Majid: Glorious, Maginificent, Lucky

On Saturday’s Belmont Stakes (G1) undercard, a horse by the name of Majid went gate to wire to win the Easy Goer Stakes (listed). It was his fourth win in as many starts since being transferred to the Rudy Rodriguez barn after his first two starts with trainers Todd Pletcher and Brad Cox, respectively, for owners Zayat Stables.

Majid holds off Still Dreaming and Grump’s Little Tots to win the Easy Goer Stakes, June 8, 2019. Photo by Steve Heuertz.

As with many Zayat-owned horses, Majid’s name has roots in Arabic etymology. In English, “majid” translates to “glorious” and “magnificent”. But for breeder Forever Spring Farm, he is considered “lucky”.

Majid at Forever Spring Farm as a foal. Photo by Rachel Bissonette.

Born on St. Patrick’s Day, Majid was first known as “Paddy” at the 300+ acre Danville, Kentucky farm, where he is affectionately remembered as a foal by assistant farm manager, Rachel Bissonette, as “always running around”. Bissonette is a photographer in her spare time and captured several photos of him as a foal and yearling at the farm, including one of him under a rainbow.

Forever Spring Farm is also where Majid was raised and received his sales prep before being sold as a yearling for $210,000 at the 2017 Keeneland September Yearling Sale. “He was such a fun horse, always knew what I wanted him to do. We just connected on a level that was special, [one] that I have only had with a few horses in my life; he was always showing off for me,” Bissonette fondly recalls.

Majid as a yearling at Forever Spring Farm. Photo by Rachel Bissonette.

Making his first start as a two-year-old, Majid’s ability on the track wasn’t immediately seen in his first two starts, but both Bissonette and Forever Spring Farm Manager, Matt Jackson, knew that he had what it took to win at a high level. Jackson credits Rudy Rodriguez and his team for “figuring this horse out and turning him in the right direction”.

Since entering the Rodriguez barn as a three-year-old, Majid seems to have found his preferred running style, setting or sitting just off the pace. Stretching out with each consecutive start this year, his win in the Easy Goer is his longest race to-date at 1 1/16-miles. By Shackleford and out of the Mineshaft mare Jessamine, Majid should no issue with additional added distance. Rodriguez said after Saturday’s race that he plans to take him to Saratoga to resume training.