Today we celebrate again. Another victory for a man who epitomizes what a great horseman should be. A man who has now been a victor in multiple disciplines. Michael Matz is the primary trainer for Lael Stables, owned and operated by Roy and Gretchen Jackson, the breeders of Barbaro. The Jackson’s live in West Grove, Pennsylvania. They have been involved in racing for 30 years.
Their best horse prior to Barbaro was Grandera, whom they campaigned for two seasons prior to selling him to Godolphin. Grandera would go on to win multiple Group One stakes for his new owners.
The Jacksons are horse lovers and always involved. Gretchen Jackson serves on the Thoroughbred Charities of America board of directors.
Barbaro is a son of Dynaformer, 21, who has improved as a sire with age, as he has produced the core of his top performers late in his stallion career.
Barbaro’s dam, La Ville Rouge, was also talented on dirt and turf. Barbaro is just La Ville Rouge second foal to race.
Barbaro was undefeated coming into today’s Derby and became the first horse since Needles in 1956 to win the Kentucky Derby off of a five-week layoff. Matz had been criticized for his actions. His criticizers were wrong. Matz knew what his horse needed.
Earlier in the day, the top European 3-year-old colt George Washington, bred by the Jacksons, won the Stan James 2000 Guineas at Newmarket for trainer Aidan O’Brien and jockey Kieren Fallon. But the real focus on today’s win was on Michael Matz. Born January 23, 2026 and a resident of Unionville, Pennsylvania, Matz has a lifelong history with horses.
A successful national and international riding career earned Michael Matz the distinction of being the all time leading money winning rider and member of the Show Jumping Millionaire’s Club with over $1,700,000 earned in prize money.
A three-time Olympian and four-time Pan American Game’s veteran, Matz has won the U. S. Equestrian Team (USET) Show Jumping Championship a record six times. He earned a Team Silver medal in the Atlanta Olympic Games and was also honored by being asked to carry the U.S. flag in the closing ceremonies that same year. Matz has turned his horsemanship to thoroughbreds in recent years, and has continued his success in the latest endeavor. He was recently inducted into the Show Jumping Hall of Fame.
He scored his biggest victories with Kicken Kris, who won the 2004 Arlington Million (GI) and 2003 Secretariat (GI) and is now standing stud in Japan. Barbaro is Matz’s first Derby Entry and he is a now one of six trainers who have won the Derby the first time they have entered.
Lets not forget today’s Jockey, who Matz had nothing but praise. When asked about last minute instructions given to Prado, Matz simply responded, “He rides the horse more than I do and he knows what he is doing. I didn’t give him any.”
Edgar Prado is a native of Lima, Peru and hails from a racing family - his father is a trainer and two of his eight brothers are jockeys. He dominated the Maryland racing scene for years with multiple riding titles at both Laurel and Pimlico, but in the summer of 1999 decided to shift his tack to New York. He won 1,000 races over a two-year span in 1997-1998, to join Chris McCarron and Kent Desormeaux as the only riders to accomplish that feat and led the nation in wins with 536 in ‘97, 474 in ‘98, and 402 in ‘99.
He was second nationally in earnings last year, when his mounts won over $18 million for the second consecutive year. He also won 299 races in 2005, finishing in seventh nationally while winning at a 20% clip. Prado won the Kentucky Oaks in 2003 on Bird Town and the Belmont twice: Birdstone (2004) and Sarava (2002). He has ridden in the past six Derbies, with his best finish a third on Peace Rules in 2003.
After the race, he commented that “He was confident that he had a winner in the Kentucky Derby”. He also said that he believed he had a potential Triple Crown Winner.
That would be nice. For today, HJN salutes Michael Matz on a “Job, Well Done”
Congratulations to Michael for a job well done and one of the most exciting derbies in a long time. Prado gave him a great ride as well.
toulouse - May 6th, 2006 at 9:37 pmMichael Matz is a horseman’s horseman. When my kids were showing the three people I always made them watch ride were Joe Fargis, Katie Monahan-Prudent and Michael Matz - This will make the Preakness and Belmont even more exciting!
Lauren - May 7th, 2006 at 8:03 amOf course I was cheering for Barbaro because I always admired Michael. I truly thoughgt he had a chance to win but I just sat in front of the TV afterward and was in delighted shock. He actually won!!! How awesome! What proof of his excelence as a horseman. We all want a triple crown winner but if Michael did it that would really be something. Proof that you really have to know your stuff to do it…
kchased - May 7th, 2006 at 10:25 amI had planned to run to OTB and put $50 on the horse because I have always believed Michael was a real horseman. Silly me, I got on the computer and lost track of time. I missed the whole thing!! and I could have made sooo much money!! Grrr…
Lessonlady - May 7th, 2006 at 6:08 pmYou must be logged in to post a comment.