Maywood Stud's Classic Winner: Gstaad
Kelly Thomas of Maywood Stud, located in Pencader, a small village in Carmarthenshire, Wales, bred the Classic-winning horse Gstaad. Thomas's passion for horses is evident upon entering her home, where trophies from Gstaad’s victories—including the Breeders’ Cup, Coventry Stakes, and Irish 2,000 Guineas—are prominently displayed alongside photos of his track achievements.
As Gstaad prepares for a highly anticipated rematch against 2,000 Guineas winner Bow Echo in the St James's Palace Stakes at Royal Ascot on Tuesday, 16 June, Thomas reflects on the horse's early promise.
"That foal always had a profile since the minute he drew breath, he was always likely to be quite valuable,"
Gstaad secured a commanding win at the Irish 2,000 Guineas held at Curragh, while Bow Echo claimed victory in the 2,000 Guineas.
Gstaad’s dam, Mosa Mine, was originally bred at Maywood Stud. Despite a winless racing career, Thomas repurchased her for £800.
"But they've still got to come out with everything put in the right way and be a nice quality animal for them to really reach the potential that they possibly could do,"
"He was a really lovely foal. I couldn't fault him really. We were really lucky."
Gstaad won the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf in November 2025. As a foal, he was sold for 450,000 guineas (£472,500) to M V Magnier, representing the prominent Coolmore and Ballydoyle operation in Ireland.
"We had an idea of who'd be putting their hand up for him, so to have that team buy him was very pleasing for us."
Gstaad was trained by Aidan O'Brien, one of the most decorated trainers in racing history and the leading figure at Ballydoyle.
"It sounds like a lot of money, but it costs a lot of money to do it."
"If you don't have things to sell every year, then you need to look after that money because you might never, ever get another sale like that."
Vandeek’s Achievements
Although Gstaad is Thomas's first Classic winner, she has previously experienced significant success on the track with Vandeek, a half-brother to Gstaad and a son of Havana Grey out of Mosa Mine. Trained by Simon and Ed Crisford, Vandeek was unbeaten as a juvenile and achieved a Group 1 double by winning the Prix Morny and Middle Park Stakes, earning the distinction of the highest-rated British-trained two-year-old of 2023.
"He was such a big frame when he was born, he was quite unfurnished at the time,"
"He just had such long legs. He looks like a spider, you know, such long legs. But gorgeous at the same time.
During his foal prep, he was doing a bit of exercise, walking, learning the ropes, and he really started to build a physique that I'd be more used to in a sprinter.
So he was getting more muscular on top and he was a great walker. He was very sharp and I was like, 'I really like this foal'."
Maywood Stud sold Vandeek as a foal for 52,000 guineas (£54,600). He went on to earn £445,000 in prize money and currently stands as a stallion at Cheveley Park Stud.
Bow Echo vs. Gstaad: The Rematch at Royal Ascot
The St James's Palace Stakes, one of three Group 1 races on the opening day of Royal Ascot, features a rematch between the 2,000 Guineas winner Bow Echo and the Irish 2,000 Guineas winner Gstaad.
Bow Echo, trained by George Boughey and ridden by 20-year-old Billy Loughnane, delivered an impressive performance to defeat Ryan Moore’s mount in the 2,000 Guineas by two and three-quarter lengths. In response, Moore and Gstaad secured victory in the Irish 2,000 Guineas.
Aidan O'Brien, the most successful trainer in Royal Ascot history, prepares Gstaad for this important race. Thomas will travel from Carmarthenshire to Ascot to support her horse.
"It's been an unreal journey. Unreal,"
"To have a classic winning horse is a dream. I'm not even sure I even aimed that high, to be honest.
I wanted to breed a group one winner by the time I was 40. I was 45."
