Bull by the Horns came with a ferocious run down the center of the course to sweep past Rhythm Lady and Steel Imperium in deep stretch to earn a half-length victory in the Rushaway Stakes at Turfway Park on Saturday, March 21.
The grey/roan colt led home a Stakes exacta for sire, Essential Quality, with Steel Imperium securing the runner-up spot.
After brushing slightly with a rival coming out of the starting gate, Bull by the Horns settled at the rear of the field as J J Grey (Street Boss) led the field through the early stages of the race. Bull by the Horns still raced in last heading into the far turn but quickly began to make up ground once tipped into the clear on the far outside.
Under a heady ride from jockey John Velazquez, Bull by the Horns closed relentlessly on the leaders, battling Rhythm Lady and Steel Imperium in the final furlong to get the win.
Bred in Kentucky by Ashview Farm and Colts Neck Stable, Bull by the Horns is out of the multiple Stakes-placed mare, No Sweat (by Blame). No Sweat’s dam, Coolwind (by Forest Wildcat), was a multiple Stakes winner and Graded Stakes-placed runner that has also produced Graded Stakes winner, Looking Cool (by Candy Ride).
Two-time Eclipse Award winner Essential Quality was represented by 19 winners in his first crop and has sired four Stakes winners already in 2026. In addition to Bull by the Horns, Essential Quality is the sire of Stakes winners The Puma (G3 Tampa Bay Derby), My World (Jerome Stakes), and Black Hornet (Black Gold Stakes).
Essential Quality is standing the 2026 breeding season at Jonabell Farm for a fee of $25,000, stands and nurses.
