Singing Bridge Stables

Last June 2008, I sent the following letter to Thoroughbred Times.  It was published and the text appears below:

I have been an observer and participant in thoroughbred racing for over twenty years and noted the following trends. I see a sport chasing new gambling dollars through slots and racinos, but failing to support and retain the bettors who support them.

 

As all other mainstream sports ban medication, we are arguing about how much to give. We bestow our highest honors on individuals who violate the rules we do have. Other sports and industries are focusing on "transparency". Racing has gone in the opposite direction.

 

I see a sport that has consistently failed to capitalize on being the only sport where women compete equally with men, in betting, riding, training, breeding, and owning. When I came into this sport as an owner I always heard about the goal of owning a "Saturday" horse. So this year the Breeders’ Cup has decided that, for the women, our day is "Friday". I am a stallion nominator, and I am not happy.

 

I was at the Breeders’ Cup when Go For Wand, Mr. Nickerson, and others went down. I have witnessed too many breakdowns on big days, small days, and in the morning.

 

I have observed all of the above, and I still love this sport and have no plans to give it up. I have seen many committees, summits, and "new" groups, generally made up of the same industry people, come and go. They usually issue recommendations produced through compromise. A very valid point is that these groups have no real power in our sport. Our sport is made up of many competing and conflicting interests.

 

I keep seeing the letters asking what will "the sport" do? For me, I have no intention of waiting for some summit or committee to tell me my responsibilities. As owners, we can actually take control of our own horses. So here is what I intend to keep doing.

 

I will do my best to breed sound horses. I will continue to buy mares that have run successfully without medication and breed to stallion lines that appear to not need medication. My horses will not be given steroids, and will run without medication unless they actually need it. If they need it, they will not be contributing to the gene pool after they finish racing, and have other careers as show or pleasure horses. My horses may very well run at two, but will have time off (on the farm, not in a trainer’s shedrow) every year. I believe year round racing is as much an issue as track surface and medication. My horses will not be "disposable" and I will not ask for that additional race that might cost them other career options after racing.

 

I will employ trainers who share these goals, and there are more of them out there than you think. I will pay attention to the present and future of my horse because I am an owner, and I do not have to wait for a committee, summit, or industry group to tell me what I should do.

 

Since I sent that letter we have had a few more committees, signals shut off for bettors due to contract disputes, the breeders cup announcing no funding of 2009 stakes right after the nomination deadline then reversing in response to a predictable outrage, Magna filing for bankruptcy, and the economy tanking.  Our industry is in trouble, and by the recent response of our "leaders" to a New York Times article regarding failure to make any real reform in medication rules, our leaders still do understand the public's perception of our sport.  So we are in for tough times ahead, and I forsee smaller and hopefully smarter.  I am a breeder, and I am in it for the long haul.