Messineo Ensures Aftercare for Her Horses and Others

Nancy Messineo adored her horses, probably even more than winning races with them. She was the type of owner who relished time at the barn, posing for photos beside her horses in their stalls and getting to know their personalities.

Messineo lost a long battle with cancer June 8 and left much of her estate to several organizations that care for horses, including the California Retirement Management Account (CARMA), the Wild Horse Sanctuary, and the Red Bucket Sanctuary. While those bequests will do plenty of good, her generosity is symbolic of what she did during her lifetime for her racehorses. She and racing partner Bruce Sands campaigned several runners in California, and they worked tirelessly to find them good second careers, resulting in some very happy horses.

Oscar Dominguez , North County Guy , and Magical Touch  are three prime examples. Winner of the 2019 Hollywood Turf Cup (G2T) and an earner of $474,154, Oscar Dominguez today roams trails with Dr. Lindsey Porubovich, a veterinarian at San Luis Rey Downs training center. North County Guy, a stakes-winning earner of $538,527, and Magical Touch, who won three of four races at Santa Anita Park | BloodHorse.com Track Profile">Santa Anita Park and subsequently produced two foals, went to Kristin Love near Sacramento and segued to Rachel Beasley in Loma Rica and Destiny Avilla in Grass Valley.

"I think racing was Nancy's life," Sands said. "She had racing on TV all the time. She loved having lunch in FrontRunner at Santa Anita, bringing her friends to watch her horses."

Messineo and Sands succeeded often, giving her many chances to head to the winner's circle and to collect win photos that adorned the walls of her home in Gardena, Calif. A California native, Messineo had worked for years as a real estate agent before turning to racehorse ownership.

"She put together a trust seven or eight years ago when she knew she was possibly going to get really sick," Sands said. "She wanted to donate to animal causes."

Sands explained that he and Messineo worked together to rehome their horses after their racing careers. They obtained several of their horses via the claim box and sometimes used that method to ensure a horse had a good second career. They owned $318,073-earner Hobbits Hero  for a time with other partners, and Sands said they claimed him back at the end of his career specifically to find him a home.

They claimed Oscar Dominguez for $40,000 in early 2019, and the son of Zoffany  placed in two graded stakes for them before winning that year's Hollywood Turf Cup while trained by Richard Baltas. A condylar fracture ended Oscar Dominguez's career at age 8 in 2021, and Messineo and Sands had surgery performed on the gelding.

"I first knew Oscar when he was with a different trainer," said Porubovich. "I regularly saw him at Richard Baltas' barn, and they knew that I was a fan of Oscar."

Messineo and Sands paid for the surgery and then asked Porubovich if she wanted him. She immediately said yes and has had the gelding for about two years.

"I've kept in touch quite a bit with Bruce," Porubovich said. "I know Nancy had been sick, so I didn't actually chat with her very much. But I have heard from many that she really did love her horses. They are definitely owners who cared about their horses and their wellbeing."

Messineo and Sands found an ideal spot for Oscar.

"He's spoiled," Porubovich admitted. "He's a little bit of a handful, but he really enjoys being out on the trails. I actually pony my other horse with him. He loves carrots and peppermints, though it took him a little time to like apples."

Baltas claimed North County Guy for $20,000 in 2018 for Little Red Feather Racing and Messineo. Sands later joined the partnership, and he and Messineo ultimately bought out Little Red Feather. In 2021, the gelded son of The Pamplemousse  captured the $201,500 Unusual Heat Turf Classic Stakes for California-breds and California-sired runners. He placed in three more stakes that year.

Today, North County Guy goes by the name Goose and is more often seen in a Western saddle. Beasley and her 12-year-old daughter Payton ride him.

"We kind of do a little bit of everything," Beasley said. "I actually started him a little bit in barrel racing, and so far he's doing pretty good. He's big boned—he's a big boy. He's quick and agile. He's a total sweetheart. We love him."

Messineo, Sands, and Larry Peal claimed Magical Touch in 2016 for $16,000 in her third start. In her next and final start, Magical Touch, a daughter of Cindago , won the Speedbelle Starter Handicap at Santa Anita.

Avilla is currently training Magical Touch, renamed Voodoo, to do gymkhana events.

"She's really good at poles," Avilla said. "She's also very maternal."

One of Avilla's children, 6-year-old River, became scared after taking a tumble from another horse, and Voodoo turned out to be the perfect horse for the girl to regain her confidence.

"She walks so slow when River's on her back," said Avilla. "She hardly picks her feet off the ground to accommodate for River's fear. It's just the cutest thing to see how she's so aware of who is on her back."

Magical Touch, North County Guy, and Oscar Dominguez have found meaningful second careers, and Sands said that Messineo wanted her final two racehorses, both daughters of Magical Touch, retired from racing upon her death. As a result, Sands took 4-year-old Grey Magic , who has made one start, and unraced 3-year-old Daddy's Magic out of training. He is currently searching for good forever homes for them.

"We felt personally responsible for those horses that were in our care," said Sands. "They all have good homes."

With her financial bequests, Messineo is ensuring the same for other horses.