American Fan-Favorite Jimmy Torano Sprints to Win in $50k Rood & Riddle Kentucky Grand Prix

The crowds came to cheer on top athletes at the Kentucky Horse Park and were not disappointed by the $50,000 Rood & Riddle Grand Prix on Saturday. After a field of 35-horse and rider combinations entered the ring, only five returned for a competitive jump-off. Veteran professional, Jimmy Torano, piloted Ilan Feder’s gelding, Glasgow De Muze, to the win in a time of 40.203 seconds, narrowly beating another favorite, Aaron Vale, on his mount Major who crossed the timers with a speedy 41.557. Torano took home the prestigious grand prix win as well as the Envisian Leading Rider Award.

Jimmy Torano and Glasgow De Muze. Photo by Phelps Sports

The Rolex Stadium was filled to the brim with spectators who came to the venue to participate in Hats Off Day, which celebrates the impact the horse has had on the state of Kentucky. The crowd was vibrant and cheered excitedly when Sydney Shulman and the first of her two rides, Villamoura, produced the first clear round.

Vale, who entered the ring after Shulman, wasted no time in producing his own clear round and guaranteeing the crowd a jump-off. The challenging course, designed by Bobby Murphy, did not allow for another clear round until Torano, followed by Katy Abrahamson, and later Sharn Wordley.

Aaron Vale and Major. Photo by Phelps Sports

Torano, who has been a prominent equestrian and equestrian sports commentator, only took over the ride on Glasgow De Muze a few months ago, when fellow professional, Ilan Feder, called to let him know that the gelding was on his way to his farm.

“[Ilan] called me up about a month and half ago and said ‘I’m going to send you a horse tomorrow.’ We’ve been really successful. The horse is 12 years old and he’s got a lot of experience. This is my fourth grand prix win on him. I won a couple of weeks ago in Lake Placid and he’s just a real winner. If you get in the jump-off, you have a pretty good shot. He’s very fast and he’s very careful. I have to thank Ilan for sending me this horse. He’s a great horse to have in my barn.”

Returning for the jump-off Shulman set a blistering pace only to have an unfortunate rail at the last fence. Vale, who is known to be almost unbeatable in the Rolex Arena, laid down a feirce ride, besting Shulman and forcing Torano to leave it all on the line. Torano, who has represented the United States in multiple FEI World Cup Finals and was a member on several Nations Cup teams, masterfully navigated the short course to produce a time that proved unbeatable by Abrahamson or Wordley.

Jimmy Torano and Glasgow De Muze with Representatives of Rood & Riddle Equine Hospital. Photo by Phelps Sports

The sponsor for tonight’s class, Rood & Riddle Equine Hospital was also a leading sponsor of Hats Off Day. Founded in Kentucky, Rood & Riddle has grown to become one of the premier veterinary hospitals in the world and works on equine athletes of all disciplines. Rood & Riddle Equine Hospital veterinarians and staff were on hand to watch the show jumping action and present Torano with his commemorative glass trophy.

Due to his strong performance during this week’s Kentucky Summer Horse Show, Torano was also awarded the Envisian Leading Rider Award, presented by Envisian Products, LLC.