Rosenblum Chats La Verdad, Breeders’ Cup, Racing and More

Sheila Rosenblum guides La Verdad to the winner's circle after her win in the Grade 2 Gallant Bloom Stakes on Sept. 26 at Belmont Park. (Photo by Penelope P. Miller/America's Best Racing)
Sheila Rosenblum’s hard work has paid off and her risk has been rewarded. The former ballerina and professional model entered the racing world as an owner five years ago. She might’ve struggled early, but her fortunes turned in 2013 when she teamed up with New York-based trainer Linda Rice. They purchased a filly named La Verdad and thanks to the now 5-year-old mare, Rosenblum is headed to the Breeder’s Cup World Championships for the first time.
America’s Best Racing first profiled Rosenblum at Saratoga in 2014 when her friend Jill Zarin, formerly of Bravo’s “The Real Housewives of New York City”, had just invested in Rosenblum’s racing syndicate Lady Sheila Stables Two.
Now, a year later, Rosenblum’s racing operation has grown and La Verdad has put her in position to experience the thrill of a lifetime at Keeneland Race Course next weekend when she races in the Breeders’ Cup.
America’s Best Racing’s Dan Tordjman caught up with Rosenblum, asking about La Verdad and whether or not she’ll take on males in the Breeders’ Cup Sprint. They also discussed the thrill of racing ownership and how racing can attract new and younger fans and owners.
Can you describe your level of excitement about the prospect of La Verdad running at the Breeders’ Cup?
Rosenblum: I would put it right up there with thinking that I’m about to be in the Royal Ballet doing my first “Swan Lake.” I’ve worked very hard for it, years for it. We all know that the one thing that La Verdad hasn’t attained is that Grade 1, big moment. She came in fifth in the Grade 1 Ballerina Stakes last August at Saratoga. It means so much for me, for her. I’m excited. This is major.
La Verdad has been cross-entered for the Breeders’ Cup Filly and Mare Sprint going seven furlongs and in the Sprint against males going six furlongs (three-quarters of a mile). Where might she end up?
Rosenblum: She’s been so incredible and so consistent that the committee absolutely thinks she’s worthy of being with the boys. She’s been a phenomenal Grade 2 winner but it’s that one elusive Grade 1, they don’t have enough of them at 6 or 6 1/2 furlongs, that I have to do it with the boys. We would definitely do the filly sprint but when you know your horse - she talks to us, she lets us know - she’s won at seven furlongs, she’s won at a mile, but it’s not her thing. I would say it’s looking more and more like we might take a chance against the boys, but we’ll see the odds shortly, on Monday (when Breeders’ Cup fields are set and posts are drawn). The one thing we all like is the six furlongs versus seven, that’s a seriously big part of this decision making process.
Do you think that La Verdad can or should be considered the sprinting version of Beholder, who will take on the boys in the Breeders’ Cup Classic?
Rosenblum: Listen, would I love to say yes? Do I think [La Verdad] is a brilliant star? I mean, she runs brilliantly at her speed, but I would still say that Beholder’s track record is proven with the distance and the Grade 1s. I think La Verdad is great but still in a different category. She’s certainly worthy of a darn-serious shot at taking on the boys.
ROSENBLUM PLANTS A KISS ON LA VERDAD

Photo by Penelope P. Miller/America's Best Racing
She’s been great the past couple of years but this year, specifically, La Verdad is unbeaten with three Grade 2 wins. Does that give you that added confidence you have in her?
Rosenblum: She’s been running better and more conditioned than she’s ever been. She got a break that she needed [a layoff from last November to this past April, when she won the Grade 2 Distaff Handicap at Aqueduct by 5 1/4 lengths], she’ll probably be going to the breeding shed, eventually. She’s just working phenomenally. The plan would be to fly her over [to Keeneland] on Monday. She’s just performing at the top of her game. I think she can do anything, I think she can surprise the boys.
A lot of the owners at the Breeders’ Cup have been around for 20 or 30 years. This is what makes your story so cool. You jumped into ownership about five years ago and it wasn’t until the last few years, since connection with trainer Linda Rice, that you’ve truly emerged as a force in the owner ranks. Take us through how it all came together, culminating in this special moment with La Verdad.
Rosenblum: It started with making the change 2 1/2 years ago, I wanted a New York trainer. Hooking up with Linda, I was impressed by her and I had followed her career since I’d gotten involved in racing. I did not have any major desire or need for a female trainer. I knew I wanted a trainer in New York, somewhere in the vicinity of Belmont or Aqueduct. I am an owner who is hands-on and I wanted to be able to [keep our horses close to me in New York], to feed them carrots, go in the barn and their stalls and touch them. I was very taken by Linda and her barn. The place was immaculate, the horses were sparkling, so my horses went to her.
I went out on a limb to purchase La Verdad because she did not vet out. But Linda begged me to buy her. I wasn’t even necessarily wanting to buy another horse. I said, listen, you think this horse is going to be OK when two vets were saying don’t buy her, she didn’t even vet out 100-percent? The good news is that 2 1/2 years later, she has no changes, she’s quite unblemished to this day. Into the deal was thrown her half-sister Hot City Girl [recent winner of the Grade 3, $350,000 Charles Town Oaks], so it turned out to be a very good business deal for myself, upon listening to the advice of a trainer who knows horses. So, La Verdad proceeded to win and win and win. Ironically, she gave me the confidence and my love of the sport a lot stronger, and I’ve learned a heck of a lot and I have a lot more to learn.
ROSENBLUM AT THE RACES

Courtesy of Sheila Rosenblum
You didn’t have the smoothest introduction to racing and initially invested in horses who didn’t pan out nearly as well as La Verdad. You stuck to it, though.
Rosenblum: My perseverance from my ballet background and modeling background gave me what it took to be able to take a challenge and not just run away with my head in the sand. With Linda, my luck really turned around. It’s like a New York love story, my story with La Verdad. She’s really my third child. I always say, it’s my kids Kara, who is a freshman at Penn and is wonderful, charming and brilliant, my entrepreneurial, artistic son Erik [I’ve named my first two horses after them] and La Verdad. I love the fact that she’s a New York-bred. There are incredible perks. They perform and are taken seriously. It’s kind of like my story, where being taken a little seriously now is a real pleasure, because I don’t think I was for a while.
What should your story say to people who have considered the prospect of ownership but haven’t gone through with it?
Rosenblum: I think that people should absolutely get involved with a syndication [or racing partnership where investors own shares in horses]. Trust the team and do your homework. It just so happens that I have a few female syndications [including Lady Sheila Stables Two and Triumphant Trio]. Make sure that the managing partner, which in my case is me, is trustworthy, has honor, has integrity, has a good team, an accountant and a good trainer around them. It’s a very challenging sport. For me, the blessing is that it started as a hobby and what I passionately liked to do, which the timing was perfect as my kids got older. It turned into a full-fledged business. Until people are savvy enough and know enough, nobody should have to make the mistakes that I made, independently and alone. Make sure to study and to know for sure that the group you’re with has as a good reputation and shows integrity and honesty. I’m trying to bring women in to enjoy the excitement of actually being in a win picture and the thrill of seeing the races.
What we do, as America’s Best Racing, is try to get new fans and younger fans interested in the sport. What do you think we should be doing as an industry to get more new blood into the game, both as fans and ultimately owners?
Rosenblum: I think we need to take as an example the formats that seem to work, like Keeneland and Saratoga. Make the tracks more family-oriented, incorporate fun things to do so that people want to go and they say “let’s go, we’ll have a nice lunch,” and so on. Personally, I like my New York tracks, but they’re a little big. I think we all need to follow the method of making it more warm and embracing. We’ve got to make it more about youth, about fun, embracing families and making it a lot more of an endearing place to be. They’ve got to use the formats that work. We need to bring the fun back and we need to bring the glamour back.
Extended Q&A with Rosenblum

Name: Sheila Rosenblum of Lady Sheila Stable
How and when I was introduced to Thoroughbred racing: I’d say it was about 20 years ago. I went to Belmont as someone’s guest and watched some horses do their morning exercise. Honestly, I fell in love with that on the spot and told myself I’d own a horse one day. Twenty-plus horses later, I’m living my dream!
My favorite racetrack: Of course, I’m partial to the New York tracks, Belmont and Aqueduct, but I do have a soft spot for Keeneland. It’s really nice and it seems to attract a fun, hip crowd. Hopefully, Belmont will emulate the Keeneland style in the coming years.
My favorite Thoroughbred racing event: The [Kentucky] Derby! Though, lately it’s been the Breeders’ Cup. [laughs]
Other sports/teams I follow: Hmmm, I do love tennis a lot. And ice skating! I love to ski, and, for a former dancer, ballet is most definitely a sport, so I follow that closely. Dancers, companies — I’ll always be in love with that world.
What I would like to see more of in Thoroughbred racing: More integrity and honesty. I think that would really make the sport more alluring to families, because it’s a classic, American, good-hearted sport that everyone is always thrilled with. To me, those thrills are most special when you can share it with your children.
What I would like to see less of in Thoroughbred racing:  The corruption. It may not be the most politically correct answer, but it’s my honest answer. I admire ambition and the drive to compete, but there’s a dark side to both that can lead to unfortunate situations.
Three words that define what Thoroughbred racing means to me: Elegance. Speed. Power.
Favorite all-time Thoroughbred: La Verdad … of course! [laughs]
My personal best moment in the sport of Thoroughbred racing: Without a doubt, the Critical Eye [Stakes] winner’s circle at Belmont with La Verdad and my two favorite people in the world: my daughter, Kara, and my son, Erik.

Photo by Susie Raisher/NYRA
Best racetrack food can be found at: In my experience, the buffets at Belmont’s Trustees’ Room are easily the best I’ve had. I’d recommend it to anyone.
My favorite jockey: Currently? Jose Ortiz is my pride and joy! Of all time, I’d say Mike Smith. That’s someone I’ve admired for a very long time.
My favorite trainer: Linda Rice! [laughs]
My heroes: Audrey Hepburn, Margot Fonteyn, Golda Meir … how’s that for elegance, speed and power? [laughs]
Person in Thoroughbred racing I’d like to have dinner with: The Zayat family! They’re a truly wonderful bunch.
Philosophy on life: There’s a Maya Angelou quote that’s always resonated with me: “My mission in life is not merely to survive, but to thrive; and to do so with some passion, some humor and some style.”
Favorite non-Thoroughbred racing sports event I have attended: Men’s Finals at U.S. Open. Find something more thrilling than that, and I’m there!
Best book I recently read: “Shantaram,” by Gregory Roberts is easily my favorite book. An incredible read, and if you love history and love Indian culture, I urge you to read it — it’s phenomenal! The latest great book I read was Paula McLain’s “Circling the Sun.”
Favorite quote or motto: Aside from that quote by Maya Angelou, I guess I’m really drawn to the wit and wisdom of Winston Churchill. “Success consists of going from failure to failure without loss of enthusiasm,” and “If you’re going through hell, keep going,” are two of the most brilliant things ever said, don’t you think?
Favorite animal other than a horse: Dog, hands down! Just pure perfection all around!
Favorite food: In terms of cuisine? Italian. French comes close, but no one does chicken and veal like Italy.
Favorite vacation spot: Capri! Not only is it beyond gorgeous, the food is also beyond exquisite!
Favorite city: I’m most definitely a New York City girl.
Favorite musician/band: David Chesky! And if you don’t know him and his music, you’re missing out. New, nostalgic, and beautiful music — just very impressed by him and his talent.
Favorite TV show: “Shameless,” “Breaking Bad,” “Nurse Jackie,” “Grey’s Anatomy” … and in terms of classics, “I Love Lucy” and “Hart to Hart.” Both of those shows were all about wit, timing and good old-fashioned chemistry …
Favorite hotel: That’s easy — The Grand Hotel Quisisana in Capri!
Websites I visit daily: Bloodhorse.com and hermes.com. And if I have to jump in a car and forget the paper at home, I’ll finish it up on newyorktimes.com. Oh, and lately, I’ve been a fan of Twitter! Everything one needs is somehow always there … funny, isn’t it?
Favorite movie about horse racing: It’s tough to narrow it down, because I’m such a sucker for “National Velvet.” But “Seabiscuit” and “Secretariat” were really, really great, too!
Alma Mater:  Royal Ballet School of London.
Favorite memento: Hmm … I guess I have moved on beyond my “good luck shoes,” come to think of it. A dear friend gave my sister and I matching bracelets, and every time I have a great day or a great moment in the stands, I notice I’m wearing it. So it’s become my new lucky charm!
Favorite dessert: Literally, anything mocha and caramel — especially when it’s ice cream!
Favorite drink: Château Lafite! [laughs] So much so, I named a horse after it!
Favorite scent: Vetiver, by Guerlain
Favorite tech gadget: I have two! My iPad and the blessed Mophie that keeps my iPhone from dying every day.
Twitter handle: @SheilaRosenblum
People I follow on Twitter: NYRA, Blood-Horse, Jose Ortiz, Ahmed and Justin Zayat, various racing reporters, Hermes, Ralph Lauren, Dior, Chanel, news outlets, my friends and some lawmakers and influencers.
No. 1 Bucket-List item: The Derby — not only to be in it, but to win it!