After loading Carl Spackler  and Chili Flag  onto the van for this yr’s Breeders’ Cup, Bentley Combs departed the barn of Chad Brown to arrange his solo coaching operation as soon as extra after working as an assistant since final March. He’ll saddle his first starter again, Metropolis of Clouds , Nov. 15 at Churchill Downs. Previous to his time with Brown, Combs ran his personal barn from 2017 to early 2024 after working his means as much as assistant coach for Dallas Stewart with horses that included Endlessly Unbridled, Tom’s Prepared, and Unbridled Endlessly.  

He racked up a number of achievements following his first profession victory in 2017. Combs holds a report three consecutive wins in Oaklawn Park‘s Path’s Finish and was Oaklawn main coach in 2023 by proportion. Botswana , acquired off the declare for $30K, achieved graded stakes-placed standing within the Truthful Grounds Stakes (G3T). Unique Intent , claimed for $8,000, gained the Path’s Finish in 2021 and 2022, and capped off his profession putting within the Birdstone Stakes at Saratoga Race Course. 

After these successes and incomes 54 profession wins, a possibility to run Brown’s Kentucky-based string offered itself final spring.  

“On the time, I felt like there was extra to be taught, and working Chad’s barn was an opportunity to boost my stage of data working with so many top-level horses and homeowners,” mentioned Combs. 

Combs particularly appreciated studying from a coach recognized for nice success on the turf in addition to dust.  

“For those who’re not trying to develop and be taught in each state of affairs, you will not enhance and you will not succeed. Working with an Eclipse Award-winning coach actually helped me and I am grateful for that chance,” he mentioned.  

He and his spouse, Kaela, whom he married in December 2022, predict their first baby in January, which makes the transfer much more well timed for the 36-year-old. The rising purses in Kentucky definitely did not damage the choice to remain within the Commonwealth.      

Combs’ short-term plan consists of beginning off slowly buying horses off the declare. However he will even be readily available with purchasers on the upcoming Keeneland Horses of Racing Age sale with a watch to including to his steady. His long-term imaginative and prescient features a numerous barn, with 2-year-olds to reach subsequent spring, the place he can put his coaching philosophy into motion as soon as once more.  

“I imagine each horse is a novel particular person,” he mentioned. “I imagine in custom-tailoring a program to every one and I’ve had success doing simply that.”   

Combs is at present primarily based at Churchill Downs’ Trackside Coaching Heart. 

This press launch has been edited for content material and elegance by BloodHorse Workers.