| Cashew CR, the reliable mount of U.S. rider Alex Matz, delivered one final win Friday night at the Royal Agricultural Winter Fair as he took his last bow before retirement.
The 17-year-old Holsteiner gelding (Cassini II x Quinar Z) is owned by Alex’s mother, D.D. Matz, who was on hand with Alex’s father, U.S. Olympic medalist Michael Matz, to watch their son top the field in the $90,000 Winning Round class at the 5-star show in Toronto. Cashew’s nine-year partnership with Alex included 47 international podium finishes, including two wins at last year’s Royal. “To have him go out on such a high note is really special; he’s a champion and he should go out with a win,” said Alex.  Alex Matz and Cashew CR at the Royal. (Ben Radvanyi Photography) “We decided a couple of months ago that at the end of this year, he would be retired. He’s given so much to me, the best that we can do for him is to give him a happy retirement where he’s sound and healthy. I’m sure he would do more for us, but he doesn’t owe me anything.” The 10 top entries from the starting field returned in reverse order of standing for the jump-off. Continuing his Royal streak and staying true to his goal of finishing in the top five in every event, Colombia’s Mark Bluman set a pace of 39.37 seconds as the penultimate rider aboard Phelina de Septon. Alex, however, beat Mark’s clocking by nearly three seconds. Almost a decade together means Alex and Cashew CR have the advantage of a close partnership. “He knows all my moves; he knows when I’m going to lean too much one way or the other way, and he figures it out,” Alex said. “It’s a credit to how smart a horse he is.” Cashew will spend his retirement on the Matz family farm in Pennsylvania. $90,000 Royal Winning Round Friday, November 14, 2025 Rider / Nation / Horse / Faults / Time 1. Alex Matz / USA / Cashew CR / 0 / 36.96 2. Mark Bluman / COL / Phelina de Septon / 0 / 39.37 3. Rene Dittmer / GER / Echo vh Gerendal Z / 0 / 41.06 4. Skylar Wireman / USA / Citoki / 0 / 41.26 5. Vaclav Stanek / CZE / Calippo 57 / 0 / 41.99 6. Adrienne Sternlicht / USA / Los Angeles de la Cense / 0 / 43.15 7. Aaron Vale / USA / Helios du Moulin / 0 / 43.20 8.Kaitlin Campbell / USA / Cosm Hesed / 4 / 39.96 9. Daniel Coyle / IRL / Farrel / 4 / 39.97 10. Daniel Bluman / ISR / Gemma W / withdrawn |