Industry Representatives Reflect With Gratitude

As hearts turn toward a time of Thanksgiving in the midst of a global pandemic, BloodHorse asked industry representatives three questions meant to inspire reflection and gratitude.

Shannon Arvin

Keeneland

What are you most thankful for when you look back at 2020 so far?

What a year 2020 has been! I am thankful for so many things this year. First, my immediate family, with whom we have survived months of home school, working from home, jigsaw puzzles and quarantine; and for my extended family and friends, during a year we have found creative ways to stay connected, which is so important. As we reflect on a fall when Keeneland was able to host our September yearling sale, October race meet, Breeders' Cup and November breeding stock sale during truly extraordinary circumstances, I am enormously grateful for the resiliency, optimism, camaraderie, hard work and innovation of this industry. From Keeneland's outriders and Equine Safety Director, who have been on the track every single morning, to the trainers and their staff, each of whom is critical to the care and health of our athletes, equine and human. I am very thankful we have all worked together to find ways to stabilize our marketplace.

What gives you the most cause for concern, looking ahead to 2021?

Finding ways to operate effectively while COVID-19 continues to impact our business. I am eager to witness the distribution of the vaccines that will lead the way out of this global pandemic.

What gives you the most hope?

I am optimistic about the ultimate legislative passage of the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Act, which will be a game changer in leveling the playing field and enhancing integrity in our sport that is critical to grow our fan base and open opportunities. I am also hopeful and encouraged by the teamwork I have witnessed in 2020, both within Keeneland and within our industry as a whole. I believe that teamwork and the innovations evolving from 2020 will carry us far down the road ahead.

Headley Bell

Mill Ridge Farm

What are you most thankful for when you look back at 2020 so far?

These virtual tours we got involved in through Horse Country, touching people's lives we never thought we would touch—that has to be one of the greatest things for us. Over 4 million people watched these tours of Mill Ridge and the other farms participating through Horse Country. Visiting Mill Ridge has been recognized as the number two thing to do in Lexington through Trip Advisor. That's a result of our continuing engagement. It's just an example of what we can all do by sharing this extraordinary industry and community of central Kentucky that we live in. That expanded reach came out of this COVID-19 thing, which was unexpected. 

Obviously, I think about my health and the health of family and friends. We have a dear, dear friend who was very sick in March, and he was in the hospital for 45 days. We didn't lose him; we've been blessed we haven't lost anybody close by, and that's a gift. That's our greatest blessing.

What gives you the most cause for concern, looking ahead to 2021?

I have a hard time dwelling on concerns because this industry is so extraordinary and an exceptionally resilient group of people, with all of the passion for the land and the horse. I am so thankful that we're working well together through the Thoroughbred Safety Coalition, and that Washington appears to be on the cusp of passing the Horse Racing Integrity and Safety Act. I'm going to celebrate more than express concerns. There are plenty of concerns, but I'm not going to dwell on them. We're just blessed to have what we have and embrace what we have.

What gives you the most hope?

My son Price has transitioned into the day-to-day of Mill Ridge and has done so much through Horse Country,  and I've found that surrounding myself with the younger generation and their passion and vision to be relevant in regard to what we do, is something that gives me hope and I personally celebrate. This virus slowed everything down and I've had more time to reflect on things like that. 

Carrie Brogden

Machmer Hall Farm

What are you most thankful for when you look back at 2020 so far?

Pure survival. We started 2020 thinking it was going to be the new decade and the 'Roaring 20s' and wow, I guess we're just happy to be stable. As my friend James Keogh says, 'Life is for the living.' I think as horse people we look at disease, death, and dying differently. We deal with disease all the time, whether it be strangles, EHV, or other issues. People who have animals in general, whether it's cattle, horses, dogs … we all know nothing is ever certain. I am very glad horse racing still went on and the sales still went on, even though there were some adjustments to the calendar. It's not the first pandemic that's ever hit the world, and it's not going to be the last. 

What gives you the most cause for concern, looking ahead to 2021?

I would just hope we all get on the same page as far as medication. Everything that went on with the federal indictments, we don't want that repeated. We want to get rid of the cheaters and have a level playing field.

What gives you the most hope?

The horse. We have something no other sport has. The unbelievable beauty, the quality. … If people haven't been around them and they get to be around them, they feel it. There's something unbelievable about the horse. I was driving today in my car and thought to myself, 'I couldn't live my life without animals.' Everything I do is related to them, and I want them to have security and happiness. Ultimately we have to be good stewards.

Boyd Browning

Fasig-Tipton

What are you most thankful for when you look back at 2020 so far?

I'm thankful (and amazed) at the resiliency and enthusiasm of industry participants around the world.

What gives you the most cause for concern, looking ahead to 2021?

The myopic vision of the various segments of the Thoroughbred industry and the failure to work together.

What gives you the most hope?

This year has created opportunities for our industry that either did not exist or we did not recognize previously. We have the ability to enhance our product, improve our experiences, and grow our industry.

Anna Seitz Ciannello

Fasig-Tipton

What are you most thankful for when you look back at 2020 so far? 

First and foremost, I'm grateful for my health and the health of my family. That is something I sometimes take for granted any other year. I'm also thankful that I still have a job and we were able to put on some of our auctions, especially since it was looking pretty grim earlier in the year. I didn't have to travel as much for our sales or recruiting trips at the races so I was able to spend more time with my husband and our two boys, which was great.

What gives you the most cause for concern, looking ahead to 2021?

I'd say the fact that COVID-19 cases are exploding and there's still a lot of uncertainty regarding when we'll be able to have owners and fans attend the races again in a normal setting. Racing syndicates have become such an important part of our sport and a big part of the allure has always been the ability to get together with other people at the races and watch your horse compete and have a good time. This is something that was missing from the tracks for the most part in 2020 and I'm very concerned that syndicate members and owners in general will decide to put their participation on hold until things go back to normal or something that resembles their prior experience at the track. 

What gives you the most hope?

Fasig-Tipton, like most businesses, were forced to get creative and adapt to new ways of conducting business. I think this will lead to long-term changes at our sales that will benefit both buyers and sellers for a long time. The recent news of an effective vaccine for COVID-19 certainly is encouraging. I'm hopeful that once the tracks do re-open to the fans and states drop their social distancing requirements, there will be a fervor among racegoers and owners to get back to the tracks.

Erin Crady

Thoroughbred Charities of America

What are you most thankful for when you look back at 2020 so far?

At TCA we are most thankful for our donors, because they make it possible for us to help so many Thoroughbreds and backstretch and farm workers, especially in this challenging year. This year, we saw a significant increase in grant applications and, for the first time in many years, we were able to grant over $1 million to our approved charities. In the early days of the pandemic, we made emergency grants from the Horses First Fund to aftercare facilities and backstretch organizations, and we supported two horse feed assistance programs. Our grants are only possible because of the generosity of our donors. 

What gives you the most cause for concern, looking ahead to 2021?

Our largest annual fundraiser is a stallion season auction held each January. With many stud fees decreasing in 2021, we are a bit concerned about a potential decrease in auction revenue. (To support our auction with season donations, sponsorships, or advertising please email ecrady@tca.org) With the help of our board, we continuously work to innovate and find new ways for people to support TCA. Whether it be new fundraising events, giving programs, or initiatives we are committed to our mission.

What gives you the most hope?

As we close out a challenging year, we find hope in the impact that our grants make in the lives of Thoroughbreds and those who care for them. Whether it be an aftercare organization rehabbing, retraining, and rehoming a Thoroughbred, a backstretch organization providing vital health and human services to workers on the track, or an equine-assisted therapy program using Thoroughbreds to help veterans with PTSD, our grantees inspire and motivate us to provide them with the support they need.

Liz Crow

BSW Bloodstock & ELiTE Sales

What are you most thankful for when you look back at 2020 so far?

I am most thankful my family and friends are healthy and safe. That, more than ever right now, isn't a given. Also, I'm very thankful we were able to pull off sales in September and November and the Breeders' Cup. As an industry that took an enormous amount of cooperation and lots of hard work from organizations like Keeneland and Fasig-Tipton. When so many around the world have lost their jobs and livelihood the horse industry has found a way to keep churning.

What gives you the most cause for concern, looking ahead to 2021?

My biggest concern in 2021 is that COVID-19 affects the early 2-year-old sales once again. They were down 25% and lots of pinhookers took losses because the virus erupted right as the season got going. I am hopeful our country will be on a better track by March 2021, but that isn't looking likely. Overall I am most concerned sales averages will be down 25% again throughout the season: 2-year-olds, yearlings, weanlings, etc. I'm also concerned with racing this winter into early next spring—hoping we won't have any shutdowns or postponements.

What gives you the most hope?

What gives me the most hope is the resiliency you see from our industry. I am always very impressed how we come together and help each other when needed. We know the show must go on and every day you see that from people in top positions, down to vital people like grooms and showman at sales. I know we will always find a way to get the next sale on the calendar or the next race meet up and running.

Drew Fleming

Breeders' Cup

What are you most thankful for when you look back at 2020 so far?               

Besides the health and safety of my family and friends, I'm most thankful for the incredible show of support from breeders, nominators and owners from around the world, as well as from the local community, that made this year's World Championships a success.

From state and local government officials to our team here at Breeders' Cup and our counterparts at Keeneland, to name just a few, conducting a safe, world-class racing championships amid a global pandemic was truly a team effort. It was a magical two days thanks to the work and support of so many. 

What gives you the most cause for concern, looking ahead to 2021?

My top concern going into the new year is the rise in COVID-19 cases and how it will affect communities across the U.S., including the racing industry's ability to welcome fans back for live racing and specifically for the Breeders' Cup to be able to host fans at the 2021 World Championships at Del Mar. Safeguarding everyone's health and safety is, of course, our top priority, but I know I speak for the entire industry when I say we miss our fans.

What gives you the most hope?

Like everyone else, the positive reports coming out of various vaccine trials give me a lot of hope, as does the resiliency of the Thoroughbred industry, which was on full display this year.

Additionally, the introduction and passage by the House of Representatives of the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Act has strengthened my confidence in this sport. Keeping our athletes, both equine and human, safe and protecting the integrity of our sport in a uniform manner that is consistent across racing jurisdictions will go a long way in securing the future of horse racing.

Meg Levy

Bluewater Sales

What are you most thankful for when you look back at 2020 so far?   

As I look back on 2020, I am most thankful for the way of life we are lucky to have that is still alive in the horse business. Living on a farm in a small town, being able to continue working to get the job done for the horses and the owners, while providing for our family and employees.

It has been a unique time when things slowed down enough to really think about. And although the market has been uncertain, at least there has been a market. Our college kids came home from school unexpectedly. Plans changed, summer jobs were lost, but they worked on the farm with friends and with our farm family of employees. I'm so thankful to be a part of this Bluegrass community of authentic, gritty, passionate people who live and breathe their love of the horse.

What gives you the most cause for concern, looking ahead to 2021?

Looking toward 2021, I am concerned with the leadership and public image of the sport and business of horse racing. Last March as the COVID-19 pandemic began, my husband and I were returning from a bucket-list trip to New Zealand, where we met several couples from California. This was the first time in my life I remember being looked upon with suspicion and questioned as if on trial for animal abuse. We as horse people spend too much time in our bubble and we must change the way things are done and deal with the hard issues, rather than sweep them under the rug.

There are so many good people who work so hard to do the best they can for the horses and for their owners, from breeding to sales and racing. We all need to speak up and  lead, one step at a time, rather than wait for someone else to save us.

What gives you the most hope?

Believe it or not, the discovery and uncovering of issues long needing stopped like horse doping, abuse, slaughter and breakdowns gives me the most hope for the future. I feel as if we have hit rock bottom and it is now time to move forward and rebuild through transparency, communication, and education. I've also seen growth in the wonderful programs and initiatives for rehoming and repurposing Thoroughbreds, which has given me huge hope.

These animals are amazing in so many ways and are built to live long lives alongside humans. We have much to learn from them in acting with intent, purpose, and authenticity for the communal good.

Graham Motion

Herringswell Stable

What are you most thankful for when you look back at 2020 so far? 

I think the fact we've been able to race, considering what other people have been dealing with, many of them. My whole operation really has been relatively unaffected by COVID-19 from a physical point of view and I feel incredibly grateful that we've been able to keep racing when many people in other industries are struggling.

What gives you the most cause for concern, looking ahead to 2021?

I think how disjointed we are as an industry, I feel like we're all over the place and that's a real worry when we should be united. Hopefully the federal bill will be a step in the right direction.

What gives you the most hope?

The horses give me hope. As a trainer, you have to be hopeful about your horses. That's why we do it, that's why we're so passionate about doing it.

Mark Taylor

Taylor Made

What are you most thankful for when you look back at 2020 so far? 

It's been a tough year for all of us. The pandemic in many ways has increased my gratitude for all my blessings. We live in the greatest country on the face of the earth that provides opportunity for all who are willing to work for it. I am grateful for our team at Taylor Made along with our customers who have stuck with us through thick and thin. I am grateful for our team members who are so dedicated to our brand, our customers and the horses. We are in a valley, but challenges are relative and many around the world endure far worse every year than what we have been through in 2020. 

What gives you the most cause for concern, looking ahead to 2021?

Our industry lacks the structure to implement meaningful change which can lead us to prosperity. We continually shoot ourselves in the foot and fight over a shrinking pie. It is hard to imagine a prosperous future when there is not a stricture in place to allow us to implement good ideas. 

What gives you the most hope?

Horses are the most incredible creatures on earth. If we can ever get our act together, the horses will do the rest. The droves of new fans which came to our sport during COVID-19 show that there is hope. It's a matter of whether we can find the leaders to bring all of our constituents together with the goal of growth and prosperity for everyone instead of short-sighted survival tactics by rival factions.