May 20, 2016 
Phillip Dutton has spent more time on the backs of thoroughbreds than many jockeys. The Australamerican has piloted such ex-racehorses as TruLuck and The Foreman around numerous 4* events, and is currently making major strides with 2014 America’s Most Wanted Thoroughbred winner Icabad Crane.
It appears Dutton has found a future project in Ring Weekend, a Grade I winning son of leading stallion Tapit and conditioned by Graham Motion. Prominent racing syndicate West Point Thoroughbreds just announced Dutton has joined the group campaigning the 5-year-old gelding, who has amassed over $1,000,000 in career earnings in just 14 career starts.
Evie and Phillip Dutton with Ring Weekend. Photo courtesy of Anita Motion.
“Phillip and his wife Evie are close friends with Graham and Anita Motion,” said West Point Thoroughbreds President Terry Finley. “At the Thoroughbred Makeover this past fall, Graham mentioned to my daughter Erin that Phillip really likes racing and would love to be involved with a horse like Ring Weekend. We made it happen and are honored to have such a well-respected, successful rider as a part of the West Point family. He’s the Angel Cordero of the eventing world. Phillip has campaigned several Thoroughbreds at the highest levels of the sport and shares our commitment to providing retired racehorses with second careers.”
Dutton with Icabad Crane at the 2015 Thoroughbred Makeover.
As a 3-year-old, Ring Weekend won the Grade II Tampa Bay Derby, Grade III Saranc Stakes and Grade III Hill Prince Stakes. The following year he captured the Grade I Frank E. Kilroe Mile. The gelding is scheduled to make his first start of 2016 on the Preakness Stakes undercard at Pimlico in the Grade II Longines Dixie Stakes.
“I spend a lot of time traveling and competing, but like to spend time at Fair Hill with Graham whenever I can,” said Dutton. “It’s really neat to be involved with a horse of this caliber trained by Graham. I’ve worked with a number of Thoroughbreds over the year and this is a great opportunity to get to know more about racing.”
Motion confirmed there are no immediate plans to retire Ring Weekend from racing, but it’s fair to assume whenever that day comes, Dutton will begin carving out the gelding’s second career.
It was only a matter of time before the Tapits took over the 3-Day Event…
