derby (G1), the victory was an historic achievement for his owners Spendthrift Farm, MyRaceHorse Stable, Madaket Stables, and Starlight Racing; Spendthrift’s flagship sire Into Mischief, and their Hall of Fame trainer Bob Baffert.

For Baffert, he has now won six Derbies, tying him with the great Ben Jones of Calumet Farm, but for Authentic’s owners and his sire, this was their first Derby win.

In the post-race news conference, Baffert took time to thank Spendthrift owner B. Wayne Hughes for his contribution to the sport.

“By the way, I want to say something about Wayne Hughes,” said Baffert. “He has so much passion for the horse business, what he does, and letting Myhorseracing come in and everybody buying shares.”

Wayne Hughes, what he has done at Spendthrift Farm, it’s amazing. And I’ve known Wayne forever. And I told him back ‑‑ I told him back in early January, I told his daughter, I said, You know what? I’m going to win the Derby for your dad. But I thought it was going to be Thousand Words.”

Baffert was also asked about jockey John Velazquez wearing the MyRaceHorse silks rather than the Spendthrift colors.

“Wayne Hughes, the gentleman that he is, he probably said ‘eh.’ Wayne is just ‑‑ he’s a gentleman. He’s a classy guy. I am so happy for him because he’s been in this game so long and everybody ‑‑ he deserves to win this race. I feel prouder ‑‑ to me, I feel, like, prouder to win it for him, that he can say he won the Kentucky Derby now ‑‑ especially when you live in Kentucky.”

Spendthrift president Eric Gustavson and general manager were also at Churchill Downs for the race.

Gustavson commented on what the win means for the farm. “I mean, it’s ‑‑ the fact that we own the horse, and then we own the stallion, who’s the best stallion in America ‑‑ and now he’s even more the best stallion in America, I don’t know. I mean, it’s ‑‑We are so blessed. I will tell you that. We’re very, very thankful.”

Toffey reflected on his long his with Spendthrift

“I’ve been with Mr. Hughes and been with the farm for 16 years now. And I was really appreciative. Always been appreciative of the shot he gave me to come with him over to Spendthrift. And we started off with one stallion and about 30 mares. And we now are spanning two continents and the largest stud farm in North America, and stood the leading sire in North America last year, Into Mischief.

“So it’s been very gratifying, one, to be part of a really wonderful team and rebuilding Spendthrift, just a historic place.”

Gustavson also reflected on partnering with the other owners and the innovation of MyRaceHorse.

“We are honored to be partners with Myracehorse and with Jack [Wolf] and Starlight [Racing] and Madaket [Stables]. We are just proud to be associated with those guys.

“Early on with Myracehorse, which was started by Michael Behrens, Wayne really took to the idea of being able to bring horse ownership to every man, literally every man and woman, any economic stratus, race, anything. There’s no limit because anyone, literally anyone, can buy in. And he loved that idea. He’s not only a businessman, but he’s just a real advocate for racing. And he wants to help racing grow.”