Cross Border, a multiple graded stakes-winning millionaire, was last seen on Travers Day at Saratoga in the prestigious Grade 1, $750,000 Sword Dancer Stakes. The 8-year-old New York-bred son of English Channel is now part of the Keri Brion barn and will kick off his National Steeplechase Association career at the Far Hill Races in New Jersey next month, running in the inaugural $100,000 John Forbes stakes over the turf at two miles.
Cross Border, who is owned by the Wycoff family's Three Diamonds Farm, has won 11 times in 44 career starts over seven seasons. Along the way, he has earned $1,171,479, mostly while under the care of trainer Mike Maker. He has finished second eight times, and third, five. He is a two-time winner of the G2 Bowling Green at Saratoga, and over his long and productive career boasts victories over classy competition including Channel Maker, Rockemperor, Tribhuvan, Sadler's Joy, and Red Knight. In the Sword Dancer, Cross Border finished fifth of 10, but only five lengths behind the winner, Gufo.
Three Diamonds has been involved in racing since the mid-2000s, initially at Mid-Atlantic tracks with trainer Michael Trombetta. Their activity increased after they also began sending horses to trainers Todd Pletcher and Mike Maker, with Maker having most of the stable. And Cross Border isn't the Wycoff's first jumper. In 2018, they had a 4-year-old gelding named Electro, a veteran of 22 starts on the flat, who made his lone hurdle start in a maiden race at the Radnor Hunt Races for trainer Ricky Hendriks.
In an interview with the National Steeplechase Association's Tod Marks, Three Diamonds managing partner Jordan Wycoff said: “Our family has been in show jumpers for as long as I can remember, but never had string of steeplechase horses. My father-in-law (Frank Mullins) is president of Aiken Steeplechase and has just built an unbelievable new one-mile track down there; that has certainly been a driving factor.
“Cross Border is indeed still running very well and obviously loves his job, but he is 8-years-old and has given us his all for quite some time now. We feel the time is right for a change in scenario, and his demeanor (and) high energy level makes us think this could suit him.”
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