Mucho Macho Man: Making Dreams Come True

Mucho Macho Man prepares for the 2011 Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs (Photo courtesy of Eclipse Sportswire).

Ponche de Leona foaled Mucho Macho Man on a Florida farm in mid-June of 2008. More than two years later when the colt finished second in his career debut at Calder race Course, Dean and Patti Reeves purchased majority interest in the bay from Dream Team One Racing Stable. 

“The whole time that we’ve owned him, it’s been such a blessing. He has been a gift from God to us.” Patti Reeves said.

In 1976, Dean Reeves attended his first Kentucky Derby and the experience captivated him. He made it a tradition, and returned every year for the next 22 consecutive renewals. In 2007, the Reeves’ purchased a 2-year-old filly at Keeneland’s April sale in partnership with friends Bob and Esther Ades. The following year, the partnership invested in two more horses and all three are still racing. 

Dean and Patti Reeves formed Reeves Thoroughbred Racing in 2009 and it began with two colts – one by Dixie Union and another by Tapit. Currently, they have 11 horses in training with Kathy Ritvo. Mucho Macho Man, last year’s Breeders’ Cup Classic runner-up, has made repeated headlines for their stable. The colt has gifted the Reeves with opportunities of a lifetime. 

“The best memory in my mind was walking with him on the track in the Kentucky Derby,” said Patti Reeves. “The crowd roared when he came up. His fans are great – people were singing ‘Mucho Macho Man’ and waving at us. It was a really memorable moment and feeling so proud just to get there. Making it to the starting gate in the Derby was something that was beyond our dreams.

“Every race has been a series of Grade 1 and Grade 2 races for the last two years. Win or lose, there’s always that excitement and the anticipation and the camaraderie of the other owners and the fans and going to the events. It has been fabulous.”

Currently standing at 17.2 hands, he has slowly matured throughout his racing career. The Reeves Thoroughbred Racing team has fostered sound growth in their star through their racing management. As a result of their exceptional supervision, he has finished in the top three in 18 of his 22 career starts and earned more than $2.5 million.

Mucho Macho Man’s talent and size presented a unique situation to Dean and Patti Reeves.  To ensure safety and success, they sought the expertise of fifth-generation horseman Finn Green. The Reeves had been involved with managing their horses’ races but hired the Kentuckian as the full-time racing manager for their stable about two years ago. Dean Reeves suggested the idea to hire a racing manager, as they were relatively new to ownership and he realized Mucho Macho Man’s potential.

“Dean was a believer in not trying to make all these decisions yourself, and I think it takes a lot of courage and foresight to say ‘I need to hire a racing manager to help navigate us through some of these uncharted waters,’ ” Patti Reeves said.

“We look to his expertise and recommendations, and the trainer's, when we make decisions. We give them a lot of credit for a lot of the decisions where we probably would have made mistakes had it not been for him and Kathy,” she said. 

Mucho Macho Man has taught the couple patience and how to race a horse when he is ready to run.

They are still reaping rewards from their 5-year-old son of Macho Uno. 

Last time out, he got his first career Grade 1 win in the Awesome Again Stakes. Winning by 4 ¼ lengths, Mucho Macho Man overwhelmed this impressive lineup that included Paynter. 
Prior to the Awesome Again, Mucho Macho Man finished third in the Whitney Invitational Handicap behind Cross Traffic and Successful Dan, beaten by 2 ¼ lengths. In 2013, he has had four outings with one win and two thirds. In his lone finish out of the top three, he was pulled up. Mucho Macho Man has accumulated $234,000 in earnings this season after finishing second in the 2012 Breeders' Cup Classic.

“To be at the Breeders’ Cup was an honor and to have our horse finish so close. I think I was numb after the race. I couldn’t believe it. He came so close, he ran his heart out. He gave it all as he always does. It’s just a wonderful feeling,” Patti Reeves said.

“Going back this year is like getting to run the Kentucky Derby over again. You never get another chance at the Derby, but with the Breeders’ Cup you do. For us to be able to come back this year and have him win a ‘Win and You’re In’ makes it a lot easier and more exciting.”

Last year, Hurricane Sandy forced Mucho Macho Man to ship to Santa Anita Park just a couple of days prior to the Classic. This year, he is already settled into the California track and looking ahead toward his second Breeders’ Cup Classic. Dean and Patti Reeves are optimistic about their horse’s performance. 

“He looks as fit as he has ever been. Kathy has done a phenomenal job with him. He’s just as healthy as ever," Patti Reeves said.

To learn more about Dean and Patti Reeves’ racing stable, Reeves Thoroughbred Racing, visit: http://www.reevestr.com/index2.php

Interested in learning more about how to become a racehorse owner? Learn more about the thrills and excitement of owning your own racehorse or joining a partnership or syndicate at: https://www.ownerview.com/getting-started/journey