Got Country Grip attempts to tie horseracing world record this Saturday

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
FORT WORTH, TEXAS—Paint Horse Got Country Grip will attempt to tie the world record of 17 consecutive lifetime races won Saturday, April 19, during the $25,000 Mister Lewie Memorial Handicap at Remington Park in Oklahoma City.

The 5-year-old Solid Paint-Bred gelding recently secured his 16th win during an allowance race March 27, also at Remington Park. By winning his 16th race, Got Country Grip tied the North American record of races won held by Thoroughbred greats Cigar, Citation, Hallowed Dreams and Mister Frisky. If “Grip”—as he is known by racing fans worldwide—performs as usual, he and Hong Kong-based Thoroughbred Silent Witness will be the only two racehorses in modern history to have won 17 consecutive races, and Grip will become the only racehorse in North America to do so. Silent Witness earned his victories from December 2003 through April 2005, and was retired in February 2007. Grip ran and won his first race April 10, 2005.

Sired by Country Quick Dash and out of Got A Grip, Grip will run against a field of four other Paint and Appaloosas, including previous Stakes winners and Running Champions. The field of horses, in post order, include Blue Oyster Cult (ApHC), Tisa Arrow C (ApHC), Bust N Moves, Got Country Grip and Wheels Quick Flash.

The Paint racing and worldwide sensation has already garnered a win in the 400- yard Mister Lewie Memorial Handicap. Last year, Grip cruised past the finish line in 20.17 seconds to earn his 13th win. However there is one change this year—he will be carrying 130 pounds—ten pounds more than the next heaviest horse, during the eighth race of the evening.

Since his first race, Grip has seen little change. He doesn’t know what it is like to run behind the pack, nor does he know what it is like to jump between jockeys and trainers. Ridden solely by 10-time Remington Park leading rider G.R. Carter, Jr., of Oklahoma City, Grip has easily made his way to the front each race. Grip was acquired by his owner Jimmy Maddux of Weatherford, Texas, as part of trade with breeder Linda Fox of Maud, Okla., during his weanling year. Maddux turned him out to pasture to grow up and once the colt was ready sent him to APHA Champion trainer Brandon Parum of Jones, Okla., where he has remained. Since the foursome paired up they have accumulated $257,578 in lifetime earnings to make Got Country Grip Paint racing’s highest money-earning horse of all time.

More about Paint Horse racing

Horse racing has long been one of America’s favorite spectator sports. With the recent growth of the Paint Horse breed, it’s no wonder that Paints have become one of the hottest tickets in the horse racing industry.

Since 1966, when APHA officially recognized the sport, Paint racing has made major strides forward. In that inaugural year, 17 starters ran for $1,290 in just two states—Texas and Oklahoma. In 2007, more than 600 starters competed in more than 700 APHA-recognized races for record purses totaling more than $5 million.

A total of 18 states now feature Paint racing, including Arizona, California, Colorado, Idaho, Kansas, Louisiana, Michigan, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Oregon, South Dakota, Texas, Utah, Washington and Wyoming. Paint Horses also race in Canada.

“Paint Racing continues to be an opportunity for breeders, owners and trainers to take a serious look at,” said APHA Executive Director Lex Smurthwaite. “The amount of purse money available and the average earning per Paint starter is creating new interest in the Paint racing industry.”

For more information on Paint Horse racing, contact APHA’s racing department at (817) 222-6444, email racing@apha.com, or visit paintracing.com.