DistantNews
Support us
Burnham Square, the horse winning races since living with... Messi
🇦🇷 Argentina /Sports

Burnham Square, the horse winning races since living with... Messi

From La Nación · () Spanish

Translated from Spanish, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

In-depth Named sources Context piece
  • A racehorse named Burnham Square has achieved significant success since being paired with a goat named Messi.
  • The goat, nicknamed 'Messi' after the soccer star and the word for 'goat', calms the horse during transport, transforming its behavior.
  • This unusual companionship has led to Burnham Square's improved performance, including a victory in the prestigious Arlington Million.

An unlikely friendship between a champion racehorse and a goat has become the secret behind recent victories on the North American turf. Burnham Square, the recent winner of the prestigious million-dollar Arlington Million (G1), has undergone a remarkable transformation, attributed not to training or diet, but to its constant companion: a goat named Messi.

Messi is the GOAT. The wordplay was perfect for them, including several Latinos.

— Unspecified stud membersExplaining the origin of the goat's nickname.

Before Messi's arrival, Burnham Square was a talented but highly anxious horse during transport. Each journey from the stable to the racetrack was fraught with tension, as the horse would kick and become agitated, arriving at its destination physically and mentally drained. Trainer Ian Wilkes and his team sought a simple solution: an animal companion.

That companion turned out to be a young goat, affectionately nicknamed 'Messi' by the stable staff. The name is a playful nod to the soccer legend, the "Greatest Of All Time" (GOAT), and the English word for goat. This "goat" connection, a mix of admiration for the athlete and a literal interpretation, proved to be the perfect remedy.

Before, he would spend the whole trip kicking. Now he doesn't kick once. He has his little goat next to him and everything has changed.

— Ian WilkesDescribing the change in Burnham Square's behavior during transport.

Since Messi began traveling with Burnham Square, the horse's behavior has completely changed. He now travels calmly, without the nervous kicking that previously plagued him. "He has his little goat next to him and everything has changed," Wilkes explained. The bond is so strong that Wilkes believes it's mutual: "I think Messi needs him as much as Burnham Square needs Messi." The goat even follows Burnham Square to his stall without a lead rope after they disembark from transport.

I think Messi needs him as much as Burnham Square needs Messi.

— Ian WilkesCommenting on the strong bond between the horse and the goat.

Attempts with a stuffed animal failed to soothe Burnham Square, but the live goat's presence has made a profound difference. The horse's assistant trainer, César Morales, noted that the goat "cries until he returns" when Burnham Square goes out for training. This unique partnership has not only calmed the horse but has propelled his racing career to new heights, culminating in his impressive Arlington Million victory.

When the horse leaves the truck, the goat simply follows him to the box. You don't even need to lead him with a rope.

— Ian WilkesIllustrating the close relationship between Burnham Square and Messi.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by La Nación in Spanish. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

More Stories

From Our Blog