PINE MOUNTAIN, Ga.--Keri Brion saddled two winners at the Steeplechase at Callaway Gardens on Saturday, Nov. 15, including Swore in the Novice Stakes..

Swore winning the Lonesome Glory (Photo by NYRA)Stone Farm's Swore, ridden by Stephen Mulqueen, won the $75,000, 2 3/8 mile Sport of Kings Novice Hurdle Stakes by 5 3/4 lengths in 4:12 over Two Past Eight (GB), trained by Leslie Young, and King of the Kids, trained by Cyril Murphy,

"He's a big horse with a big, massive stride," said Mulqueen. "I was sitting against him all the way."He's only had a few runs over fences. His jumping was electric."

Swore led from the start over Two Past Eight and shook clear after the last fence to win comfortably.

"I've thought very highly of this horse from the beginning," said Brion. "He was trained on the flat by Graham Motion."

"As I was beginning as a trainer, I had The Mean Queen," said Brion of her Eclipse Award winning mare. "I've been looking for my next big horse ever since."

 

"HIS FIRST time out as a jumper, we just gave him a school around," she said. "He won next time out. The horse you saw today is the horse we have. I'm looking forward to next year. The Iroquois is our near future goal. We'll try to get an Eclipse Award for his owner."

Since he started over fences  earlier this year, Swore has placed second in his maiden race over fences and then won three, including the G1 Lonesome Glory Stakes, from five starts.

He was pulled up in the Grand National.

Bred by Stone Farm, Swore, 6, by Broken Vow out of a Ghostzapper mare, was previously trained by Graham Motion, running in allowance and stakes races with one third place finish after winning as a maiden.

Brion also saddled Devon Smith's Fouroneohsmokeshow, ridden by Mulqueen,, to win the $25,000 Maiden Claiming Hurdle by 6 1/2 lengths in 4:19 2/5 over Big George,, trained by Jack Fisher, and That's Not Funny, trained by Neil Morris,

"In the past his jumping at times has been questionable," said Mulqueen of the 4-year-old. "He ran great today, He's only a young horse. He has his own way of doing things, but he's learning."

"This horse is still immature," said Brion. "He was very workmanlike today. He didn't miss a fence. He's put in a clunker (fence) in past races. Today was a big step forward."

Tom Garner saddled Maranto Manor's Lyford (GB ), ridden by Evan Dwan, to win the $30,000 Ratings Handicap Hurdle by 1 1/4 lengths in 4:15 4/5 over Bright Eyed Eagle (Ire), trained by Kathy Neilson, and Anador (Fr), trained by Todd McKenna.

"I bought this horse four years ago as a 4-year-old," said Garner. "He's had his problems, but we've been patient with him. He had ankle surgery. Then two weeks ago he got an abscess in his foot. But when I saw the entries here, I thought we'd try with him. He likes this track. He's a joy to be around."

Commonwealth Racing's Philip My Dear, trained by Neilson and ridden by Freddie Procter, won the $30,000 Maiden Hurdle by a neck in 4:15 2/5 over Yes Sir Jack (GB), trained by Young, and Arturo Toscanini, trained by Brion.

Philip My Dear led all the way and held on for the win for Neilson,who wasn't at the meet.

"It wasn't our plan to be in front originally," said Procter. "He jumped brilliantly."

Morris saddled Dr. William Russell's Animal Kingston to win the $20,000, 3 12 mile   Steeplethon by 2 lengths over Crealion (Fr), trained by Garner, and Anzio, trained by Sandra Webb.

The five horses ran in a tight pack throughout the race, with Animal Kingdom getting up after the last fence for the win.