Rapid Redux, a 6-year-old Kentucky-bred gelding, claimed his 22nd consecutive win on February 18 at Maryland’s Laurel Park. The previous record of 19 consecutive wins was shared by 2009 Breeders Cup Classic champion and 2010 Horse of the Year Zenyatta, and New-Mexico-bred stakes winner Peppers Pride, both now retired.

Rapid Redux is just one victory short of the record for consecutive North American wins set by Leviathon in 1801. Although, Puerto Rican racehorse Camarero claimed the world record in 1955, when he won his 55th consecutive race, surpassing the Hungarian mare Kincsem, who retired in 1789 at five, with an unblemished record of 54 wins.

On Saturday, May 12, 5-year-old Australian racing phenomenon Black Caviar scored her 21st consecutive win in the G1 Goodwood at Morphettville Racecourse, in Adelaide. Two weeks previously she had broken the Australian record of 19 consecutive wins held jointly by Desert Gold (1917) and Gloaming (1921).

Black Caviar, 2010/2011 Australian Horse of the Year, is expected to ship to England for her next race, the Diamond Jubilee Stakes on June 23 at Royal Ascot, where Queen Elizabeth will be in attendance. The black daughter of Australian sire Bel Esprit, is owned by a syndicate of Melbourne families and friends and conditioned by prominent Australian trainer Peter Moody.

Rapid Redux, by Pleasantly Perfect and out of a Storm Cat daughter, is trained by David Wells for Robert Cole, Jr., who claimed the $85,000 Keeneland Yearling Sale purchase for $6,250 in October 2010. Rapid Redux, with a career total of 28 wins from 42 starts and $31,609, won all 19 of his races in 2011.

“The achievements of Rapid Redux in 2011 were remarkable…something we won’t soon again see,” said Alex Waldrop, president and CEO of the National Thoroughbred Racing Association (NTRA).