RICH STRIKE’S trainer Eric Reed has sensationally quit amid a bitter row over movie rights.
His Derby win was like something out of a blockbuster film, but his big-screen debut has been put on ice indefinitely.
Eric Reed (red jacket) and Eric Dawson (red cap) after Rich Strike’s Kentucky Derby win
Rich Strike caused one of the biggest upsets in Kentucky Derby history when he charged home under Sonny Leon in 2022.
Remarkably, he wasn’t meant to be in the final field, but Ethereal Road’s last-minute withdrawal saw him sneak in with seconds to spare.
Costing a measly $30,000, his story wouldn’t be amiss on TV, but the Rich Strike journey has taken another shocking twist.
Reed informed owner Rick Dawson that he was resigning as trainer on Thursday after Dawson gave him an ultimatum.
Dawson told Reed that if he didn’t drop the movie project, he would move the horse elsewhere, and Reed felt he had no choice but to step away.
Reed told Thoroughbred Daily News: “I have to do what’s best for my family – ultimatums never work.
“It’s a very sad day because I love Richie. This was a difficult decision but, really, I was given no choice.”
Omaha Productions, the media company owned by former NFL star Peyton Manning, was set to make a movie about Reed, his Dad Herbie and Rich Strike’s Derby win.
As the story centres on Reed and his Dad, with Rich Strike’s Derby win being a cameo, Dawson was not involved in the process.
The owner was adamant that he should be involved, however, as the Reed’s story couldn’t be told without a significant portion about Rich Strike.
With no agreement able to be reached, Rich Strike is heading to pastures new, though no destination has been confirmed.
Since his Derby win, Rich Strike has gone on a six-race losing streak, taking his overall record to 2-14.
He was seen on Derby weekend earlier this month, finishing a distant fifth of six in the Grade 2 Alysheba Stakes.
