(Mary Motion on Ascend in Lexington, KY. Photo courtesy of Kristin Van Meter)

We know folks love a big gray horse, and we know a lot of them really loved THIS big gray horse (we get it…..we loved him too). So it’s great fun to see what ASCEND is up to these days!

He was with Herringswell for his entire career, from his first start as a 3-year-old at Delaware Park on June 3, 2015 through his last outing in the Joe Hirsch Turf Classic-G1 at Belmont Park on September 30, 2017. And what a huge thrill he gave everyone on Belmont Stakes Day 2017 when he won the Woodford Reserve Manhattan Stakes-G1!

Bred in Kentucky by Arthur Hancock’s Stone Farm, Ascend raced for Mr. Hancock and Madaket Stables. Sired by Candy Ride (ARG), his dam Ghost Dancing (by Silver Ghost) also produced Roadster, winner of the 2019 Santa Anita Derby-G1. Returning to Stone Farm upon his retirement, Ascend took an impressive record home with him: 17-6-4-0 and earnings of $859,980. He is now with Will and Kristin Van Meter at the Van Meter family’s Stockplace Farm in Lexington. Stockplace Farm was the birthplace of 2015 Triple Crown Champion American Pharoah.

Now 11, Ascend stays busy in the hunt field with Kristin Van Meter, and just two weeks ago he was ridden by former Herringswell rider Mary Motion at a hunter pace. As you can tell by the photos, he is looking great and loving life!