Mystik Dan

Mystik Dan (foaled March 4, 2021) is an American Thoroughbred racehorse.^[3] Jockeyed by Brian Hernandez Jr., he won the 2024 Kentucky Derby by a nose, beating Sierra Leone and Forever Young with a time of 2:03.34.^[4]

Mystik Dan
Mystik Dan in 2024
Sire	Goldencents
Grandsire	Into Mischief
Dam	Ma'am
Damsire	Colonel John
Sex	Colt
Foaled	(2021-03-04) March 4, 2021 (age 4) Kentucky, U.S.[1]
Country	United States
Color	Bay
Breeder	Homebred
Owner	Lance Gasaway, Daniel Hamby, 4G Racing, and Valley View Farm
Trainer	Kenneth McPeek
Record	14: 4 – 3 – 1
Earnings	US$4,467,120[2]
Major wins
Southwest Stakes (2024) Blame Stakes (2025) American Triple Crown wins: Kentucky Derby (2024)
Last updated on June 29, 2025

Background

Mystik Dan is a bay colt bred in Kentucky by Lance Gasaway and Daniel Hamby.^[5] His name is derived by a combination of Hamby's father's first name (Dan) with his father's first business venture (Mystik Tape).^[6] He is a descendent of Darley Arabian.^[7]

Mystik Dan's dam Ma'am was bought by trainer Kenneth McPeek for the owners and he recommended the mating of Goldencents to her. The colt was foaled at his Magdalena Farm near Lexington. Goldencents, a two-time Grade 1 Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile winner, stands for $10,000 at Spendthrift Farm in Kentucky (2024).^[8]

Statistics

Date	Distance	Race	Grade	Track	Odds	Field	Finish	Winning Time	Winning (Losing) Margin	Jockey	Ref
2023 – Two-year-old season
Oct 22, 2023	6+1⁄2 furlongs	Maiden Special Weight		Keeneland	12.83	11	2	1:18.24	(1+1⁄4 lengths)	Brian Hernandez Jr.	[9]
Nov 12, 2023	5+1⁄2 furlongs	Maiden Special Weight		Churchill Downs	0.82*	10	1	1:35.68	7+3⁄4 lengths	Brian Hernandez Jr.	[10]
Nov 25, 2023	1 mile	Allowance		Churchill Downs	2.14*	11	5	1:37.94	(8 lengths)	Brian Hernandez Jr.	[11]
2024 – Three-year-old season
Jan 1, 2024	1+1⁄16 miles	Smarty Jones Stakes	Listed	Oaklawn Park	7.90	9	5	1:44.59	(3+1⁄4 lengths)	Julien Leparoux	[12]
Feb 3, 2024	1+1⁄16 miles	Southwest Stakes	III	Oaklawn Park	11.40	11	1	1:43.67	8 lengths	Brian Hernandez Jr.	[13]
Mar 30, 2024	1+1⁄8 miles	Arkansas Derby	I	Oaklawn Park	4.00	10	3	1:49.54	(6+1⁄4 lengths)	Brian Hernandez Jr.	[14]
May 4, 2024	1+1⁄4 miles	Kentucky Derby	I	Churchill Downs	18.61	20	1	2:03.34	nose	Brian Hernandez Jr.	[15]
May 18, 2024	1+3⁄16 miles	Preakness Stakes	I	Pimlico	2.40*	8	2	1:56.82	(2+1⁄4 lengths)	Brian Hernandez Jr.	[16]
Jun 8, 2024	1+1⁄4 miles	Belmont Stakes	I	Saratoga	6.40	10	8	2:01.64	(15+4⁄4 lengths)	Brian Hernandez Jr.	[17]
Dec 26, 2024	7 furlongs	Malibu Stakes	I	Santa Anita	3.10	6	6	1:21.54	(11+1⁄4 lengths)	Brian Hernandez Jr.	[18]
2025 – Four-year-old season
Jan 25, 2025	1+1⁄8 miles	Pegasus World Cup	I	Gulfstream Park	12.30	11	9	1:48.05	(20+3⁄4 lengths)	Brian Hernandez Jr.	[19]
May 3, 2025	1+1⁄16 miles	Lake Ouachita Stakes		Oaklawn Park	1.60	6	2	1:42.25	(nose)	Francisco Arrieta	[20]
May 31, 2025	1+1⁄8 miles	Blame Stakes	III	Churchill Downs	3.06	7	1	1:48.45	1+1⁄4 lengths	Brian Hernandez Jr.	[21]
Jun 28, 2025	1+1⁄8 miles	Stephen Foster Stakes	I	Churchill Downs	5.30	6	4	1:47.48	(2+1⁄2 lengths)	Brian Hernandez Jr.	[22]

Notes:
An (*) asterisk after the odds means Mystik Dan was the post-time favorite.

Pedigree

Pedigree of Mystik Dan, Bay, foaled March 4, 2021^[1]

Sire Goldencents (2010)	Into Mischief (2005)	Harlan's Holiday (1999)	Harlan (1989)
			Christmas in Aiken (1992)
		Leslie's Lady (1996)	Tricky Creek (1986)
			Crystal Lady (1990)
	Golden Works (2000)	Banker's Gold (1994)	Forty Niner (1985)
			Banker's Lady (1985)
		Body Works (CAN) (1989)	Bold Ruckus (1976)
			Kinto (1980)
Dam Ma'am (2013)	Colonel John (2005)	Tiznow (1997)	Cee's Tizzy (1987)
			Cee's Song (1986)
		Sweet Damsel (1995)	Turkoman (1982)
			Grande Dame (1986)
	Lady Siphonica (2002)	Siphon (BRZ) (1991)	Itajara (BRZ) (1983)
			Ebrea (1979)
		Cherokee Crossing (1991)	Cherokee Colony (1985)
			Sky Meadows (1986)