This 'one-in-a-million' Kentucky horse heads for retirement after winning every major show

He has dominated his sport for nearly a decade. It's safe to say Don O'Neill is the G.O.A.T., even though he's a horse.

"I would compare Don O'Neill to Tom Brady," said Cindy Chesler, Don O'Neill's co-owner. "Even with some age on him, he's still tough to beat."

On Friday, Aug. 26, Don O'Neill will make his final victory pass at the prestigious World Championship Horse Show held at the Kentucky State Fair. He'll retire at the age of 13 after winning every major horse show in the country, including blue ribbons at Rock Creek, Lexington Junior League twice, River Ridge four times and winning the granddaddy of them all, the 2016 World Grand Championship Three-Gaited class.

The yellow rose blanket of the World Grand Championship is to the American Saddlebred what the garland of red roses is to thoroughbreds at the Kentucky Derby. The Three-Gaited class in which Don O'Neill is World Grand Champion is a competition judged on extreme elegance, refinement and expression in three categories ― walk, trot and canter.

"He's quite unique and he knows he's something special," said Steve Chesler, who co-owns Don O'Neill with his wife Cindy. "He's a prima donna who comes to life in front of a crowd. He just loves to perform and crowds love him in return."

What makes Don's sweeping success story even more inspirational is the fact that no one expected him to be quite so extraordinary.

Cindy Chesler purchased Don in 2013 to ride in one of the less intense divisions of Saddlebred competition. She named her horse after Irish fashion designer Don O'Neill who made her gown when he married Steve.

"I had not been showing (horses) in a long time and thought I would ease back in on a nice calm horse in the country pleasure class," she told The Courier Journal. "I am a grandmother. I didn't need a rough and tumble locomotive of a horse."

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As it turned out, under his calm exterior lay a feisty, bold and talented competitor, just waiting for someone to draw out those qualities.

Don's extreme athleticism and untapped potential were first noticed by trainer Chris Reiser, owner of Reiser Stables in Simpsonville, Kentucky. He felt Chesler's new horse had the talent to show beyond the country pleasure class. While that wasn't originally Chesler's intent, she also noticed there was something magical about this horse. So she agreed to relinquish the reigns, so to speak, and Reiser took over as Don's trainer and rider.

"Think of baseball," said Chesler. "Don started out his career as a Single A ballplayer, but Chris saw something in him and within a year, he rose to the level of an MLB player, and not only that, he became Player of the Year."

Don O'Neill isn't only athletic, he's is a one-in-a-million horse with loads of personality.

"He's like my best friend and the fun part of Don is that he is never the same," said Reiser. "He's so extremely athletic and bold and feisty. I learned I always need to keep changing with him and to always be ready for the unexpected."

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The night before the pair won the World Grand Championship, Don was so full of energy and excitement that he pulled apart his stall.

"I about had a heart attack that morning when I got to the stall and he had ripped down all the walls," Reiser said. "But that's kind of his character. Usually, before big events, he gets really worked up and wreaks havoc on the stalls."

Things are quieter in Don's barn in Simpsonville. Throughout the day, he playfully knocks against the wooden stall door to let get the attention of his good friend, Roxy. The stable dog patiently lies among the wood shavings on the other side of Don's stall until it's time to come out and train with Reiser.

"Those two share a very special bond," Reiser told The Courier Journal. "Now that Don's retiring, he'll spend his days in the field next to the barn and Roxy will guard him."

After nine years of training and dominating the show ring, the Cheslers have decided Don O'Neill deserves to live out the remainder of his years in retirement. Don will remain with his friends Reiser and Roxy on the farm in Simpsonville where he was raised and transformed into a champion and a legend.

"When Tom Brady was drafted, he went in the sixth round of the NFL Draft, people didn't think he'd turn out to be a superstar but he has and the same is true for Don," said Steve Chesler. "He's a great athlete and who doesn't love a great athlete?"

Reach Features Reporter Kirby Adams at kadams@courier-journal.com

Don O'Neill's Farewell

WHAT: Don O'Neill and Chris Reiser will bid farewell to competition during a special retirement ceremony at The World Championship Horse Show at the Kentucky State Fair. The ceremony will take place after a full day and evening of competition.

WHEN: Friday, Aug. 26, approximately 8 p.m.

WHERE: Freedom Hall, Kentucky Exposition Center, 937 Phillips Lane

COST: $20 plus $10 admission to the Kentucky State Fair

MORE INFORMATION: kystatefair.org/agriculture/horse-show

This article originally appeared on Louisville Courier Journal: Champion Saddlebred Don O'Neill is headed for retirement