The narrative of Formidable Man, a standout Thoroughbred currently making waves on the Southern California turf circuit, began not in the winner’s circle of a Grade 1 race, but during a chance encounter in the heart of Kentucky’s horse country. Several years ago, while visiting the Bluegrass State, Andrew Warren, son of legendary owner and philanthropist William K. “Bill” Warren Jr., was approached by two Canadian women. The conversation eventually turned toward his father, a man whose reputation in industry, philanthropy, and sport precedes him. Dazzled by a brief summary of the elder Warren’s lifetime of achievement, one of the women remarked, “We hear you’re The Man.” This playful exchange, characterized by warmth and mutual respect, eventually evolved into a moniker for a promising young colt. When the time came to name a son of City of Light destined for the fuchsia and teal silks of William and Suzanne Warren, "Formidable Man" was the natural choice.
Bill Warren, who will celebrate his 92nd birthday this September, recalls the anecdote with characteristic humility. While he admits the name has a certain resonance given his storied career, he is quick to credit others for the inspiration. “We had fun talking about it,” Warren noted recently from his home. “But it didn’t originate with me, and it’s awful nice of anyone who’d associate me with the name.” Despite his modesty, the name fits. Whether in the boardroom, the research lab, or the racetrack, Warren has spent decades establishing a legacy of excellence and formidable influence.
A Legacy of Industry and Philanthropy
To understand the weight behind the name Formidable Man, one must look at the expansive footprint Bill Warren has left on American life. As the leader of the oil and gas exploration companies founded by his father, William K. Warren Sr., he steered a multi-generational energy empire that helped define the economic landscape of the mid-continent. However, his business acumen is arguably surpassed by his commitment to altruism. Through the William K. Warren Foundation, he has funneled hundreds of millions of dollars into medical research, healthcare services, and education.
Perhaps the most significant monument to this commitment is the Warren Center for Neuroscience Drug Discovery at the Vanderbilt University School of Medicine. Established with a $20 million gift, the center represents a cutting-edge effort to translate basic science into real-world treatments for devastating neurological disorders. His influence also extends to the world of professional sports. As the former president of Southern Hills Country Club in Tulsa, Oklahoma, Warren was instrumental in bringing major sporting events to his hometown, including the U.S. Open and the PGA Championship. His ability to navigate high-stakes environments—whether a boardroom or a major championship golf course—has long made him a "formidable" figure in every sense of the word.
The Pursuit of Excellence on the Turf
In the world of Thoroughbred racing, the Warren name is synonymous with champions. The family’s fuchsia and teal silks have been carried by some of the most talented horses of the 21st century. Chief among them was Saint Liam, the 2005 Breeders’ Cup Classic (G1) winner and Horse of the Year. Named for Warren’s father, Saint Liam remains the gold standard for the stable, a horse of immense power and grace whose career was tragically cut short by a freak accident at Lane’s End Farm just as his stud career was beginning. Despite having only one crop of foals, Saint Liam sired the 2011 Horse of the Year, Havre de Grace, ensuring his genetic legacy would endure.
More recently, the Warrens campaigned City of Light, a horse that mirrored the "formidable" nature of his owners. City of Light’s career was a masterclass in versatility and dominance, highlighted by victories in the 2018 Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile (G1) and a spectacular finale in the 2019 Pegasus World Cup Invitational Stakes (G1). It is City of Light who sired Formidable Man, creating a generational link between the Warrens’ past successes and their current aspirations.
Formidable Man’s Rise at Del Mar
As the 2025 racing season unfolds, Formidable Man has emerged as a specialist at Del Mar, the seaside oval known as the place "where the turf meets the surf." On July 26, the colt will attempt to secure a record-breaking sixth stakes victory on the Del Mar grass in the $250,000 Eddie Read Stakes (G2T). The 1 1/8-mile contest serves as a pivotal test for the four-year-old, who has already compiled an enviable resume at the track.
Formidable Man’s 2024 campaign was nothing short of brilliant. He captured the Oceanside Stakes, the Del Mar Derby (G2T), and the Hollywood Derby (G1T), establishing himself as the premier three-year-old turf runner in California. His only significant blemish at the track came during the 2025 Breeders’ Cup Mile (G1T), where he was narrowly defeated by Godolphin’s Notable Speech. In that race, Notable Speech found a slim opening on the rail to prevail by 1 1/2 lengths, leaving the Warren camp with a bitter pill to swallow.
“That was a tough one to swallow, because he ran so good,” Warren recalled. “But you can’t fault the winner.”
Following that performance, there was significant pressure to retire Formidable Man to stud. His pedigree is a breeder’s dream, featuring a rare five-generation outcross that avoids the heavy inbreeding prevalent in many modern lines. His bloodline is peppered with legendary names like Sunday Silence, Deputy Minister, Irish River, and Danehill. However, after consulting with trainer Michael McCarthy, Warren decided the horse had more to give on the track.
Training and Strategy Under Michael McCarthy
The decision to keep Formidable Man in training was not made lightly. Michael McCarthy, a protégé of Hall of Famer Todd Pletcher, has earned a reputation for his patient and meticulous approach to conditioning top-tier athletes. When Warren asked if the horse was up for another season of top-flight competition, McCarthy’s answer was a definitive "yes."
After a period of rest, Formidable Man returned to the workout tab in mid-April. He quickly regained his form, winning the Shoemaker Mile Stakes (G1T) six weeks later, effectively erasing the memory of a fourth-place finish in the same race the previous year. Since that victory, the colt has maintained a steady work schedule at Del Mar, including a sharp five-furlong breeze on July 19.
For the Eddie Read Stakes, Formidable Man drew post position 8 in a field of nine. He will be reunited with Hall of Fame jockey John Velazquez, who was aboard for his Breeders’ Cup run. Warren expressed confidence in the draw, noting, “I like the post. He should get a pretty good trip from there.”
Navigating a Shifting Ownership Landscape
Formidable Man’s success is also a testament to Warren’s traditional approach to horse ownership. In an era where "high-octane" partnerships and large syndicates increasingly dominate the upper echelons of the bloodstock market, Warren has largely preferred to go it alone. Formidable Man was a $375,000 purchase at the Keeneland September Yearling Sale, a significant investment but one made without the safety net of multiple partners.
“It’s getting tougher and tougher with all these syndicates who bid up the prices on us,” Warren observed. “You’ve got to really watch what you’re doing.”
However, even a veteran like Warren recognizes the benefits of strategic collaboration. Last year, for the first time, he entered into a partnership with Eclipse Thoroughbreds and Robert LaPenta. The trio purchased three yearlings that have shown early promise under McCarthy’s guidance. This shift represents a pragmatic adaptation to the evolving economics of the sport, ensuring that the Warren silks remain competitive against the world’s largest racing operations.
A Resilience Beyond the Track
While Formidable Man prepares for his historic bid at Del Mar, his owner is facing a personal challenge of his own. Bill Warren, who maintains a residence in La Jolla to be near the track, will be unable to attend the Eddie Read Stakes in person. A recent fall at his home in Tulsa resulted in a significant gash to his knee and widespread bruising.
In a moment of levity, Warren described his condition using racing terminology. “I’m on lame’s end,” he joked, referencing the famous farm where his champions have stood at stud. “I didn’t break anything, but I’m kind of bruised all over. I look like I’ve been in a prize fight. So I’ll be watching on TV and hoping our horse has a much better trip.”
This resilience—the ability to find humor and perspective in the face of physical setback—is a hallmark of Warren’s character. It is the same quality he looks for in his horses: the "formidable" spirit to persevere through the rigors of the sport.
Implications for the Sport
The Eddie Read Stakes is named for Del Mar’s legendary marketing and publicity director, a man who helped transform the track into a national destination. For Formidable Man to win a record sixth stakes at this venue would be a fitting tribute to the history of California racing. Beyond the record books, a victory would further solidify the legacy of City of Light as a top-tier sire and confirm the Warrens’ status as master architects of the modern Thoroughbred.
As the gates open on Sunday, the eyes of the racing world will be on the fuchsia and teal silks. For Bill Warren, the race is more than just a pursuit of trophies; it is a continuation of a life defined by the pursuit of excellence. Whether watching from a trackside box or a living room in Tulsa, the "Formidable Man" behind the horse remains a steadfast steward of the sport’s highest ideals. Regardless of the outcome, the story of this horse and his owner serves as a reminder that in racing, as in life, the most enduring legacies are built on a foundation of character, patience, and a touch of formidable spirit.
