War Like Goddess with exercise rider Brittany Troxtell. (Scott Serio/Eclipse Sportswire/Breeders Cup)
Breeders’ Cup Notes
As a little girl, Brittany Troxtell liked horses. As a young woman, she loves them. Especially the ones she gets on as an exercise rider at the power-packed barn of Hall of Fame trainer Bill Mott.
Troxtell had herself a busy Sunday morning as she was part of the Mott team fine tuning his all-star lineup as the Breeders’ Cup looms. She worked Casa Creed Sunday, who will run in the $2 million FanDuel Breeders’ Cup Mile (G1). She has been aboard Elite Power, who is gunning for his second straight win in the $2 million Qatar Racing Breeders’ Cup Sprint (G1).
Troxtell saved the best for last as she climbed aboard WAR LIKE GODDESS for her final work before the $4 million Longines Breeders’ Cup Turf (G1).
“I am honored to ride any horse in the barn,” Troxtell said with a smile. “I definitely have my favorites with War Like Goddess being one of them.”
The daughter of turf whiz English Channel will be attempting to beat the boys in the Turf, a 1 1/2- mile race spiced up with several strong international foes. War Like Goddess has beaten males before, including the past two editions of the prestigious Joe Hirsch Turf Classic Stakes (G1) in New York.
The Breeders’ Cup has eluded her. She was third in the Turf last year and third in the Filly & Mare Turf (G1) in 2021.
“It would mean so much to me if she could win,” Troxtell. 22, said. “That is because she is the biggest, most accomplished horse I have ridden on a consistent basis. It would mean a lot to the whole team, not just me.”
Troxtell grew up in Florida and said she was always fascinated with the four-legged thoroughbred creatures. At the age of 10, a Christmas present from her mother consisted of riding lessons. Young Brittany was hooked.
“Once I got those lessons, you could not get me away from it,” she said. “I would always count down the days when I could get to do something with the horses.”
Her love for the horse did not wane as she grew older. When she became aware that she might be able to make a living riding horses, her interest only grew.
When an opening came at Mott’s barn, she took a chance. And here she is.
“She has been a great employee,” Mott said. “She learned well and has done a great job for us.”
Troxtell’s biggest break came this past summer when Mott handed her the reins belonging to War Like Goddess. She has exercised her as well as worked her.
Mott trusts her.
“Loyalty is everything,” Mott said. “That is what it is all about. You get people on the same team, and they all want the end goal to be the same for the horses. It’s not a me, me, me thing. She has obviously progressed well to be out there on those horses. She has a good disposition, has good feedback with the horses and she loves the horses. Plus, she is a good rider. That is what it’s all about.”
There is excitement as the Breeders’ Cup approaches but also some sadness. The careers of horses like Cody’s Wish and Elite Power will be coming to an end. War Like Goddess is 6 and Casa Creed is 7.
“I get a little more attached to them than I should,” she said. “If War Like Goddess retires, I will be a little sad. All the horses I have swung a leg over – like Casa Creed and Elite Power – some will be retired. Sad, but so thankful that I have been around them. The whole string, we have here is pretty incredible.”
