Stamina is king in the American turf division, and our newest ready-made Euro purchase, Kertez, can definitely ‘get the distance’ to be a major factor in marathon turf races in 2024 and beyond.

Trained by the legendary Andre Fabre in France, Kertez is stakes placed at ages three, four, and five and is coming off clearly his best season yet. He ran a terrific second in the 1 1/2-mile Group 2 Grand Prix de Chantilly, bested only by the excellent Simca Mille, a Group 1 and five-time Group winner who would be among the favorites in the Breeders’ Cup Turf if he had come over.

Kertez placed in four other Group races in 2023, ranging from 10-12 furlongs, and most recently scored a victory at Saint-Cloud going 1 3/8 miles. He’s run well on both firm and soft turf and is as consistent as the day is long, running worse than fourth only twice in 18 career starts. He’s got pedigree power as well, being bred by the legendary Wertheimer brothers, hailing from a Group 1-winning son of Galileo and a Distorted Humor half-sister to Group 1 winner Falco.

He’ll turn six in 2024, which still makes him a young man in this division. Red Knight won a Grade I this spring at age nine, Therapist won a Grade I this summer at age eight and Channel Maker won a Grade II this summer at age nine. The distance turf ranks are crying out for a new face to come take America by storm, and Kertez fits the bill as a tried-and-true marathoner with class and heartiness in the best form of his life.