NEWS AND EVENTS

By Breeders' Cup Notes Team Dorth Vader, a Florida homebred, is the third choice in the Longines Breeders' Cup Distaff. She almost didn't make it due to foot issues during her dam's pregnancy, but was saved by a dedicated blacksmith. Named after the owner's wife and a...

By Breeder's Cup Press Office Dorth Vader, a third choice in the Longines Breeders' Cup Distaff, has made it to the world stage thanks to a series of correct decisions throughout her life. Bred by John Ropes out of Hardcore Candy and sired by Girvin, Dorth Vader...

At the end of 2024 when owner John Ropes weighed retiring his homebred filly Dorth Vader  against bringing her back to race at 5 this season, his checkmarks in the pro-racing column included three achievements he'd love to see her accomplish. In talking things over...

By David Grening Thorpedo Anna won a thrilling Grade 1 Personal Ensign Stakes at Saratoga, narrowly defeating Dorth Vader in a photo finish. Trainer Kenny McPeek praised his champion filly for her bravery in the race. Thorpedo Anna earned a fees-paid berth into the...

By Brock Sheridan Dorth Vader, a homebred of John Ropes, will be competing in the $500,000 Personal Ensign at Saratoga Race Course, aiming for her second Grade 1 victory of the year. She will be facing off against Thorpedo Anna and five other fillies and mares. Dorth...

By Molly Rollins John Ropes, a breeder and owner in the racing industry for 45 years, achieved his first grade 1 victory with homebred filly Dorth Vader in the Ogden Phipps Stakes. Ropes focuses on breeding and selling horses, with a passion for the babies and mares....

By Chelsea Hackbarth Thoroughbred owner and breeder John Ropes named a horse, Dorth Vader, after his wife Dorothy Harden, who is a Star Wars fan. Dorth Vader recently won the Grade 1 Ogden Phipps at Belmont Stakes Racing Festival. Despite facing setbacks and injuries,...

BY SARAH WELK BAYNUM John Ropes, a Florida native and real estate consultant, has been involved in the horse racing business for over 40 years. He owns a small farm in Ocala where he breeds, trains, and races horses. His most successful horse, Dorth Vader, won the...

By Bill Heller John Ropes, a successful businessman and Thoroughbred owner, experienced the highs and lows of the racing industry before celebrating his first graded stakes victory with Dorth Vader in the Davona Dale Stakes at Gulfstream Park. Despite setbacks and...

By Chris McGrath John Ropes started panning for gold in the horse racing industry 40 years ago. He bought a racehorse, Happy Saver, who has been incredibly successful. Ropes made a smart decision to breed Happy Saver's dam, Happy Week, to an A.P. Indy-line sire,...