Vincent Conanan reminisces often about his past interactions with the late NHL star Johnny Gaudreau, with whom he shared a hockey background. Discovering old text messages from Gaudreau on his phone gives Conanan a sense of nostalgia. As a regular purchaser of thoroughbred yearlings for Next Level Stables, Conanan decided to honor Gaudreau by naming a racehorse after him due to his son’s curiosity about the renowned player. Meanwhile, Devon Bradley of Bradley Thoroughbreds, who attended school in Columbus, Ohio, where Gaudreau played his final two seasons with the Blue Jackets, had a similar idea. Both Johnny Hockey and Gaudreau, the horses named after the NHL star, will compete in the Grade 1 Champagne race at Belmont Park in New York on Saturday.
The two colts, Johnny Hockey and Gaudreau, were born a month apart in the winter of 2024. The tragic passing of Gaudreau and his brother Matthew on August 29, 2024, in a bicycle accident near their New Jersey hometown deeply impacted many people. Bradley, moved by the positive sentiments shared about Johnny, registered the names Johnny Hockey and Gaudreau with the Jockey Club. Witnessing U.S. athletes celebrating with Gaudreau’s children, wearing his No. 13 jersey after winning gold at the Olympics, further inspired the choice of these names for the horses. Bradley opted for the name Gaudreau after finding that Johnny Hockey was already in use, emphasizing the importance of selecting a powerful and meaningful name for their horse.
Conanan, seeking insight from the trainer at his Florida farm, chose to name his horse after Johnny based on the recommendation that it displayed strong effort and determination, akin to the late hockey player’s character. Gaudreau and Johnny Hockey both achieved victories early in their racing careers, with high hopes pinned on their future successes. Gaudreau is under the guidance of renowned trainer Chad Brown, with jockey Flavien Prat leading his races. The anticipation surrounding these horses is substantial, with expectations set based on their pedigrees and initial performances.
The upcoming race at Belmont Park positions Gaudreau as the second favorite behind U.S.S. Valor, with odds of 8-5, while Johnny Hockey is considered a 30-1 long shot. Conanan plans to extend an invitation to Johnny and Matthew Gaudreau’s parents to the Breeders’ Cup at Keeneland in Lexington, Ky., if his horse manages to secure a victory. Conanan believes that his horse possesses a special quality and is poised to give its best efforts, reminiscent of Johnny Gaudreau’s competitive spirit and dedication.
