A Royal Winner

by Stephanie Elgin

Never did they imagine they would own a horse that would run in the Royal Ascot in England, let alone make history and win the race.  But indeed it happened.  And for Santa Clarita residents Jennifer and Bob Abrams, it was a dream unexpected, but a dream come true.
“Jennifer and I, along with Wesley Ward and Mitch Dutko, acquired Jealous Again in Ocala, Florida, when she was a yearling,” stated Bob.  “But we knew there was something special about her from the very start.  So we wanted to give her a classy name.  Mix a little bit of her family tree with a famous stallion named Awesome Again, and we got her name….Jealous Again.”
On June 17 of last year, bay Trippi filly, Jealous Again, took command and became the first American-bred and trained filly to win a graded stakes race at Royal Ascot in Ascot, England, beating her British competitors.  Jealous Again won by an astounding five lengths, taking the crown for the Queen Mary Stakes.
Trained by American Wesley Ward, and ridden by American jockey, John Velazquez, Jealous Again overpowered the competition.    
How did Jealous Again make her way to England?  “It was actually economically convenient for Jealous Again to be invited,” stated Jennifer.   “When horses are sent overseas, they travel in palettes of three.  The racehorse, Cannonball, was traveling to England, so trainer Wesley Ward decided to bring Jealous Again.  A total of six horses ended up traveling.”  Cannonball, along with Jealous Again, Strike the Tiger, Yogaroo, Aegean and Honor in Peace made their journey to England.  And while Strike the Tiger took the Windsor Castle Stakes, it was the two-year-old filly named Jealous Again, who claimed an even bigger Ascot victory-winning the Queen Mary Stakes. “I am usually nervous on the day of the race,” stated Bob, “but this time, I was confident.  I knew she was training excessively and was ready for this race.  I knew the other horses would have to beat her, because Jealous Again wasn’t going to beat herself.”  And Jealous Again took the crown and surprised the British audience.
The Royal Ascot meet, a major event in the British social calendar, dates back to the early 1700’s and is one of the world’s most famous race meetings with over 500,000 people making their annual visit during the meet.  Located in Ascot, Berkshire, the course is approximately six miles from Windsor Castle, and is closely associated with the British Royal Family.   The Royal Meeting is held in June, with the most prestigious race, the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes taking place in July.  
Every year, dating back to 1711, the Queen attends the meeting, arriving in a beautiful horse-drawn carriage.  Within the Royal Enclosure, there is a strict dress code as male attendees must wear full morning dress, complete with top hat, while the ladies must be adorned in hats.    “It was a beautiful day,” stated Bob and Jennifer.  “It was surrealistic to be there and to have our horse, Jealous Again, make history and win.”