This weekend was a proud one for horse trainer Will Walden, who saw his filly Bless the Broken finish third in the Kentucky Oaks on Friday.
But Walden’s life was in a far different place a decade ago, when he was in a Mississippi rehab facility for drug and alcohol abuse.
‘I was kind of open to all parties,’ Walden told WAVE in Louisville of his substance abuse issues, which began in college.
‘From alcohol to fentanyl, to cocaine use, everything. I didn’t take any days off. I was a bottom level junkie.’
The son of respected horse trainer Elliot Walden, Will always had a love for racing.
‘I mean, it’s the one passion I’ve always had is being around horses,’ Walden said. ‘I think Winston Churchill says it best, that the outside of a horse does something to the inside of a man.’
Will Walden overcame addiction to become the trainer of Bless the Broken
Bless The Broken, seen during warmups on April 28, ultimately finished third in the Oaks
Walden, who began training horses in 2022, credited horses with saving his life
However, he flirted with death at various points – even having to be defibrillated several times – before ultimately beginning his training career three years go.
Though it was not his first stay at a rehab center, Walden’s time at the facility in Mississippi proved to be significant as he met Ryder Finney, who also grew up with family ties to the racing industry.
Finney recalled watching the 2015 Oaks with Walden while they were both in rehab together.
‘…Now 10 years later we’re here, and it’s pretty surreal,’ Finney told WAVE.
Bless the Broken is short for the hit Rascal Flatts ballad ‘Bless the Broken Road,’ and Finney added to the network that he and Walden were both ‘broken’ a decade ago.
Eventually, Finney – who is now the racing manager for Cypress Creek Equine – used his power to tap his friend as Bless the Broken’s trainer.
Cypress Creek Equine owns Bless the Broken alongside Madaket Stables LLC.
Walden, whose horse returned $4.78 at Churchill Downs, credits horses with saving his life.
He is also a graduate of the Stable Recovery program, which reportedly offers substance abuse treatment alongside ‘horse therapy’ and industry training.
Walden meet Ryder Finney (above) while the pair were in a Mississippi rehab together
Walden is the son of respected horse trainer Elliott Walden, president and CEO of racing operations for WinStar Farm
However, Walden also went into this weekend with a heavy heart.
A friend from Stable Recovery, Josh Bryan, recently passed away due to complications from jaw surgery at just 33 years old (Bryan was born with a facial development defect.
‘To know that he was a part of the ride and the journey that we had here is immeasurable,’ Walden told ABC 36 NEWS NOW.
‘Josh would give me a call and tell me he loves me regardless of whether we win or lose on Friday.’
