Confessional was impressive on debut at Keeneland on Thursday, October 16, winning a seven-furlong maiden special weight contest to become the tenth winner for his freshman sire, Essential Quality.
Breaking sharply under jockey Axel Concepcion, the grey colt settled in fourth just behind the leaders down the backstretch before making a move in between horses around the turn. He took command at the top of the stretch and pulled away to win by three lengths for trainer Brad Cox and owner Steve Landers Racing LLC.
Bred in Kentucky by Breed First LLC, Confessional is out of the winning American Pharoah mare Speedy Vanessa, a half-sister to G1 Ashland Stakes winner Karlovy Vary. He was purchased by his current connections for $160,000 at the 2024 Keeneland September yearling sale.
In addition to Confessional, dual Champion Essential Quality is also represented by two Stakes winners in his first crop: Essential Time, winner of the Clever Trevor Stakes and Chopsticks, winner of the Ellis Park Debutante, along with winners My World, S S Quality, Aye Eye, El Barrio, Misinformation, Viva Vienne, and Essential Wild Cat.
Essential Quality will stand the 2026 breeding season at Jonabell Farm for a fee of $25,000, stands and nurses.
