In 2024, Dornoch wants to do what no other horse has done before: follow in the footsteps of a sibling or half-sibling who has won the Kentucky Derby.

Grandview Equine bred Dornoch, a $325,000 Keeneland September yearling purchased in 2022. He is trained by Danny Gargan, whose best horse of his career has been the 2019 Belmont (G1) fourth-place finisher Tax.

Dornoch is from Good Magic’s second crop, the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile (G1) champion and the 2018 Kentucky Derby runner-up. Dornoch is the full brother of 2023 Kentucky Derby winner Mage because his dam is Puca (by Big Brown, the 2008 Derby winner).

However, many are doubting Dornoch’s ability after beating a weak field in the Fountain of Youth Stakes at Gulfstream. There were multiple critical scratches in the field, and it should have been an easy win for Dornoch.

Due to the lackluster win against a bad field, many fans do not believe the hype behind Dornoch. What do you think?