We Got The Boss is six years old and seeking more success heading into his fifth season and, as we know, six is no age for a racehorse – particularly for if it's trained by Annike. Looking after the horses, and work for longevity rather than a quick return, has always been Annike's way. “Take care of the horses, and they will take care of you” – it's a well know phrase in racing circles – and it fits so well when it comes to the daily life at Skoganstallen, where We Got The Boss has been residing since moving across the Swedish border in the spring of 2019.

He won twice for Annike in 2019, moved up in class the following year, when he won twice again, forcing him yet another step up the ladder of racing grades. Guess what? It wasn't a problem, he ended up in the winners' circle twice also in 2021. The handsome son of Street Boss, who came to Norway as a rather delicate and somewhat insecure throroughbred almost three years ago, has improved with every season. He is one of those rare horses that always gives his all on racedays. Which is why he has kept in getting better. We Got The Boss's handicap mark was 71 back in 2019. His best mark to date is 87 and he is currently on 85.

So what's left to say about this gelding, one of the most consistent runners around, that hasn't always been said already? When it comes to his racing merits, not much to be honest, as he has been in the headlines on a regular basis. One thing that is worth a reminder, is how well he has been performing with female jockeys on his back. All of his sixs wins at Øvrevoll have been achieved with assistance of the so-called weaker sex. He has won three with Ulrika Holmquist in the saddle, another two when ridden by Nora Hagelund Holm and once, his most recent win, with Willa Synøve Schou on board.

We Got The Boss has won both on turf and dirt. His first start, over 1200 metres at Bro Park when he was a juvenile, resulted in a win. He was tackling 1200 metres that day. He has since been successful over distances ranging from 1600 metres to 1800 metres and he is probably best described as a typical miler. That said, 1800 metres can be a testing distance at Øvrevoll so he is not at all void of stamina. His one try over further, over 2160 metres in 2020, resulted in a fifth placed finish though, and he runs pretty much to what could be expected from a glean at his pedigree. His half-sister Ezpz Lemon Squeeze (Pure Prize) won 4 races on turf in New York, all over 8.5 furlongs.

We Got The Boss is an ambassador for a family that has produced solid, durable runners over the years. His sire, Street Boss, was a top class dirt sprinter who peaked at four, when he won the Triple Bend Handicap (G1) over 7 furlongs at Hollywood Park and the Bing Crosby Handicap (G1) over 6 furlongs at Del Mar. Later that year, Street Boss ran second in the Ancient Title Stakes (G1) – nowadays the Santa Anita Sprint Championship – before finishing third to Midnight Lute in the Breeders' Cup Sprint (G1) at Santa Anita.

Californian, Norwegian connection

Street Boss was trained by the late Bruce Headley, who purchased a nice property in Pasadena, near Santa Anita, after selling Street Boss for $5 million. Headley bred and raised most of his horses himself, and kept weanlings and yearlings in a self-made paddock / shelter area at the back of his home. Yes, it was supposed to be large garden – and it was – but it was a garden for young horses due to become champions. It was a far cry from places like Colmore Stud and Clairborne Farm but it clearly worked. Headley's first winner was a horse he had bought for $500. His career highlight came when he won the Breeders' Cup Sprint (G1) with Kona Gold, one of 6,212 victories worth a total of more than $38 million.

Headley's Norwegian wife, Aase, made sure the horses never entered the house, by the way. If they had done they might have endangered her impressive collection of the traditional series 'Juletallerken' decorating one wall in the dining room. Headley was also affectionate about plants – not lovely roses one can pick and smell, mind you, his passion was for exotic plants, big ones, and he had created a small forest of such plants at the front of their home. “It helps cooling the property”, he explained, “I often sit amongst these palm trees and plants and think up racing plans for my horses”, he said. Like his four legged friends, Headley was tough and durable. His training career spanned 61 years.

Back to We Go The Boss, and his relatives. The best examples of what a productive family he comes from are Majestic Empire and Valid Miss Chain. Majestic Empire was a half-brother to We Got The Boss's maternal grand dam, Unchained Princess. He enjoyed a remarkable career as a hardy bread and butter performer. 50 starts resulted in 19 wins and 13 placed efforts. His best performance was a win in the John J. Reilly Handicap at Monmouth Park. Majestic Empire won his debut run, at the Meadowlands as a two-year-old, and he went on to win races also at Aqueduct, Garden State, Philadelphia Park and Rockingham Park. The son of Majestic Prince raced until he was seven (when he ran just twice) and kept on winning up to the age of six. Valid Miss Chain (Valid Appeal), a half-sister to We Got The Boss's dam, We Got a Lemon, was a fan favourite at Suffolk Downs and Rockingham Park. She won 9 of her 56 races. Valid Miss Chain was also placed 20 times, including twice in stakes company. She was unraced at two, broke her maiden at the second time of asking at Calder as a three-year-old and kept on winning until she was eight. Like Majestic Empire, she had just two runs in her final season, when she was nine. These are the types of runners that keep making owners happy, keep the game going, and they are invaluable to the sport. Like We Got The Boss. GS 220214