He stormed onto the racing scene in 2024 and hasn’t looked back since. But what makes Citizen Bull one of the most talked-about names heading into the 2025 Kentucky Derby? With a star-studded pedigree, an award-winning two-year-old campaign, and the backing of a powerhouse team, this colt’s journey is one for the books. Still, after a recent fourth-place finish, questions linger. Can he deliver when it matters most?
This deep dive uncovers everything fans want to know about Citizen Bull — from his bloodline and big wins to his connections and chances on the First Saturday in May. Let’s break down the key figures behind his rise and whether this Into Mischief colt can join the list of Derby legends.
Who owns Citizen Bull?
Citizen Bull is campaigned by a high-profile ownership group that reads like a Who’s Who of the Thoroughbred racing world. The syndicate includes SF Racing LLC, Starlight Racing, Madaket Stables LLC, Stonestreet Stables LLC, Dianne Bashor, Determined Stables, Robert E. Masterson, Tom J. Ryan, Waves Edge Capital LLC, and Catherine Donovan. These names are not new to Kentucky Derby fans — many of them were connected to previous stars such as Authentic, Messier, and Reincarnate. Their combined experience has helped shape Citizen Bull’s path to the Derby with an eye for high-level competition and championship-caliber performance.
Several of these owners have deep Derby credentials, with Authentic’s 2020 victory serving as a recent highlight. In partnering again for Citizen Bull, the ownership group is aiming to replicate that glory. They purchased the colt for $675,000 at the 2023 Keeneland September Yearling Sale, recognizing his immense potential early. With both seasoned and visionary ownership behind him, Citizen Bull is well-supported on every front.
Who is the trainer of Citizen Bull?
Bob Baffert needs no introduction in the realm of horse racing. A six-time Kentucky Derby-winning trainer, Baffert ties with Ben Jones for the most wins in the event’s history. After a brief hiatus from the Derby due to suspension, Baffert returns in 2025 with a serious arsenal, and Citizen Bull is among his top charges. Known for training legends like American Pharoah and Justify, Baffert has once again worked his magic in conditioning Citizen Bull for peak performance.
Under Baffert’s watch, Citizen Bull has transformed from a talented juvenile into a Derby-ready competitor. His workouts leading into the Derby have been described as sharp and professional, and Baffert himself has acknowledged the colt’s challenges and progress. Following the Santa Anita Derby, Baffert commented, “He got tired. He’s a heavy horse. The track was deep today. We will figure this out.” That honesty reflects Baffert’s attention to conditioning and his belief in the colt’s upside potential.
Who is Citizen Bull’s jockey?
Martin Garcia, a seasoned jockey with Derby experience, will take the reins aboard Citizen Bull at Churchill Downs. Garcia has previously piloted horses like Dortmund to strong Kentucky Derby finishes, and his partnership with Baffert has yielded successful campaigns in the past. Despite going winless in four prior Derby rides, Garcia’s tactical awareness and comfort in high-pressure situations make him a dependable asset for a colt with early speed like Citizen Bull.
Garcia has been aboard Citizen Bull in all his graded stakes victories, including the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile and the Robert B. Lewis Stakes. Their chemistry is evident in the way Garcia manages Citizen Bull’s front-running style, allowing him to relax just enough to unleash his stamina late. In a 20-horse Derby field, Garcia’s experience will be crucial for navigating traffic and setting the pace without overexerting too early.
What are Citizen Bull’s career Earnings?
As of April 2025, Citizen Bull has amassed $1,451,000 in career earnings, a figure that reflects his dominance in Grade 1 company and consistency across key Derby preps. With a record of 6 starts, including 4 wins, 0 seconds, and 1 third, Citizen Bull has rarely missed the board and boasts one of the strongest financial ledgers among Derby contenders this year.
Much of his earnings came from marquee wins such as the 2024 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile at Del Mar and the American Pharoah Stakes at Santa Anita. His Grade 3 Robert B. Lewis win in early 2025 further padded his bank account and established him as a serious contender in the Derby conversation. While his fourth-place effort in the Santa Anita Derby left some questions, it also reaffirmed his durability against top competition.
What are Citizen Bull’s racing stats and past performances?
Citizen Bull’s journey to the Kentucky Derby has been both impressive and educational. His breakout moment came on Nov. 1, 2024, when he shocked the field at 15-1 odds to win the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile by 1 1/2 lengths, solidifying his status as the top two-year-old in North America. Prior to that, he had taken the American Pharoah Stakes with a confident two-length score, demonstrating his ability to handle two turns and graded stakes competition.
In 2025, he started his three-year-old campaign with a strong win in the Grade 3 Robert B. Lewis Stakes, defeating Rodriguez and Madaket Road with a final time of 1:36.71 over a mile. However, his fourth-place finish in the Santa Anita Derby suggested that he might be peaking too early or affected by surface conditions. Even so, his front-running style, tactical speed, and ability to win at different distances make him a real threat in the Derby field.
What is Citizen Bull’s pedigree and bloodline?
Citizen Bull hails from a distinguished lineage that screams class and versatility. His sire, Into Mischief, is one of North America’s leading sires, responsible for producing champions like Authentic, Life Is Good, and Mandaloun. Into Mischief imparts blistering speed and tenacity, qualities that Citizen Bull has inherited in spades. On the dam side, No Joke is by Distorted Humor, another top sire known for producing Kentucky Derby winner Funny Cide and a slew of Grade 1 competitors.
With the likes of Harlan’s Holiday, Mr. Prospector, and Unbridled’s Song appearing prominently in his bloodline, Citizen Bull’s pedigree is a balanced blend of early brilliance and staying power. His dam line, traced to family 9-e, is known for producing tough, resilient horses that thrive in top-tier competition. That mix of precocity and depth is what gives Citizen Bull a genuine chance at Derby glory.
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