Success in racing often depends on the ability to spot and acquire talent and to capitalize on opportunities that can present themselves when they are least expected. The distinguished career of 7-year-old gelding Gold Phoenix, headed to the $5 million Longines Breeders’ Cup Turf for the fourth consecutive year, vividly illustrates the point.

Gold Phoenix proved an astute purchase. (Eclipse Sportswire)

Little Red Feather Racing, based on the West Coast, possesses a laser focus when it comes to searching for young turf prospects overseas and relies heavily on the keen eye of bloodstock adviser Niall Dalton. When Gold Phoenix won his debut at Dundalk impressively on Feb. 26, 2021, Dalton and Billy Koch, Little Red Feather’s founder and managing partner, agreed he was everything they were looking for.

They succeeded in their pursuit of the big-striding 3-year-old in keeping to a business model that has worked so well.

“We enjoy turf racing, our partners enjoy turf racing, our trainer, Phil D’Amato, obviously is one of the best in the business when it comes to turf racing,” Koch noted. “Amplify your strengths, right?”

Right.

Koch believes there has been a significant change in the landscape when it comes to acquiring promising horses outside of sales.

“Private purchases in the states have gotten increasingly more difficult,” he said. “Everybody sees every race, and everybody knows what’s going on. We’re all kind of fighting for the same horses. When you go overseas, you have a better chance of finding a diamond in the rough like Gold Phoenix.”

No one could have envisioned that he would blossom into a star or that he would be so unyielding in his battle with time, maintaining top form year after year.

“He’s just been a pleasure to train. He just steadily got better and better,” D’Amato said. “He  turned from an allowance horse to a stakes horse to a graded-stakes horse to a Breeders’ Cup horse.”

The son of Irish stallion Belardo gained automatic, fees-paid entry into this year’s Breeders’ Cup Turf at Del Mar by sweeping the Grade 2 Del Mar Handicap Presented by the Japan Racing Association at 1 3/8 miles for the fourth consecutive year. On Aug. 30, he relied on his customary late kick to emerge as the only horse in track history to capture the same stakes race for four consecutive seasons.

Gold Phoenix has built a significant following through the years. Mark Martinez, who heads Agave Racing Stable, counts himself among the gelding’s many fans. When he heard that a 25% stake in him was being made available at the Keeneland Championship sale just ahead of last year’s Breeders’ Cup, he did not hesitate.

“A partner I know and like, a trainer I use and love, a horse that I’ve always admired, and he’s going to be running in a Breeders’ Cup race in three days, it was kind of a no-brainer,” Martinez said.

Gold Phoenix training for 2024 Breeders' Cup. (Eclipse Sportswire)

Still, there are many who would have their doubts since geldings do not offer any residual value. Beyond that, no matter how remarkable Gold Phoenix might be, the clock is ticking ever louder on his career.

Martinez made a winning bid of $125,000 for the 25% interest and quickly enjoyed a return on investment when the hard-trying veteran took home $250,000 with his second consecutive fourth-place effort in the Turf. He wound up as the highest American finisher in a race loaded with international talent.

Martinez’s mind told him to join Little Red Feather, Sterling Stables, and Marsha Naify. So did his heart.

“Some of this game is not always about money,” he said. “Some of it is just about the experience.”

With his consistency, Gold Phoenix is every owner’s dream. The chestnut has won nine of his 27 starts with three seconds and five thirds for purse earnings of $2,032,587.

“The key to a horse like that is, once you find out what he likes, just keep doing it,” D’Amato said. “Keep him in a pattern and a rhythm where he’s happy to train and he’s giving his all.”

Gold Phoenix with D’Amato before 2022 Breeders’ Cup. (Eclipse Sportswire)

The trainer credited exercise rider Roberto Olguin with helping him to get a good read on the distance-loving Irish import.

Years of experience have made a telling difference in Gold Phoenix’s demeanor.

“He was a high-strung horse in the paddock when we got him,” D’Amato recalled. “Now, he goes in the paddock and poses for everyone. He just sticks his head out there like, ‘I’m the man. Take a look at me and watch what I do on the track.’ ”

With no sign that Gold Phoenix might have lost a step, his connections already are looking ahead to his 8-year-old campaign and the opportunity to spend more time with him.

“He’s just the happiest horse, very sweet,” Koch said. “You can go right up to him and give him carrots and pet him all day long.”

Just don’t forget the carrots.