Great White, trained by John Ennis and owned by Three Chimneys Farm, is making a notable attempt at Saturday’s $2 million Middle Jewel of the Triple Crown at Laurel Park, seeking to become just the eighth gelding to win the Preakness Stakes. This race, steeped in history, marks an important milestone for the four-year-old son of Volatile.
The decision to geld Great White before his racing career was purely practical, driven by his immense size. As trainer John Ennis explained, “He was just getting heavy,” and gelding him kept the horse lighter and more manageable, preventing potential health issues and ensuring he remains sound. “It’s hard to keep those horses super sound when they’re that heavy,” Ennis added, emphasizing that the horse was simply too big to race as a colt.
Bred by Stud TNT in Brazil and developed by Three Chimneys, Great White’s lineage contributes significantly to his imposing stature. His connections, including his owners and trainer, believe the decision to geld him was the smart move, potentially allowing him more years to compete and enhancing the value of his influential sire Volatile and dam Kelly Bag if he achieves success. Racing in Saratoga County, home to Volatile’s Grade 1 win, adds a local angle to this exciting prospect.