Samantha Decker

YouTube video by Samantha Decker The Magic of the Thoroughbred, Part III: The Breedings Years

I am excited to share the third installment in my four-part series about the life of a Thoroughbred. This one is all about the breeding years. It was shot in New York and Kentucky from 2023-2025.

Fierceness retires with four G1 wins, $5.7 MM in earnings, and at least one Eclipse Award. He finished on the board in three consecutive Breeders' Cup races. He's another talented colt I feel lucky to have watched and photograph train and race at the Spa. #racingsky 🏇

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Parchment Party will make history tomorrow as the first U.S.-based runner in the G1 Melbourne Cup. The Bill Mott trainee earned a spot by winning the G3 Belmont Gold Cup in June. John Velázquez will join the colt as the first American jockey to ride in the race.

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Your 2025 Breeders' Cup World Champions! #racingsky 🏇

Congratulations to jockey Flavien Prat, who won seven races at Belmont at the Big A today, a NYRA record! #racingsky 🏇

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With Breeders' Cup 2025 in the books, are eyes are on Keeneland, next year's host. How do you feel about the 2026 World Championships returning to Horse Country? #racingsky 🏇

MGSW Damon's Mound is entered in the Grade III Bold Ruler Stakes today at Belmont at the Big A. The Bill Mott trainee looks to return to the winner's circle for the first time since winning the Sunshine Sprint Stakes at Gulfstream Park in January. #racingsky 🏇

Today the Grade II Red Smith Stakes is run at Belmont at the Big A. Pictured is 2006 winner, millionaire Naughty New Yorker, who resides at Old Friends at Cabin Creek. #racingsky 🏇

Over and Ollie seeks his first stakes victory in the Grade III Forty Niner Stakes today at Belmont at the Big A. The Rick Dutrow trainee has one win this year from four starts. #racingsky 🏇

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So...is Sovereignty Horse of the Year? #racingsky 🏇

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When it's all said and done, I am $109 in the black today. Not bad for not being a very good handicapper, I'd say. Congrats to all winning connections! #racingsky 🏇

(2/2) The Chad Brown trainee's earning exceed $7 million, which more than covers his $2.3 million yearling price. It's been a privilege to get to witness and photograph this colt train and race over the last 2.5 years! #racingsky 🏇

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(1/2) Sierra Leone, who came within a neck of defending his title in the Breeders' Cup Classic, retires with a record of 5 wins at 5 different tracks from 14 starts, never once finishing off the board.

What a delightful result after a disappointing week for Bill Mott & Junior Alvarado. Congrats to them and owner/breeder Juddmonte on Scylla's win in the BC Distaff! This mare always shows up & has been sitting on a big win & today she finally got it! #racingsky 🏇

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Congratulations to trainer José D'Angelo on getting his first two
Breeders' Cup wins, one right after the other, with Shisospicy in the Turf Sprint and Bentornato in the Sprint! Both of these talented runners trained at the Spa this year. #racingsky 🏇

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The beautiful music room, formerly the library, of the Yaddo Mansion in Saratoga, which I toured in September.

Championship Saturday going well for me so far!

Congratulations to the connections of Scorch, who broke her maiden today at Belmont at the Big A! Flashback to March 12, 2023, when she was foaled at Mahoney Eden Manor in Saratoga! #racingsky 🏇

2023 Breeders' Cup Classic winner White Abarrio looks to add a second BC win to his resume in this year's Dirt Mile. The Saffie Joseph trainee was fourth in the Grade I Jockey Club Gold Cup Stakes at Saratoga last time out. #racingsky 🏇

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Featured Saratoga Living Insider: Samantha Decker Someone get this woman a book deal!

I am honored to be the Saratoga Living Insider of the Month! Saratoga Living did an article about my photography a few years ago and gave me my first credentialed gig shooting at the track, so I am forever grateful!

With Sovereignty out of the Breeders' Cup Classic, Fierceness steps up as the favorite. Can he make it three years in a row that he finishes first or second in a Breeders' Cup race? #racingsky 🏇

Old Friends at Cabin Creek doesn't have any Breeders' Cup winners, but we have one horse who was sired by one. Watchem Smokey is by 1996 Classic winner Alphabet Soup. At 25, he is the oldest Thoroughbred on the farm. Come meet him and his pals today from 12-3! #racingsky 🏇

Congratulations to the connections of Ted Noffey, who won the Breeders' Cup Juvenile! The Todd Pletcher trainee won his first two starts at Saratoga and trained here up to the Breeders' Cup. #racingsky 🏇

Congratulations to the connections of Cy Fair, who won the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint, giving trainer George Weaver his first BC winner! This talented young filly trained and ran (and won) at the Spa this year. #racingsky 🏇

Happy Halloween from Old Friends at Cabin Creek's resident barn panther Rudy!

Happy Halloween! 🏇

Happy Breeders' Cup Day 1! Good luck and safe trips to all! #racingsky 🏇

2009 @breederscup.bsky.social Classic winner Zenyatta #racingsky 🏇

Sovereignty's scratch from the Breeders' Cup reminded me of two years ago, when favorite Arcangelo was scratched from the very same race, after he too had won the Belmont and Travers that year. The Jena Antonucci trainee went on to earn Champion 3YO Male honors. Will Sovereignty do the same?

Frankie Dettori announced yesterday that after the Breeders' Cup this weekend, he will retire from riding in the U.S. and will finish out his career in South America. Wishing him all the best! #racingsky 🏇

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