OFF TO THE RACES
Thoroughbred Excellence Our Thoroughbred farms have long lent prestige and significance to the Santa Ynez Valley. Their names are well recognized in the Thoroughbred industry of America because of the excellence of their horses, their participation in major sales, and the accomplishments of our local breeding farms.
It’s still the “Sport of Kings” and the brave knights are still astride their steeds but attendance at California race tracks has dwindled. Richard Shapiro, the guest speaker at the Santa Ynez Valley Thoroughbred Awards Dinner this year, addressed that very problem. Shapiro is the President of the California Horse Racing Board which regulates all aspects of parimutuel wagering. He is also charged with encouraging agriculture and the breeding of horses.
The latter is very close to his heart, as he and his family have been breeders of Thoroughbreds for several generations. It is a source of great pride that their horse, Native Diver, accomplished the unbelievable by winning three Hollywood Gold Cup Awards in a row, with the famous jockey Jerry Lambert aboard. It had never been done before and has never been repeated. Jerry, as you may know, is a resident of our Valley and is assistant trainer at Magali Thoroughbred Farms.
Racing Loses its Lustre
When Shapiro addressed the Valley’s Thoroughbred Association, it became clear that he has taken part in almost every form of horsemanship, from driving in harness races, to team penning, three-day-eventing and even barrel racing. In working his way up in the racing world, he held various positions which have afforded him a clear view of the ups and downs of this industry. But now Richard Shapiro is concerned. “Over the past twenty years, racing has transformed from a vibrant sporting and gambling business, to an event based and gambling driven business,” he told us. “The horses are still magnificent but gaming competition is rampant and attendance at the race tracks is down.”
Has the thrill of being there and personally seeing the spectacular horses up close in the paddock been forgotten? Has the excitement of cheering them on as they race each other around a beautiful racetrack faded? If so, Shapiro thinks it is partly because of off track betting and the fact that bets can be placed over the computer. Casinos with slot machines have increasingly enticed those who like to wager, and poker took a jump in popularity when it was regularly featured on television. In past years, everyone knew the names of the great horses like Man O War, War Admiral and Seabiscuit. The film Seabiscuit, a tremendous hit, was nominated for an Academy Award in 2003. But there was little effort by the industry to keep America involved in this thrilling sport and build a fan base. They don’t seem interested in building equine stars. When a big race is over... it is over. Leading jockeys are seldom mentioned in the media, even though their lives are sometimes downright electrifying and they’re competing in a sport that actually has an ambulance following them around the track! We asked Jerry Lambert why, given the inherent dangers, being a jockey is such an enticing career. He replied, “It’s the love of horses, the money is good and it’s a very exciting life.”
In a survey of different types of athletes, cross country skiers and jockeys proved to be the fittest athletes in relation to their size. They even beat out football players, basketball players and boxers. Shapiro says the racing industry needs to reinvent itself just as Nascar and basketball did.
The Valley Breeds World Class Contributions to the Sport of Kings California is one of the best places to breed and race horses in the US and the Santa Ynez Valley is a horse paradise. Of the approximately 3,500 Thoroughbred foals born last year in California, 1,110 came from our valley. It follows that the horse breeding business is of great importance in sustaining long term stability and growth in racing both in California and nationally. It is no wonder then that our breeding farms have some of the top rated stallions.
Swiss Yodler, owned by Heinz Steinmann, has always stood here at Pepper Oaks Farm. He was not only selected as “Stallion of the Year” at the Awards dinner but is the LEADING SIRE IN CALIFORNIA! His progeny have earned $4,880,827.00 and his son, Thor’s Echo, is the LEADING SPRINTER IN THE WORLD! Plus, Thor just won the Eclipse Award, which is the highest award in the Thoroughbred industry in America.
Wow!
Race Tracks Need to Broaden Their Appeal
We visited with Patricia Youngman, owner of Pepper Oaks Farm, shortly after a Swiss Yodler breeding session. She is very involved with the Thoroughbred racing industry, even going so far as advertising in USA Today to encourage attendance at the races. She told us, “The track owners don’t seem to see the big picture. They are fixated on the gamblers—but gamblers don’t have to go to the tracks anymore, now they can even gamble on line. People who are hooked on gambling are only a small sliver of the pie in America. Everyone else is interested in going someplace to have a good time. Track owners need to focus on these people. Racing should be promoted as entertainment.”
Richard Shapiro asked that all segments of the Thoroughbred Racing industry get together and revitalize their product so that people will want to personally experience the thrills, excitement and pageantry of watching magnificent horses and their amazing jockeys.
You, the reader, are invited to speak up and get engaged. If you would like to take part, or have a suggestion that you feel would improve the racetrack experience, a local representative is available to personally receive your ideas. Just send an E-mail to office@ pepperoaksfarm.com.
Impressive Performances Honored
At the Awards dinner, there was recognition for more impressive performances: River Edge Farm accepted the “Filly of the Year Award” for Proposed. Russell Drake said of this beauty, “She was a top California bred filly in grades stakes races for 2006.” Not only that but River Edge Farm is the LEADING Thoroughbred farm in earnings in California and is rated tenth in the entire US! Another “Wow” please.
The Tin Man, owned by Ralph and Aury Todd was selected “Horse of the Year” and his dam, Lizzie Rolfe, was “Broodmare of the Year.” This nine-year- old gelding has won over three million dollars, competed with the best horses in the world at the two-million dollar Breeder’s Cup twice, raced well overseas in Dubai, and he consistently brings home the bacon at tracks in California. It’s no wonder that when he comes out on the track the crowd screams “THE TIN MAN!!”
Another part of the excitement at the Santa Ynez Thoroughbred Association’s Awards dinner was the presentation of the Lifetime Achievement Award to the greatly admired Mr. Walter Thomson, who established Rancho Felicia, the first Thoroughbred farm in the Valley.
Valley Luminaries Attend
Some of the most active participants in the Thoroughbred racing world in our Valley were in attendance. They included: Jim and Bobbie Vreeland, Association president, Patricia Youngman, Rebecca Shields, John and Carol Turner, Tom and Debi Stull, Russell Drake, Cherie Austin, Cecile Hundley and Laura Cotter who oversees the Thoroughbred rehabilitation department at Alamo Pintado Clinic in Los Olivos. Also present were Dr. Ed Hamer, Sandy and Heloise Power, Susie Gallagher from Pollyrich Farms, Gisela Salazar, Mary Yeakel, and Bob Bean from Shields Thoroughbreds, Sergio Solis, Laura Carloni and Catherine Co from River Edge, Jeanette Economus, and Helen Merideth who runs Pegasus, a facility that shelters retired race horses.