Mayberry's Keen Eye Vindicated With Englishman

April Mayberry's impeccable eye for Thoroughbred talent has solidified her status as one of horse racing's elite bloodstock agents and juvenile trainers. Operating out of Mayberry Farm near Ocala, Fla., she has demonstrated an uncanny ability to spot a horse's latent greatness long before they ever set foot onto a racetrack. Having already handled legends such as Zenyatta and Flightline, her eye for talent was proven once more when the speedy Englishman burst onto the scene at Saratoga Race Course, taking the Woody Stephens Stakes (G1) in a track-record time for trainer Cherie DeVaux. Mayberry purchased the son of Maxfield as a yearling for $400,000 at the 2024 Keeneland September Yearling Sale. Under her early guidance, Englishman transitioned from a talented colt into a superstar on the racetrack with two back-to-back grade 1 victories, which included the Woody Stephens and H. Allen Jerkens Memorial Stakes (G1). Mayberry proves time and time again her eye for raw talent. The work for a champion begins at the yearling sales. Her approach at the auctions focuses mostly on physicals. Mayberry, who buys horses for Lee and Susan Searing's C R K Stable, stated that when she is working the sales, she looks first and foremost for an athlete. She also said a horse that has a successful pedigree page is important, since they are looking at long-term value, whether it be a broodmare or a possible stallion prospect for the Searings. "I've had a lot of good horses, and the one thing they all have in common is intelligence," Mayberry explained. "They're all very smart and that comes with class. When I walk up to a horse, I want them to engage with me, look at me, know I'm there. "When horses are aloof or they want to kick you and pin their ears, that's going to translate to the breaking process and to the racing end of it." Englishman had everything Mayberry looked for in a horse. "He was just beautiful," she said. "I was actually surprised he didn't bring a little more, strictly because he was so handsome. He was good-sized, beautiful hip and shoulder. Everything about him was really nice. "John Shirreffs (trainer of Zenyatta) had been there and he really liked him, too. I think all the trainers and anyone who looked at him liked him. He was an easy one, so to speak." Mayberry also credited her team that helps her shortlist for her success, which includes Mayberry Farm assistant trainer Kim Harrison, sister Summer Mayberry, Lisa McGreevy, and Tonja Terranova. "Everybody brings something different and it works well because if we're all in agreement on a horse, then that is definitely the horse," Mayberry said. Englishman, who shared the spotlight this summer with his stablemate, Kentucky Derby (G1) and Belmont Stakes (G1) winner Golden Tempo, has stamped himself as one of the fastest 3-year-olds in the country and a top prospect for the Oct. 31 Breeders' Cup Sprint (G1) at Keeneland. "He was the absolute coolest dude ever at the farm. It's funny because every day I watched him gallop, I would think this horse is so cool, I could ride him. He was so laid back, especially for as fast as he is. Usually, they run a little hotter mentally. "Everybody liked him so well and when it works, and you're right, it's a good feeling," Mayberry said. Mayberry said he did everything the right way on the farm. She said that while the horses are in the training process, they still get to go out in their paddocks and be a horse, something Englishman enjoyed and took in stride. "He's the type of horse everybody loves to have in their barn. Whatever you want, he tries," she said. Mayberry stocked up, buying 13 yearlings at the Keeneland September sale, finishing in the top five buyers with gross receipts of $10,445,000 under Mayberry Farm. Her purchases included progeny by Flightline, Gun Runner, Nyquist and, of course, another colt by Maxfield. In addition to a colt by Maxfield, Mayberry has a horse much more closely related to Englishman on her farm. She has his half sister, English Woman (Authentic). C R K Stable purchased the filly for $425,000 at the Ocala Breeders' Sales Spring 2-Year-Olds in Training Sale, after she breezed a furlong in :09 3/5 during the under-tack show. Mayberry said following the filly's speedy work and after discussing it with Searing, they decided to turn her out and let her be a horse for the summer. She recently put tack back on her in August and has been bringing the filly along the past couple of months. "She's got his (Englishman's) personality, which I love," she said. "She's laid back, cool, calm, and collected. When the sales and Breeders' Cup are over, she'll head to the racetrack." Englishman and English Woman give Mayberry a lot to look forward to, especially as the countdown to the Breeders' Cup World Championships begins. Englishman will take on older rivals for the first time with an Eclipse Award on the line. "I don't know the right words other than I am very proud of him," Mayberry said.