Trainer VanMeter to Take Down Shingle

Will VanMeter will take down his shingle after eight years of conditioning Thoroughbreds, the Kentucky horseman announced Nov. 18.

VanMeter took out his license in 2014 and became a graded stakes-winning trainer based in the Bluegrass and in Arkansas. He ran VanMeter Racing with his wife and assistant, Kristin VanMeter.

In a release issued Wednesday, the trainer called the decision to step back from training "the ending of a wonderful chapter in myself and Kristin's lives." 

"We sadly will be removing our shingle from Barn 62 on Rice Road after eight rewarding years conditioning Thoroughbreds," he continued. "We would like to thank our mentors D. Wayne Lukas, Sebastian Nicholl, and Tom Voss for having the experience and patience to teach us this wonderful trade."

VanMeter also credited owners Dr. Thomas VanMeter, Mr. and Mrs. Tommy Ligon, Mr. and Mrs. Frank Fletcher, Mr. Dennis Park, Mr. and Mrs. John Mayer, Mr. and Mrs. Frederick Allor, Mr. and Mrs. Lindsay LaRoche, "and many others who have entrusted us with their investments."

He added, "I would like to sincerely thank John Ed and Isabel Anthony for their overwhelming and unwavering support of our stable through the entirety of our career.

"Thank you to all the men and women that have woken 365 days a year before the sunrise to work in our shed," VanMeter continued. "In particular: Kristin VanMeter, Headley VanMeter, and Sarah Hamilton for being the bedrock of our stable. They helped build an atmosphere of professionalism and attention to detail that has been a pleasure to work within."

VanMeter thanked his parents for their support: "My dad for initially supporting us with horses, and providing us a great reputation within the industry to build a business, my mother for doing our books and keeping our business affairs in order."

VanMeter won the 2016 Hanshin Cup Stakes (G3) with Trace Creek and conditioned graded stakes-placed runners Someday Soon, Lucky Betty, and Dutch Parrot. Stakes-placed Edgemont Road sold Nov. 17 to Eddie Kenneally, agent for William Werner, for $275,000 through Team V's consignment to the Keeneland November Breeding Stock Sale.

VanMeter has won 64 races from 527 starters with race earnings of more than $3.3 million. His most recent starter was Surmont, who ran sixth in a maiden claiming race at Churchill Downs Nov. 13.