How Many Horses Does Brad Cox Train — And How Many Are Running in the Kentucky Derby 2025?

Brad Cox might not be the loudest name on Derby weekend, but his horses often do the talking for him. A Louisville native turned powerhouse trainer, Cox is no stranger to Churchill Downs. From a teenage hotwalker to a Derby-winning conditioner, the man has worked his way to the top—barn by barn, horse by horse. And now, in 2025, he’s got another shot to add more roses to his résumé.

It’s not the first time he’s had more than one in the gate either. With a stable of over 100 horses, Cox has become a staple in the biggest races coast to coast. But what makes this year different? Two of his boys—Tappan Street and Final Gambit—have earned their spots in the 151st Run for the Roses. And while the spotlight shines on others, Cox’s camp is quietly confident.

He’s already been here before. Mandaloun gave him a taste of Derby glory in 2021 (after Medina Spirit’s disqualification), and now, Cox is back with two very different colts and one common goal: to prove he belongs in the upper tier of Derby legends.

An overview of Brad Cox’s training operation

Brad Cox’s rise didn’t come overnight. As of 2018, he managed approximately 100 horses across four tracks, and those numbers have only grown since. With a career that began in 2005, Cox now boasts over 2,500 wins and lifetime earnings north of $200 million. Horses like Monomoy Girl, Knicks Go, and Essential Quality have all passed through his care, adding prestige and polish to a resume that now speaks for itself.

What sets him apart is his work ethic. While he didn’t come from a family of horsemen, Cox clawed his way up through the ranks—hotwalking, grooming, and learning the trade under names like Dallas Stewart. He’s still known for his hands-on training and for operating with the same hunger he had back when he had 15 horses, not 100. That same grit is what’s brought him back to the Derby stage year after year.

In 2025, Cox’s barn remains a powerhouse, boasting a 26% win rate and over $9 million in earnings already this year. With Final Gambit and Tappan Street making the cut, Cox is once again poised to crash the Derby party with firepower—and maybe surprise a few folks along the way.

Cox’s Derby contenders in 2025

Final Gambit is a Kentucky-bred gray colt who’s quickly become the sentimental favorite. A Juddmonte Farms homebred, he’s never raced outside the state—and he’s looked solid doing it. After winning the Jeff Ruby Steaks at Turfway Park by more than three lengths, Cox decided to roll the dice on Derby Day. The 30-1 shot will break from post No. 3, the same gate as last year’s winner Mystik Dan, with first-time Derby jockey Luan Machado in the saddle.

Cox himself didn’t always plan on sending Final Gambit to the Derby. But with momentum, local ties, and solid prep form, the colt has earned his shot. “He’s moving fantastically. His energy is through the roof,” Cox said earlier this week. Even Machado agrees, noting how the colt has taken well to Churchill’s dirt in training. While untested on dirt in races, Final Gambit’s versatility might be his secret weapon.

Tappan Street, meanwhile, brings a different kind of game. With 10-1 odds and a Florida Derby win under his belt, this colt has proven he can hang with the best. Co-owned by WinStar Farm and Cold Press Racing, he enters with a sharp resume and a solid second-place finish in the Holy Bull Stakes. Luis Saez gets the ride, and with a favorable post draw, many insiders see him as a legitimate sleeper pick who could shake up the front runners.

Brad Cox is chasing more than just a win—he’s building a legacy. Whether it’s the hometown ties, the comeback energy of Final Gambit, or the raw talent of Tappan Street, this year’s Derby is as much about storylines as it is about speed. With proven consistency, a loaded barn, and a knack for surprising the field, Cox isn’t just a trainer with two horses—he’s a major factor in the race.

And while Journalism leads the chatter as the morning-line favorite, don’t count out the quiet contender from Louisville. Cox is ready, his colts are primed, and come post time on May 3, the blue and white silks might just be the ones to watch when it matters most.

The post How Many Horses Does Brad Cox Train — And How Many Are Running in the Kentucky Derby 2025? appeared first on EssentiallySports.