Super David Signals 2000 Guineas Promise with Dominant Maiden Breakthrough

Super David may have started his career later than some rivals, but his first two races quickly marked him as a serious three-year-old prospect.

The gelding first appeared on April 26, 2026 and finished third in a four-furlong (800m) contest, beaten 1 1/2 lengths by Wall To Wall and Nebraska. He then returned on May 2 and shed his maiden tag in a native-bred three-year-old race over 6 1/2 furlongs (1,300m) in commanding fashion.

Bred by Patton Proud from Storm Girl, a Storm Craft mare, Super David is owned and trained by David Powell and was ridden by Robert Halledeen. From the break, Halledeen sent him to the lead and the race was effectively over, with the gelding drawing farther clear through each section before scoring with ease. The final time was 1:20.2, with splits of 23.4, 48.1 and 1:13.4.

Powell said the scale of the performance surprised him. “I expected Super David to run a good race with a good chance of winning, but the way he ran, the way he dominated was revealing,” Powell said.

Asked why the horse only debuted at age three, Powell pointed to his training approach and a previous issue. “As a trainer, I don’t like to race my horses at two, I prefer to wait until they actually reach the full age of three. Super David was foaled on April 16, plus he had an injury, and it was then, I decided to geld him,”he said.

Powell also ruled out an immediate run in The Kingston on May 9, the last major trial before the 2000 Guineas. “He will not run in The Kingston on May 9, it is too early after his win on May 2. Instead, Super David will probably get an outing prior to the 2000 Guineas in June,” Powell said.