2015 has already been an amazing year for me; yesterday added yet more icing on the cake. I know I will not do it full justice, but here are a few words about my Belmont Experience 2015. The race, the atmosphere, the whole day - watching history. A big thank you first to Kenwood Racing, for organizing the day and giving me this opportunity.

We arrived at Belmont at 11.30, under cloudy skies, with bursts of sun. The crowds were already large and there was an amazing atmosphere in the air. We saw several Pharaoh Hats in the crowd, the racing had started and we were off.....to a festival of racing with almost $8M of purse money available. After taking our seats, I started with a visit to the paddock. I went to see the field for the Jaipur Invitational Stakes. What an amazing field, the power of "Something Extra", the finesse of "Ageless" and the physique of "Channel Marker". Just a few of an amazing field of beautiful horses for a great turf sprint, which was won by "Channel Marker". Next up was the first $1M race of the day, the Ogden Phipps. This was a small field of 6, but featured some great fillies. I had it down as a two horse race and it proved that way with "Wedding Toast" holding off "Untapable".

As the racing went on, the atmosphere continued to build. The crowd seemed to cheer "Coach Inge" home and give him the extra stride against my choice "VE Day" in the Brooklyn. "Curalina" powered her way home in the Acorn and "Tepin" burst through to win the Longines Just a Game Stakes, in a classic finish. All amazing races that would grace any card in the country and would normally be the feature. The next race was one of the best races I have seen.

The Met Mile was full of class including Breeders Cup Classic winner "Bayern", last year’s Belmont winner "Tonalist", who was 4 for 4 at Belmont and last year’s Cigar Mile winner "Private Zone". There was plenty of pace in the race and we were treated to a classic. "Private Zone" set the pace, with "Bayern" stalking behind him. "Tamarkuz" then took over the role of pressing the pace. At this point "Honor Code" started to run. At least 14 lengths back he had to go 7 wide to pass the field, there was no way he could do it. So I focused on "Tonalist", who was by now pressing the leaders. I thought he had it nailed, then from out of nowhere there was a flash of Turquoise as "Honor Code" came flying past..... Wow.....

Next up was another $1M race, the Manhattan. A classic turf race. Real slow fractions early, meant everyone was bunched up coming into the straight. This race was anyone’s to win, when "Slumber" burst through to take the race at amazing 14-1 odds.

After the buzz of that race had settled down and everyone sat down, a feeling hit me that I have never experienced before. It was almost as if I was getting a small electric shock, which was making the hair on the back of my neck stand up. The buzz just kept building. Then there was a massive cheer..... what was it, no horses were on the track, no horses were even in the paddock. The TV screens were showing the stables. It was a quick glimpse of "American Pharoah". It seemed like seconds until New York, New York was playing and the horses were coming to the track. They received a roar that I have never heard before, then when American Pharoah was introduced it went up several decibels more. The buzz continued to build, the crowd was ready - could he do it?..... AP was throwing his head and looked unsettled in the parade, perhaps this was not going to be the day.....

As they approached the gate all eyes were on AP, he now looked the picture of calm. Walking into the gate without hesitation. Then last to load "Materiality" was loaded. And they’re off.... AP into the lead, Materiality pressing him a little. The roar of the crowd building. The back straight AP still in the lead, the factions did not seem too fast, could he last the mile and a half? Then entering the straight the roar of the crowd turned into the roar of a jet engine, AP was in the lead still, "Frosted" was making a move. My nerves were shot, the crowd was jumping, bouncing, roaring like I have never seen before. AP was going away. "Come on Pharoah, Come on" 2 lengths, 3 lengths, 4....... "He is going away, he is going to do it". I just witnessed history...... A wave of emotions hit me, excitement, energy, heart pumping, holding back tears, shaking................ I had just witnessed something that had not been seen for years..... I had just witnessed history.....

I have never felt these experiences before and probably never will. Even as I am writing this I am feeling all the same emotions coming back and I am shaking and my heart is racing. I am one of the very lucky 90,000 to have witnessed an amazing day of racing, concluded by a historic race. It seemed fitting that on the ride back there was a beautiful sunset over New York. An amazing day. Thank you "American Pharoah" and all his connections. Well done to one and all. Thank you to Kenwood Racing for organizing this amazing day out.