LEXINGTON, Ky. (Nov. 20, 2023) — Two-time champion sprint winner Roy H joins the Kentucky Horse Park’s Hall of Champions Barn located in Lexington. “Roy H had an outstanding racing career and having him join the Hall of Champions allows us to celebrate his many racing accomplishments,” said Lee Carter, Kentucky Horse Park President. “He joins a long list of champion Thoroughbreds who have resided at the park, and we are thankful to Peter Miller for allowing us to share his story. Any fan of horse racing will enjoy the opportunity to meet Roy H.”
The son of More Than Ready–Elusive Diva, by Elusive Quality, was bred in Kentucky by Ramona Bass. Although Roy H began his racing career in 2015 as a three-year-old with trainer Peter Miller, it wasn’t until 2017 that he made his mark as a champion sprinter. His first stakes win came in the True North Stakes (G2) at Belmont Park. He followed this with winning the Santa Anita Sprint Championship Stakes (G1) at Santa Anita Park. The culmination of his 2017 season was a length victory in the Breeders’ Cup Sprint (G1) at Del Mar. For his accomplishments, he was named Champion Male Sprinter in 2017. His 2018 season was in many ways a duplication of 2017, featuring wins in the Santa Anita Sprint Championship Stakes (G1) and the Breeders’ Cup Sprint (G1), this time by 3 ¼ lengths at Churchill Downs. He again took the top prize for male sprinter at the Eclipse Awards.
Owned by Rockingham Ranch and David Bernsen, Roy H’s career included 23 starts with a 10-5-2 record. He retired from racing in 2019 as a seven-time stakes winner with $3,139,765 in earnings. He then worked as a barn pony for Peter Miller, who became his owner. “Roy H was a once-in-a-lifetime horse,” says Miller. “He was the best sprinter of his generation, winning back-to-back Breeders’ Cup Sprints and Eclipse Awards. He was a joy to train and be around–all class, all the time. I look forward to visiting him at the Kentucky Horse Park.”
The dual champion horse becomes the first Thoroughbred to join the prestigious barn since the passing of Funny Cide, Point Given and Go For Gin. Roy H will reside at the Hall of Champions barn with Standardbred Pacers Western Dreamer and Won The West, and Standardbred Trotters Mr. Muscleman and Marion Marauder.