The TDN’s Most Widely Read Stories of 2025

[Wandering Eyes]

What were the most popular stories in the TDN in 2025? What resonated most with our readers? Here again is our annual review of the stories you liked the most and the ones that received the most views:

1) Alvarado Faces Penalties for Overuse of Whip in the Derby, by Bill Finley. 258,371 Views.

Winning the GI Kentucky Derby aboard Sovereignty (Into Mischief) was the highlight of jockey Junior Alvarado's career. But the story included a bad footnote as Alvarado faced penalties from HISA for overuse of the whip. Under HISA rules, jockeys can use the crop no more than six times. It was alleged that Alvarado used his whip eight times, including once after Sovereignty took a clear lead at the sixteenth pole. The eventual penalty issued by HISA to Alvarado for overuse of the whip was a $62,000 fine and a two-day suspension.

 

2) Two Runners Collide, Both Die After Training Incident at Belmont Park, Staff Report. 174,930 Views.

It was a tragic day at Belmont Park on Oct. 25 when a freak accident on the training track led to the deaths of two horses. Fortunately, neither exercise rider was injured.

 

3) Jorge Navarro Released From Prison, by Bill Finley. 106,944 Views.

The notorious “Juice Man,” Jorge Navarro, was released from the federal prison FCI Miami in June. He served three years and three months of a five-year sentence. Within days, Navarro was sent to an ICE Facility in Colorado. He is a felon and is not a U.S. citizen, reasons why he was taken into custody by ICE. His lawyer had long ago predicted that the Panamanian-born disgraced trainer would be deported to his native country.

 

4) Taylor Made's Josh Bryan Dies From Surgical Complications, by Sue Finley. 86,007 Views.

In one of the sadder stories the TDN had to report during the year, Josh Bryan, the former program coordinator for the Taylor Made School of Horsemanship who had been serving as assistant to Frank Taylor, the Director of New Business Development at Taylor Made Farm, died in April from complications from jaw surgery. He was 33 years old.

Bryan was born with Goldenhar syndrome, a rare congenital defect that affects the development of the ear, nose, soft palate, lip and mandible usually on one side of the body. He had his first corrective surgery when he was just seven weeks old and went on to endure at least 15 more procedures. Thanks to his enrolling in Stable Recovery, Bryan had successfully battled back against substance abuse problems and had turned his life around.

 

5) Horse Goes From Kill Pen to Winner's Circle at Churchill Downs: The Story of Awesome Hawaiian, by Bill Finley. 53,486 Views.

This was the type of feel-good story that gives you hope about the problem of horse slaughter. Awesome Hawaiian (Awesome Bet) was saved out of a kill pen by owner John Stewart and his family. Usually for a horse that has wound up in such a dire situation, their future is as a pleasure horse or a “pasture ornament.” Not Awesome Hawaiian. Originally purchased for just $1,000 at a yearling sale in Louisiana, he was given every chance to be a race horse by the Stewarts, and he broke his maiden in his debut in a $30,000 maiden claimer at Churchill Downs.

 

6) Enough Already: It's Time to Fix the Triple Crown, by Bill Finley. 51,341 Views.

Alarmed that Kentucky Derby winner Sovereignty passed the GI Preakness S., this TDN contributor had had enough. Coming to the obvious conclusion that more and more trainers are unwilling to bring their Derby horses back in the Preakness after just two weeks' rest, the column called for major changes and advocated that future Triple Crown races be run on the first Saturday in May, the first Saturday in June and the first Saturday in July.

 

7) 'He Loved Horses and Horses Loved Him'-Tributes Paid to Hugh Mulryan, by Adam Houghton. 49,839 Views.

In a story that appeared in the European edition of the TDN, Associate Editor Adam Houghton collected the thoughts of prominent European breeders and horseman on the passing of Hugh Mulryan at age 25. The son of owner-breeder Liam Mulryan, Hugh had carved out a promising career of his own in racing and bloodstock, having spent time under the wing of trainers such as Denis Hogan and Sir Mark Prescott, as well as working on the farm and at the sales for Baroda Stud. The County Galway native had recently relocated to Britain to take up a new role with Adrian Keatley in Ryedale, North Yorkshire.

 

8) Dr. Robert Hunt Passes, by Bill Finley. 40,986 Views.

In another sad story about a beloved racing figure that died too soon, the TDN reported on the death of Dr. Robert Hunt, who passed away in October after a bout with cancer. Hunt was a respected veterinarian at Hagyard Equine Medical Institute.

“Dr. Hunt's character, integrity and perseverance have been so impactful on not only my career but the lives and careers of so many people and horses,” said veterinarian and jockey Dr. Ferrin Peterson, who worked alongside Hunt. “He always placed the needs of the horse first, even if it cost him personally and financially. But he remained steadfast, standing strong in his convictions. Mentoring people in his line of work was one of his greatest passions. I can think of no greater legacy than for these mentees, myself included, to carry on the principles he exemplified. I am forever grateful for my time with this great man.”

 

9) Trainer Christophe Clement Passes at 59, by Bill Finley. 37,398 Views.

Among the most respected trainers in the sport and one who may be headed to the Hall of Fame, Christophe Clement passed away in May after battling Metastatic Uveal Melanoma. He was 59. According to Equibase, Clement saddled 2,576 winners from 13,269 starters. His stable had compiled total earnings of $184,119,069. His son, Miguel, has taken over the stable and has followed in his father's footsteps, quickly establishing himself as one of the top trainers on the NYRA circuit.

 

10) Out of the Bargain Basement, the $2,500 Yearling Who is on His Way to the Kentucky Derby, by Bill Finley. 34,982 Views.

Chunk of Gold (Preservationist) was impossible not to like. The 3-year-old was purchased for $2,500 at the 2023 Fasig-Tipton Kentucky October Yearlings sale and earned his way into the Kentucky Derby with second-place finishes in the GII Risen Star Stakes and the GII Louisiana Derby. Following publication of the story, Chunk of Gold finished ninth in the Derby, but later went on to win the GIII West Virginia Derby.

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