After a late season surge in his two-year-old year, Century Farroh appeared to be a horse that was getting better with each start. No one could have expected just how much better he would be as a three-year-old.

The 2018 Ontario Sires Stakes Grassroots final winner, Century Farroh (Mach Three - Beachy Girl) returned to the races as a sophomore for owner Dave Ratchford's Ratchford Stables and trainer Dr. Ian Moore. Ending his rookie season on a four-race win streak -- his only wins as a two-year-old -- Century Farroh captured back-to-back conditioned events at Woodbine Mohawk Park to start his sophomore season in May before stepping up into OSS Gold competition and winning again. A win against Grand Circuit rivals in the Somebeachsomewhere Stakes followed.

It was clear that Century Farroh was more than just a sires stakes horse; he was indeed a contender. When all was said and done, Century Farroh amassed a solid 12-0-2 summary from 16 seasonal starts, banked $719,451 and earned an O'Brien Award nomination for his efforts.

"The past season has certainly been one to remember," Ratchford told Trot Insider. "'Farroh' appears to have a strong desire to win."

That desire was evident throughout a sophomore season where the Ontario-sired star faced and defeated all challengers. Of Century Farroh's 12 wins, five were in Ontario Sires Stakes events with other victories including the Somebeachsomewhere, North America Cup Consolation, Simcoe Stakes (defeating fellow finalist Captain Crunch) and the Jenna's Beach Boy at Hoosier Park.

"Most of his races have been very thrilling but I would say his three wins at the Grand Circuit level stand out the most for me."

According to his Cape Breton-based owner, Century Farroh is in Florida preparing for his return to the racetrack as a four-year-old with Dr. Moore after two-and-a-half months of turnout. Moore and Ratchford are longtime acquaintances, with Ratchford noting that Moore's intense and meticulous nature lend to his success -- both in general and with Century Farroh -- along with a solid team that includes Farroh's regular driver Sylvain Filion and caretaker Dustin Boyd.

The O'Brien Award nomination didn't totally come as a surprise to Ratchford when he was watching the live broadcast on the Standardbred Canada website, but he was "thrilled" to see and hear his horse's name as one of the two finalists. This was, after all, a horse that one year prior was maybe the best of the second tier. A year later, he's one of the best in the country, and Ratchford will be in attendance at the 2019 O'Brien Awards to take in the night knowing all too well that horses like this don't come along too often...especially ones that are purchased as yearlings for $17,000.

"I'm heading to the O'Briens with my wife and family, and it will be a major highlight for me."