March 29, 2015
Grand Prairie, Tex.
Lone Star Park is the home of north Texas racing, and on March 29, it was the home of Thoroughbred ownership education for 18 potential and current owners. Reid McLellan of The Elite Program opened the event with an informative and interactive lecture on Thoroughbred conformation. He illustrated textbook conformation as well as common flaws found in Thoroughbreds. The seminar attendees then evaluated conformation of two-year-olds in training at the sales barn of Al Pike. Pike showed the group two horses who were scheduled to breeze later that morning. The horses had different body types that factored into the types of runners they were expected to become.
Reid McLellan gives a lecture on racehorse conformation.
Thoroughbred trainer Karl Broberg and one of his owners, David Moad, sat on the Owner/Trainer Dynamic panel led by Lone Star Park president Scott Wells. The three discussed the relationship and communication styles of owners and trainers, as well as different experiences that the team may have throughout a horse’s racing career.
Wells then led the Acquiring Your Horse panel, comprised of Kirk Godby of Don’t Tell My Wife Stables, Fred Taylor of Mojo Racing Partners, and Hall of Fame trainer Jack Van Berg. The three panelists have a wide range of experience in racehorse acquisition which gave the attendees a wealth of knowledge on the subject.
Arthur Maberry of the insurance company Andreini & Company and attorney Terry Vernon of Ross & Matthews, P.C. discussed business topics for owners, such as legal matters, insuring horses and accounting topics.
After lunch with a trackside view of the Fasig-Tipton two-year-olds in training breeze show, Mary Ruyle, executive director of the Texas Thoroughbred Association, introduced the racing industry in Texas and TTA’s programs and incentives for owners and breeders in the Lone Star State. This was followed by a discussion of the breeze show by Ken Carson of Valor Farm (who also serves as president of TTA).
Al Pike gives a live conformation workshop of two-year-olds in training.
Jacque Flusche of CANTER (The Communication Alliance to Network Thoroughbred Ex-Racehorses) Texas explained the importance of making a retirement plan for every equine athlete early on in their career. Flusche volunteers for CANTER and has owned and retrained three off-track Thoroughbreds of her own.
Bart Lang, director of racing for Lone Star Park, followed Flusche by discussing the condition book and duties of the racing office. Carrie Vaught of the Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association provided a range of online resources for owners such as the TOBA website’s Owner Education section, the new TOBA Owners Concierge service, OwnerView and The Jockey Club’s resources like Equineline and Equibase.
The seminar attendees were provided with a full day of education, networking, resources and valuable experiences to aid in their pursuit of successful ownership. TOBA’s seminar and clinic program, sponsored by The Blood-Horse, is open to anyone with an interest to learn more about a variety of aspects of the Thoroughbred industry. Topics include pedigree and conformation, breeding, and Thoroughbred ownership. Click here to learn more and register for an upcoming clinic.