Vae Patron won the Novice Stakes at Callaway for Keri Brion

Details: November 9, 2026; By SARA CAVANAGH

PINE MOUNTAIN, Ga.--Vae Patron (Fr), trained by Keri Brion, won the $75,000, 2 3/8 mile Aflak Supreme Novice Hrdle Stakes at Callaway Garden on Saturday, Nov. 7.

Vae Patron from Keri Brion Vae Patron (Photo
by an owner courtesy of Keri Brion)Owned by Leipers Fork Steeplechase and ridden by Stephen Mulqueen, Vae Patron won the a neck over Gettleman, trained by Jack Fisher, and Philip My Dear, trained by Kathy Neilson.

"Vae Patron was moved to me last spring," said Brion. "Just like Rampoldi Plan, who won last week, he had to have ankle surgery. The Champion Hurdle at Far Hills was his first race back after the surgery. He ran third in a very tough race there against top horses. He's run so many good races against top horses, but actually he's never won a race in this country, so he's eligible as a novice."

"The plan was jjust to get him a win," said Brion. "So, mission accomplished. He's a really nice horse, and I'm grateful to the owners to have him. He'll get some time off now, and, God willing, he'll run at Iroquios next spring."

HE'S A PLEASURE to ride," said Mulqueen. "I let him jump out at the start and run at his own pace. It was great to see him running on the front end with his ears pricked."

"All he does is keep galloping, so when Gettleman came to me, when we hit the rising ground I knew we'd win it," said Mulqueen.

This was Brion's second straight win in this Stakes, having won it last year with Swope.

Vienna Storm (GB), owned by Bruton Street-US, trained by Fisher and ridden by Jamie Bargary, won the $40,000 Blade and Bow Maiden Hurdle by 8 1/4 lengths over Iconic Walk (Ire), trained by Leslie Young, and Primed To Go, trained by Neil Morris.

Morris had two winners at Callaway, winning the $30,000 W.C. Bradley Steeplethon with Shannon Hill Farm's Evie's Prince, ridden by Bernie Dalton.

Evie's Prince won by 3 lengths over Track and Trace (Ire), trained by Mark Beecher, and Total Joy (Ire), trained by Young.

Pathfinder Racing's Modern Master won the $30,000 Optional Maiden Starter /Maiden Claiming Hurdle in a two horse race by 3 3/4 lengths over Coal Boss, trained by Kate Dalton.