Owner Bryan Shares Credit for Exaggerator

In a universe of swirling egos, where owners spend money on Thoroughbreds hoping to see their name in lights at the Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum Brands (gr. I), Matt Bryan is a refreshing exception.

The tall, soft-spoken Texan has been a lifelong fan of the sport from the time he watched on a 13-inch TV as Seattle Slew ran through the Triple Crown series in 1977. He got involved in ownership with his friend Kirk Godby, who ran claimers in Louisiana trained by Keith Desormeaux.

Three years ago Bryan formed Big Chief Racing, and on May 7 he will watch the Derby from much closer range when his Exaggerator, winner of the Santa Anita Derby (gr. I) and trained by Desormeaux, will go postward as one of the race favorites.

Bryan is drinking in the atmosphere. He came to Churchill Downs to see Exaggerator’s final work April 30, and after going back home, returned to Louisville May 2 for the entire Derby week. Bryan, who owns M.G. Bryan Equipment Co., which builds sells, and rents engines, generators, and oil field service equipment around the world, sees himself as part of the team as opposed to the headliner.

“It’s not about the owners; that’s a big misconception,” Bryan said outside Barn 25 at Churchill waiting for Exaggerator to go to the track. “For us it’s about the team effort. If anything, we’re just kind of along for the ride.”

Bryan owns Exaggerator with fellow Texan Ronny Ortowski, who owns Rocking O Ranch in Texas; and Sol Kumin, who bought 20% of the horse in the name of his Head of Plains Partnership before Exaggerator ran in the March 12 San Felipe Stakes (gr. II).

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In his mid-40s, Bryan has accomplished quite a bit in just three years. He also owns Swipe, giving him the second- and fourth-place finishers in last year’s Breeders’ Cup Juvenile (gr. I). He has already won races such as the Risen Star Stakes (gr. II), Saratoga Special Stakes (gr. II), San Juan Capistrano Stakes (gr. IIIT), and the $1 million Delta Downs Jackpot Stakes (gr. III).

In 2012 Bryan observed Desormeaux buying horses at a Texas sale and had a coversation with him.

“Keith doesn’t talk a whole lot, but I had a gut feeling that if I raised some money, he’d be successful,” Bryan said.

Later that year the trainer bought Ive Struck a Nerve for Bryan for $82,000 at a 2-year-old auction. The following season the Yankee Gentleman   colt won the Risen Star Stakes at 135-1. Desormeaux continued to purchase and train stakes winners for Bryan, including Miss Machiavelli (a $20,000 purchase), La Grange ($17,000), Right There ($55,000), Swipe ($5,000), and Exaggerator ($110,000).

“I’d give anything to have the recording of when Keith called me after he bought Exaggerator,” Bryan said. “He was hyperventilating. He wanted him so bad he told me before the sale I was just going to have to figure out how to raise the money to pay for him.”

Desormeaux stays in for a piece of the horses he buys for Bryan, an arrangement the owner likes because his trainer has a financial stake in the decisions he makes. Desormeaux is also responsible for the stable name because from the beginning he referred to Bryan as “Chief.”

After winning the Delta Jackpot at 2, Exaggerator has come back this season to run second in the San Vicente (gr. III) and third in the San Felipe before freaking on a sloppy track to take the Santa Anita Derby by 6 ¼ lengths. He has already banked better than $1.6 million.

“It’s phenomenal what has occurred,” Bryan said. “But it’s about Keith and Julie Clark, his assistant trainer, and his program. He’s an old-school trainer and a true horseman.”

Bryan said his favorite part of participating is the mornings, when he is able to go to the barn, observe Desormeaux and his team at work, and walk to the track with his horses. The Derby week is just icing on the cake.

“Any time you buy a horse you want to be in the Kentucky Derby,” he said. “Now, do you ever think you’ll actually be in the Derby? Probably not, but we’ve been very fortunate. And you never stop dreaming.”

And that’s no exaggeration.