| Particularly since the shift in the economy, many | | | | last over time, are consistent, and make excellent |
| interested fans and prospective clients ask me about | | | | bloodstock. Quality horses come from careful |
| the risks of owning through a thoroughbred partnership; | | | | selection, and for me this is best realized in |
| with the myriad of factors involved, how can you really | | | | home-breds, rather than at auction or in claiming races. |
| be sure of any horse? The real answer lies in how | | | | This is not to say that there aren't some great horses |
| sure you are of yourself and your team. | | | | through those avenues, but to me, the degree of care |
| The majority of thoroughbreds born into the world | | | | is never quite the same as in a horse that has been |
| have at least the potential to perform on a small | | | | cultivated to succeed from the womb. |
| scale--but is your partnership smart enough to manage | | | | Home-breds are also better for the breed as a whole; |
| a horse for what he or she is actually able to do well? | | | | the ubiquitous nature of auctions and claiming races |
| It is as much of a mistake to believe that mediocre | | | | perpetuate the idea that thoroughbreds are disposable, |
| conformation can maintain a long career as it is to | | | | and that it is acceptable to simply sell to whomever |
| believe that a $500,000 price tag on a two year old | | | | wants to buy. In reality, this is the kind of attitude that |
| guarantees success. People push or pamper horses | | | | weakens bloodlines through constant breeding in the |
| everyday based on sometimes inaccurate beliefs | | | | haphazard hope of a profit, and sends many horses |
| about what method of breeding, training, and managing | | | | that could be adapted to another sport straight to the |
| is best. | | | | slaughterhouse. This is also where management |
| For me, a realistic, long-term approach has always | | | | comes in--a good manager is educated enough to |
| been effective in both assuaging any fears, and | | | | place a horse where he or she can win, not where the |
| counterbalancing any illusions that might distract me | | | | horse will flounder and be considered an unworthy |
| from making good decisions. Unfortunately, racing has | | | | investment. Often the best test of character for a |
| sometimes had a bad reputation for its excesses, | | | | manager is whether or not administrative fees are |
| corrupt procedures, and inconsideration for the animals | | | | taken from partners; a quality manager will benefit only |
| it profits from. In regard to this, I actually believe the | | | | when the partnership does, because he or she is |
| recession scare has been good for the industry in the | | | | confident in the decisions being made. |
| long run. Without a financial wake-up call, a lot of | | | | When comes to the concept of a "win" in ownership, |
| necessary restructuring to the management style of | | | | the industry needs a more holistic definition. A win is |
| thoroughbreds might not have been contemplated for | | | | not the achievement of one race, but the deliberate |
| some time. Fair partnership operations, reasonable | | | | choices that comprise a long and healthy career. |
| pricing, responsible breeding and training, solutions for | | | | Surrounding yourself with others in your partnership |
| equine retirement and overpopulation, and pragmatic | | | | and training stable who are excited about horses, |
| education are all critical issues to be tackled in today's | | | | realistic in their expectations, and educated in their |
| market. The future of the racing industry depends on | | | | actions is also part of accomplishing a win. |
| the confidence we can have in its practices, and | | | | It is my personal goal in everything that I do with |
| therefore, our own. | | | | Unbridled to improve the world for horses and the |
| Over the years, I have formulated my own strategy | | | | people who love them, and if anything, uncertain times |
| for thoroughbred ownership based on what I observed | | | | can be a great motivator to evaluate your own goals |
| to be successful, in the best interest of the horse, and | | | | in the industry. I would encourage anyone that an |
| fair for everyone involved. As I have spoken and | | | | investment in an ethical, proven partnership team is a |
| written about many times and will continue to | | | | surprisingly rewarding long-term venture to |
| advocate for, responsible breeding is the keystone in | | | | consider--and unlike any other speculation, it will get |
| any champion's career. Big, strong, solid thoroughbreds | | | | your heart pounding in a positive way! |