By Ben Massam
It has been over six years since Toast of New York (Thewayyouare) left his birthplace at Ashleigh Stud in Paris, Kentucky, and the 7-year-old's well-documented career has seen him log many frequent flyer miles during trips from continent to continent over the ensuing seasons. From a promising juvenile year in England to a memorable sophomore campaign in the United States to a brief stud career in Qatar, it is easy to forget that the story of 'Toast' began in the Bluegrass.
In many ways, Toast of New York's continual travels place him on similar path to that of his breeder, Jackie Ward Ramos. The matriarch of a family with numerous ties to the Thoroughbred industry, Ramos began breeding horses in England in the 1950s before relocating twice and ultimately establishing Ashleigh Stud in its current form in Kentucky. As Toast of New York approaches his second start off a 37-month layoff in Saturday's GI Pegasus World Cup Invitational, the similarities are not lost on Ramos.
“I've been at it a long time–he's like me,” Ramos said with a laugh. “It's quite exciting. I'm very happy that the horse is back, and according to [trainer] Jamie [Osborne]–who I've been talking to–he's well within himself. Horses do run at that age. I've bred a winner of a [Group 1] sprint at York when he was nine.”
Although years have passed since 'Toast' was a foal at Ashleigh, Ramos still recalls a few qualities that hinted at his ability from an early age. Ramos received a fortunate break when she obtained his second dam, dual-Grade I winner Claire Marine (Ire), from a long-time client in the twilight of her broodmare career.
“He was always a good foal to deal with,” said Ramos, who owns Ashleigh in conjunction with her husband and former jockey Frank Ramos. “He had a very exceptional walk and was a very good mover. We bred his dam [Claire Soleil {Syncline}]. The grandmother belonged to a client of mine, and won the Beverly D. She was very old when he gave her to me, and it was the second-to-last foal she had.”
At the age of 14, Claire Soleil is still a member of the Ashleigh broodmare band and continues to impress Ramos as a producer.
“I still have the mare,” Ramos said. “She has a yearling filly by Bernardini that's very nice, and she's going to go back to Bernardini.”
Ramos has plenty of perspective when it comes to the breeding game, having moved the Ashleigh Stud operation between three countries over the span of 60 years.
“I've personally had Ashleigh Stud since 1958 in England,” Ramos explained. “I started there with 25 acres and I bred two top horses there and a number of other winners in England. I got married and went to Ireland, we had Ashleigh Stud going there. And then when we moved there, we bought this property and we've been here nearly 30 years.”
Her imprint in the industry remains significant, as granddaughter Pamela Deegan is actively involved in the operation of Ashleigh Stud and launched Oxmoor Sales in 2015.
While Toast of New York's task of knocking off expected 2017 Horse of the Year Gun Runner (Candy Ride {Arg}) and 10 others Saturday seems like an uphill battle, Ramos suggested that the bay could be able to regain his top form at an advanced age thanks to some old-fashioned training approaches. Jamie Osborne, according to Ramos, is particularly well-suited to handle the challenge.
“I think all these people who come from the jumping game are good trainers.” Ramos said. “They're very good at keeping horses going. From what I see, Toast of New York looks well within himself.”
In the process of recovering from a recent illness, Ramos said she will be unable to attend the Pegasus, but will be there in spirit to see Toast of New York meet the starter.
“I'd like to be jumping on a plane to go down and see him, but we'll watch it on television,” she concluded.
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