Before entering Buddem Danno in the 2024 Saudi Derby (G3), Tampa Bay Downs trainer Derek Ryan received an enticing offer from Prince Faisal bin Khalid Al Saud to relocate to Saudi Arabia and train several thoroughbreds. Ryan, originally from Tipperary, Ireland, recalled on a Sunday morning at Tampa Bay Downs that he had to respond to the offer two days after the race, noting the appeal of receiving a year’s salary upfront, which was timely given his son Chris’s college expenses.
In the Saudi Derby, a notable international race in recent years, Bookemdanno led for most of the stretch but was narrowly defeated by Forever Young (JPN). Despite the large purse difference—$900,000 for the winner and $300,000 for the runner-up—this loss slightly delayed Bookemdanno’s effort to break out on the world stage. Ryan, known for training Musketman, the 2009 Tampa Bay Derby (G3) winner, believed the Saudi Derby wasn’t Bookemdanno’s only chance for success. When Prince Faisal reviewed his options two days post-race, Ryan respectfully declined the offer, choosing instead to continue training Bookemdanno for the benefit of his six partners from Atlantic Six Racing, the horse’s owners.
Ryan remarked to Prince Faisal that if Bookemdanno were to win a Grade 1 Stakes, he wouldn’t want to see it happen from afar. His faith in Bookemdanno, a son of the Ghostzapper stallion Bucchero from New Jersey, was validated as the horse went on to win the Grade 1 Woody Stephens at Saratoga and the Jersey Shore Stakes at Monmouth Park after the Saudi Derby. These victories prepared Bookemdanno for his outstanding 2025 season as a four-year-old, where he dominated North American sprinting with consecutive wins at Saratoga in the True North Stakes (G3), Alfred G. Vanderbilt (G2), and Forego (G1), all ridden by jockey Paco Lopez.
Following the August 23 Forego, Ryan decided to rest Bookemdanno for the remainder of the year. This pause allowed 4-year-old Ventornato, who finished far behind in the Saudi Derby, to emerge as the leading male sprinter by winning the 2025 Breeders’ Cup Sprint (G1) at Del Mar on November 1. Trainer Jose Francisco D’Angelo quickly propelled Ventornato into the spotlight with just two starts. Additionally, Bob Baffert’s horse Nithos, winner of several top sprints including the Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile (G1), was named as a finalist for the 2025 Eclipse Award for male sprint champion.
Ryan’s decision was partly influenced by concerns that the fast-track conditions might negatively impact Bookemdanno’s stalking racing style and because the horse needed a break. Also, Lopez faced a six-month suspension handed down by the Horse Racing Integrity and Safety Authority (HISA) in September due to a December 2024 incident involving a neck injury. Ultimately, Ryan prioritized Bookemdanno’s long-term health, aiming for a strong comeback in 2026 with the goal of competing in the Breeders’ Cup Sprint at Keeneland in October.
Ryan emphasized the careful attention given to Bookemdanno’s care after every race, including thorough examinations and X-rays, highlighting the horse’s calm demeanor except during races. He noted that Lopez’s riding style perfectly suits Bookemdanno, who prefers to chase competitors from the outside rather than getting trapped on the rail.
Reflecting on Bookemdanno’s remarkable earning of over $1.8 million from a modest $30,000 yearling purchase, Ryan attributed the horse’s success to relentless determination rather than pedigree, likening him to another hard-running horse he trained, Musketman.
Before the Saudi Derby, Bookemdanno impressed Tampa Bay Downs fans by cruising to a 12.5-length victory in the Pasco Stakes at Oldsmar Oval with jockey Samuel Mullin. Ryan indicated that Bookemdanno could be ready to compete in the six-furlong $125,000 Pelican Stakes on February 7, following a solid workout in late December at the Hennessy Hill Training Center.
At this point in his career, Bookemdanno is expected to continue making his presence known on the track.
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Fan Take: This story highlights the delicate balance trainers face between lucrative offers and long-term development of their horses, showing that patience and strategic planning can lead to sustained success. For horse racing enthusiasts, Bookemdanno’s journey underscores the excitement of discovering and nurturing talent that can shine internationally while reinforcing the sport’s deep-rooted values of dedication and care.
