ON Saturday March 2, 2024, long-standing rider Everton Stone turned back the hands of time with a spectacular ride atop So Magnificent, beating rivals on the wire to record his first win in many moons.

Stone brought the seven-year-old bay mare So Magnificent from behind runners to nip
Galway Bay and Fiery Path, in a five-year-old and upward Optional Claiming ($180,000-$150,000) call that also included native-bred six-year-olds and upward (non-winners of two) going over 5½ furlongs.

So Magnificent made a poor start as the Linton Calder-owned and -trained mare raced in fourth place behind Fiery Path (Oshadane Robinson), Galway Bay (Omar Walker), and Party Princess (Roger Hewitt). So Magnificent continued to battle at the back of the field as
Galway Bay and Fiery Path accelerated around the half-mile (800m) turn.

Turning for home, Galway Bay and Fiery Path maintained their battle for supremacy, and as both horses collided and lost pace, Stone delivered his mount and grabbed the the opportunity to win.

Fiery Path, who finished third, was promoted to second place following the disqualification of
Galway Bay. The winning time was a pedestrian 1:14.0 (25.0 x 49.4).