The loss of his prize colt Scorching a heavy blow for veteran trainer Charalambous

By Steve Buffery

They say being a thoroughbred horse trainer is like being on a roller coaster ride, with thrilling ups and terrifying downs. And sometimes when the ride ends, you can feel your stomach churning.

That was sort of the feeling veteran John Charalambous had a couple of days after his four-year-old colt Scorching won the Elgin Stakes at Woodbine on Aug. 30. Scorching (Mo Town-Samsal by Consolidator) won the seven-furlongs, $200,000 stakes for four-year-old colts and geldings by an impressive 5 ¾ lengths and Charalambous was feeling pretty good about his horse and how he managed to bring him back in great shape following a serious medical issue in 2025.

But a couple of days after the victory in the Elgin, Charalambous was talking on the phone with one of Scorching’s owners, Paul Braverman.

“We took time to talk about all the horses and then he phoned me back about a half an hour later and told me that they sold a majority interest in Scorching to C2 Racing Stable (in the U.S.),” said Charalambous. “They sold 80% and retained 10% each, the two partners (Braverman and Timothy Pinch). I think the offer was so substantial that they couldn’t turn it down.”

Charalambous wouldn’t confirm anything, but reports are that Scorching sold for close to $400,000.

The sale meant that Charalambous will no longer be training his much-loved dark bay/brown colt. That job will now fall to high-profile American conditioner Saffie Joseph Jr. For Scarborough native Charalambous, the loss of Scorching cut deep. Losing a horse of Scorching quality is always tough for a racing stable, but particularly for a small outfit like Charalambous’.

“What does that mean for me?” said Charalambous, with an audible sigh. “You work as long as I’ve worked … 45 years training horses. This is a pretty special horse who overcame a lot in the last three years and he was on top of his game. We kind of finally got to where I really wanted to be with him. I always thought he was a one-turn horse, a good 7/8ths of a mile to a mile and we finally got the right race (the Elgin Stakes). He’s improved dramatically his last two starts. So, for me, it will be tough to get another horse to replace him.

“When you’re a small guy, horses like this don’t come very often. And with the way the game is now for most of us, this could put me in retirement soon,” added Charalambous matter-of-factly.

Not that he has any animosity towards Braverman and Pinch, who he says have treated him well over the years.

“Paul always said if a proper deal comes up, they’re going to sell their horses. And they’ve never really sold any. But this came up. (Scorching) ran a 97 Beyer and ran a really good RAG (Ragozin) number and maybe that precipitated the purchase,” said Charalambous. “When you get a good offer, most of the time it’s the right thing to do, to sell. But for me, it’s tough at this point of my career. In the realm of the business now, it’s tough to get a good horse and he was a good horse. And what’s happening now is, when horses run those kinds of races with big numbers – a lot of people go on RAG numbers and speed numbers – there’s offers there and it's difficult to turn down.”

Charalambous has only three horses left in his barn, including a couple of two-year-olds, and it’s getting pretty obvious that after 45 years at Woodbine, the end of the line as a trainer is getting close.

“They’ve (Braverman and Pinch) have been very good to me. Obviously, I wasn’t happy with (the sale) but they’ve been very generous and very kind. They gave me a good commission, but I’d rather have the horse. I mean, I come in everyday for that horse. I loved that horse. He was just a class, class horse and everybody loved him. He carried himself like a true professional,” said Charalambous. “(Braverman and Pinch) are the only people I train for so I’ve got to make it economically feasible to come to work and, at some point soon, I’m going to call it a career. It’s close."

Though he has never won a King’s Plate, which is a major goal for all Canadian-based trainers, Charalambous has enjoyed great success over the years, winning 561 races with earnings of $14.5 million. The Maple, ON resident has won 19 stakes including the Grade 2 Nijinsky Stakes in 2013 with So Long George.

“He showed nothing as a two-year-old and he improved leaps and bounds. He was like the kid nobody wanted on their hockey team and then all of sudden he just blossomed with experience,” said Charalambous of the Kentucky-bred So Long George.  “He was one of my favorite horses, with Scorching.”

What made the Scorching sale extra difficult for Charalambous to swallow was the fact that he and his horse went through some major adversity. Scorching was slated to race in Canada’s top race for two-year-olds in 2024, the Coronation Futurity on Nov.30, after winning the Simcoe and Cup and Saucer Stakes, but had to be scratched because he came down with a high temperature. After sending the colt to New York over the winter to prepare for the Gotham Stakes in March, Scorching had to be scratched again after coming down with a 104.5 F temperature. He was out for seven weeks with a virus in his bloodstream and, before returning to racing, spent some time at a rehab facility at Fair Hill. Charalambous did everything he could to bring Scorching back. And his efforts paid off. As a three-year-old, Scorching did quite well, finishing second in the Grade 3 Marine Stakes, third in the Plate Trial and then fourth in the King’s Plate and Prince of Wales, two of the three Canadian Triple Crown races. This year, Scorching started with a second-place showing in the Thorncliffe Stakes and, three races later, captured the Elgin.

“I know he was coming up to the right race, the right distance and we had the right post (in the Elgin),” said Charalambous. “The competition was restricted and he was able to dominate. He dominated those horses.”

With the new Empire Trillium Series in the offing, Charalambous could envision some big things ahead for Scorching. And that may still happen, but with a new trainer.

Looking back on his career, Charalambous acknowledges the ups and downs but admits that he does feel a sense of pride.

“I’ve done well,” he said. “I thought maybe my career might have been a little stronger at a certain stage. I had some success early and it kind of didn’t get to that next level. But at the end of the day, I’ve had wonderful people that worked for me and wonderful people I’ve trained for.”

Those workers include groom Cheryl Dagg and groom/assistant trainer Sandy Hartsgrove, who have been with Charalambous for over 20 years.

“I’m very fortunate. They know my routine, they know I’m kind of an intense guy and they put up with my mood swings because I’m all in when I’m at the barn. And they’ve been great,” said Charalambous, whose talented writer/editor daughter Sophie contributes stories to the Woodbine website.

“I’m not going to look back and say that I regret anything,” said Charalambous. “I try to do the best job I can do. So, if it’s the end, it’s the end, but I’m not going to look back with any regrets.”

When pressed about his possible retirement plans, Charalambous said: “It won’t even be an announcement when it happens., That will be it. There will be no fanfare.”