Formal Gold (foaled April 20, 1993 in Ontario) is a retired Canadian-bred Thoroughbred racehorse who raced in the United States.
[4] Formal Gold was conditioned by William Perry, who was a successful trainer on the mid-Atlantic circuit of racetracks including Monmouth Park and Suffolk Downs.
[5] Formal Gold was a late developing horse, not making his initial start until June 12, 1996, halfway through his three-year-old season.
His talent had already been noticed though, as he went off as the odds-on favorite in a maiden special weight race at Monmouth Park, and won by 18+3⁄4 lengths.
[1] Formal Gold then stepped up to graded stakes company in the Pennsylvania Derby run at Philadelphia Park on September 2.
He gradually made up lost ground and struck the lead in mid-stretch, but the early leader Devil's Home rallied and eventually won by 3⁄4 of a length.
[8] On October 4, Formal Gold entered the Grade I Meadowlands Cup Handicap, facing older horses for the first time.
[14] Accordingly, Formal Gold led every step of the way with Skip Away unable to close the gap, finishing 1+1⁄4 lengths back in second.
[16] He then shipped to Nad Al Sheba racetrack in the United Arab Emirates for the Dubai World Cup on April 3.
[17] After a brief layoff, Formal Gold next raced on May 31 in the $500,000 Massachusetts Handicap at his trainer's home racetrack, Suffolk Downs, where he once again faced Skip Away.
[18][19] On June 14, Formal Gold won the Brooklyn Handicap at Belmont Park by 4+3⁄4 lengths in an excellent time of 1:46.21, despite a track that had been downgraded from fast to good by rain.
[20] Just three weeks later in the Suburban Handicap, Formal Gold and Skip Away hooked up for the third time, with Travers Stakes winner Wills Way also considered a major contender.
"[24] On September 20, Formal Gold was the slight favorite in the Woodward Stakes at Belmont Park, where he once again faced Skip Away and Wills Way.
[19] "I feel bad about this because Formal Gold has shown his talent all year long, and this was his chance to show it to the world", said Perry.
"[26] Eclipse Award voting for Champion Older Male Horse was complicated by the fact that the main candidates had all beaten each other at various times.
The honors ultimately went to Skip Away though, who won his last two races of the year including a commanding win in the Breeders' Cup Classic.