Rhetorical (horse)

Rhetorical
SireNot This Time
GrandsireGiant's Causeway
DamSheet Humor
DamsireDistorted Humor
SexGelding
Foaled (2021-03-03) March 3, 2021
CountryUnited States
ColourDark Bay, Brown
BreederMallory Mort & Karen Mort [1]
OwnerBarber, Gary, Cheyenne Stable, LLC and Wachtel Stable [1]
TrainerWilliam Walden[1][2]
Record9: 6 - 0 - 2[1]
EarningsUS$1,806,730[1]
Major wins
Coolmore Turf Mile Stakes (2025)
Turf Classic Stakes (2026)

Rhetorical (USA) (foaled 3 March 2021) is an active American-bred thoroughbred racehorse. Known for winning the 2025 Coolmore Turf Mile Stakes and 2026 Turf Classic Stakes.

Background

Rhetorical is a Gelding owned by Barber, Gary, Cheyenne Stable, LLC and Wachtel Stable. Ridden by Irad Ortiz Jr. and trained by William Walden. He was sired by the stallion Not This Time out of the dam Sheet Humor.[1]

Racing Careers

2024 three-year-old season

Rhetorical won his career debut at Saratoga Racetrack on 26 July by 5 lengths.[3] He then race an Allowance race at Saratoga Racetrack on 24 August as his final race in 2024 finished third.[4]

2025 four-year-old season

Rhetorical first race in 2025 was an Allowance on 18 May at Aqueduct Racetrack, won the race by 5 lengths.[5] He then won again on 19 July at Saratoga Racetrack.[6] On 25 August at Saratoga, Rhetorical entered and won his first stakes race the West Point Stakes.[7]

On 4 October, Rhetorical then stepped up and entered the Gr.1 Coolmore Turf Mile Stakes at Keeneland racetrack, ridden by Irad Ortiz Jr. After the gate opened, he was settled fourth on the inside, on final turn he then moved to outside and at the home straight chased the leader Quatrocento, he passed the leader on the final furlong and hold the led from the incoming Program Trading, won his first Gr.1 race.[8] The race was part of the Breeder's Cup "Win and You’re In". Rhetorical then start his last race on the season at the Breeders' Cup Mile on 1 November, after earned the "Win and You’re In", but finished in fourth to the winner Godolphin horse Notable Speech.[9]

2026 five-year-old season

Rhetorical start his 2026 entered the Gr.1 Maker's Mark Mile Stakes on 10 April at Keeneland racetrack. He was positioned in middle pack most of the time, he then took second place from Aomori City at home straight and chased the leader Zulu Kingdom, however the leader already lengthening his led, less than 100m One Stripe took the second place and Rhetorical finished third.[10]

On 2 May, Rhetorical entered the Gr.1 Old Forester Turf Classic. After gate opened, he moved to the front and led the race, on the home straight he then lengthening his led until finish post and won the race by 3+1⁄4 lengths from gate-to-wire.[11]

Racing Statistics

Date Distance Race Grade Track Field Finish Winning
Time [a]		 Winning
(Losing)
Horse		 Jockey Ref
2024 three-year-old season
Jul 26 1 miles Maiden Special Weight Saratoga 10 1st 1:35.85 (Sebastianthe First) Irad Ortiz Jr. [3]
24 Aug 1+1⁄16 miles Allowance Saratoga 11 3rd 1:42.94 Clear Conscience Irad Ortiz Jr. [4]
2025 four-year-old season
18 May 1+1⁄16 miles Allowance Aqueduct 11 1st 1:41.13 (Fidelightcayut) Irad Ortiz Jr. [5]
19 Jul 1+1⁄16 miles Allowance Optional Claiming Saratoga 6 1st 1:41.41 (Activist Investing) Manuel Franco [6]
24 Aug 1+1⁄16 miles West Point Stakes BT Saratoga 6 1st 1:39.71 (Bettrluckythangood) Irad Ortiz Jr. [12]
04 Oct 1 miles Coolmore Turf Mile Stakes G1 Keneeland 11 1st 1:33.61 (Program Trading) Irad Ortiz Jr. [13]
01 Nov 1 miles Breeders' Cup Mile G1 Del Mar 13 4th 1:33.66 Notable Speech Irad Ortiz Jr. [14]
2026 five-year-old season
10 Apr 1 miles Maker's Mark Mile Stakes G1 Keneeland 7 3rd 1:34.90 Zulu Kingdom Irad Ortiz Jr. [15]
02 May 1+1⁄8 miles Turf Classic Stakes G1 Churchill Downs 9 1st 1:45.96 (Make Me King) Irad Ortiz Jr. [16]
06 Jun 1+3⁄16 miles Manhattan Stakes G1 Saratoga 9 4th 1:50.50 Deterministic Irad Ortiz Jr. [17]
08 Aug 1 miles Fourstardave Stakes G1 Saratoga 6 4th 1:35.07 Deterministic Manuel Franco [18]

Notes:

  1. ↑ Official time of winning horse. The time written in Italics doesn't belong to Rhetorical.

Pedigree

Pedigree of Rhetorical (USA), dark bay / brown gelding 2021[19]
Sire
Not This Time (USA)
2014		 Giants Causeway (USA)
1997		 Storm Cat Storm Bird
Terlingua
Mariah's Storm Rahy
Immense
Miss Macy Sue (USA)
1993		 Trippi End Sweep
Jealous Appeal
Yada Yada Great Above
Stem
Dam
Sheet Humor (USA)
2011		 Distorted Humor
1993		 Forty Niner Mr. Prospector
File
Danzigs Beauty Danzig
Sweetest Chant
Sheets
2004		 Scatmandu Storm Cat
Princess Alydar
One Hot Minute Relaunch
Hot Love (Family: 23-b)

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 "Profile of Rhetorical (USA)". www.equibase.com. Retrieved 4 June 2026.
  2. ↑ "William Walden Profile". www.americasbestracing.net. Retrieved 4 June 2026.
  3. 1 2 "Saratoga 26 July R10 result". equibase.com. Retrieved 4 June 2026.
  4. 1 2 "Saratoga 24 August 2024 R8 result". equibase.com. Retrieved 4 June 2026.
  5. 1 2 "Aqueduct 18 May R8 result". equibase.com. Retrieved 4 June 2026.
  6. 1 2 "Saratoga 19 July R5 result". equibase.com. Retrieved 4 June 2026.
  7. ↑ "Rhetorical dominates West Point in stakes debut". www.nytbreeders.org. 24 August 2025. Retrieved 4 June 2026.
  8. ↑ "Rhetorical Delivers Life-Changing Win in the Coolmore Turf Mile". turfdiario.com. 6 October 2025. Retrieved 4 June 2026.
  9. ↑ "Notable Speech Surges to Breeders' Cup Mile Win". bloodhorse.com. Retrieved 4 June 2026.
  10. ↑ "Zulu Kingdom Upsets Maker's Mark Mile". www.truenicks.com. Retrieved 4 June 2026.
  11. ↑ "Rhetorical Romps in Turf Classic Stakes". bloodhorse.com. 2 May 2026. Retrieved 4 June 2026.
  12. ↑ "Saratoga 24 Aug R8 result". racingpost.com. Retrieved 5 June 2026.
  13. ↑ "2025 Coolmore Turf Mile Stakes result". racingpost.com. Retrieved 5 June 2026.
  14. ↑ "2025 Breeder's Cup Mile result". racingpost.com. Retrieved 5 June 2026.
  15. ↑ "2026 Maker's Mark Mile Stakes result". racingpost.com. Retrieved 5 June 2026.
  16. ↑ "2026 Old Forester Turf Classic Stakes result". racingpost.com. Retrieved 5 June 2026.
  17. ↑ "Saratoga 6 June R12 result". Retrieved 7 June 2026.
  18. ↑ "2026 Fourstardave Stakes G1". Retrieved 9 Aug 2026.
  19. ↑ "Rhetorical (USA) Pedigree". www.pedigreequery.com. Retrieved 5 June 2026.
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