Game Changers: Meet Caitlinhergrtness

Once a week, from January to April, Woodbine will profile a horse who had a life-changing impact on one of their closest connections in 2024. This week, groom Troy Garnett and 2024 King’s Plate winner Caitlinhergrtness, who is also a finalist for the 2024 Champion Three-Year-Old Female Sovereign Award.

Garnett, born and raised in Barbados, came to the barn of trainer Kevin Attard in March 2009.

“One day, I found myself walking through Kevin’s barn. A person, who is also from Barbados, was working there and told me that Kevin was looking for a hotwalker. It just seemed like it was a good fit. And it was. I have been working for Kevin since that day.”

Scroll to continue with content

Attard is grateful to have Garnett along for the ride.

“Troy truly loves the horses. He is one of the most hard-working and dedicated horse people in our industry. He comes into the barn with a smile on his face every day. We are lucky to have him on our team.”

Caitlinhergrtness (ON) Bio

Foaled: April 22, 2021
Sire: Omaha Beach
Dam: Belatrix
Purchased: Current owners bought her for $375,000 from the Off the Hook consignment at the 2023 Ocala Breeders’ Spring Sale of 2-Year-Olds in Training
Starts: 9
Wins-Seconds-Thirds: 3-1-2
Earnings: $693,812 (U.S.)
Notable races: Won the King’s Plate in 2024. Second in last year’s Woodbine Oaks. Third in last year’s Grade 1 Queen Elizabeth II Challenge Cup Stakes at Keeneland. Broke her maiden at Belmont on September 28, 2023.
Trainer: Kevin Attard
Owner: Siena Farm LLC and WinStar Farm LLC
Groom: Troy Garnett
Breeder: Jesse Korona

What do you remember from the first time you met Caitlinhergrtness?

“I am the person who took her off the trailer when she first came to the barn. It was early morning, and I walked her into the stall, took off her bandages, got her settled and made sure she was okay. It was the size that I noticed. She looked great for a young filly. Then I looked at her breeding and I thought, ‘This is a nice horse.’”

“I loved her from day one, even before I did research on her. She looked amazing. And she was nice to work with right from the start. She allowed me to work with her and I think that was a big plus. Never one day did she rebel.”

After four races in the U.S., she had her first start (a win) at Woodbine on July 6, 2024. What did you think of her performance?

“She was working so well, and she worked like a very good horse. She was doing it rather easily, too. That is what stood out for me. I felt like she was going to be very tough in that first race at Woodbine.”

What do you remember most about the King’s Plate?

“For a horse who had a big shot of winning the Plate, I was very relaxed. She made it easy on me to feel that way. Knowing her capabilities, she made my morning easy. She was like a champion going over. She meant business, she was relaxed, she wasn’t getting too hot – when the saddle went on, she knew it was game time. Things can go wrong in the race, but the day seemed perfect.”

“Even before she came around the turn, I felt everything was setting up perfectly for her. I know she loves to chase a target, so when she got up to a length or so of the lead, I felt she had it. I could see by the way she was getting to the horse coming around the turn and that she was digging in. She was training that way in the mornings, so that she would run that type of race.”

“I was so happy. I had a couple of shots at the Plate before – one horse finished sixth and another horse got scratched a day or two before the race – so it kind of felt Caitlinhergrtness was the one who was going to give me that win. I started shaking in mid-stretch because I knew she had it. What a fantastic feeling. All the hard work that goes into winning that race – I felt like Lady Luck was on my side.”

“When she came back to the winner’s circle, I told her, ‘Thank you.’ I kissed her and patted her. I told her that I loved her and that she put me on the map.”

What are the three best words to describe Caitlinhergrtness?

“Classy. Welcoming. Determined.”

How has she changed your life?

“She has changed my life in a big way. Being in the game a long time, she propelled me to new heights. Whenever people see the board with the list of Plate winners, her name will be on there forever. She has given me so much and I truly love her.”