TOBA Breakaway Rail Talk | October Member of the Month: Murray Valene
Presented by Rail Talk in partnership with the Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association (TOBA) Hosted by Jon Green & Joe Bianca
In this episode of TOBA Breakaway Rail Talk, Jon Green sits down with Murray Valene, TOBA’s October Member of the Month, whose Valene Farms operation has long been a force in Louisiana racing.
Valene shares the story behind Smoken Wicked, his Louisiana-bred standout who clinched the Amsterdam Stakes (G2) at Saratoga this summer. From spotting him in sales prep to celebrating his success as a juvenile champion, Valene’s approach to horse selection and development comes through in every story.
With roots in polo and a racing journey that traces back to the 1960s, Valene reflects on his family’s legacy, the strength of the Louisiana-bred program, and how patience, perseverance, and smart partnerships have defined his stable’s success on both local and national stages.
October Member of the Month:
Murray Valene
Year after year, Louisiana-based Valene Farms continues to produce standout racehorses. And 2025 is no exception. On July 25, three-year-old Smoken Wicked annexed the Amsterdam Stakes Presented by Albany Med Health System (G2) at Saratoga. Most recently, the chestnut colt, bred by Tom Curtis and Wayne Simpson, finished seventh in the Aug. 23 H. Allen Jerkens Memorial Stakes (G1), also at the Spa.
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