Young Owners Tout Race-Day Experience

A Youtube video showing Anna Seitz, managing partner of Hit the Board Stables, cheering home the outfit's Thoroughbred I'm Already Sexy to a victory in this year's Modesty Handicap (gr. IIIT) at Arlington Park sums up the joys of racehorse ownership about as well as any words.

The video was played during a panel discussion of young people talking about Thoroughbred ownership at the Thoroughbred Owner Conference Oct. 15, at Keeneland. In talking about ownership, each panel member outlined spectacular days at the racetrack.

In re-watching the video from the stage as a panelist, Seitz laughed at herself as she cheers louder and louder, hopping up and down as I'm Already Sexy holds sway in the stretch. Seitz said she's especially attached to I'm Already Sexy because the ownership group behind the filly was the first put together by Seitz and her husband Evan Ciannello.

"I started going crazy," Seitz said. "Right there is a perfect example of why you should get involved in this sport. Where else can you get that kind of excitement?"

Panel member Price Bell, of Nicoma Bloodstock, the consulting arm of Mill Ridge Farm, also talked about the excitement of a horse you're connected with winning a big race. Monba, who was bred by Mill Ridge (Alice and John Chandler) and Jamm Ltd. (Audrey Otto), won the 2008 Toyota Blue Grass Stakes (gr. I).

Bell recalled the generations of breeding that would produce Monba and then talked about it all coming together in the Blue Grass. 

Phipps Stable racing manager Daisy Phipps Pulito said besides providing excitement, horses can keep a family close. She said horses like Easy Goer and Personal Ensign brought her and her siblings into racing. She said today, every time her accomplished racing family has a top horse, her far-flung family reconnects. She said that was the case with the victory by  Orb   in last year's Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I).

"Racing is one of those things we've all done together," Phipps said. "We all have different jobs in different parts in the country but having a top horse brings us all back together. We all got to Louisville for that Derby. We could all be there and celebrate together."

Claiborne Farm president Walker Hancock recalled how special the victory of Claiborne homebred Pulpit in the 1994 Blue Grass at Keeneland was for his family, recalling how nervous his father Seth was that morning and how much the win meant to his grandmother Waddell Hancock.

"It was just a great day all around and an exciting time for my family," Hancock said.

Phipps said because so much of the enjoyment of owning horses occurs at the track, it is important that top-notch facilities and hospitality are offered.

"Racetrack experience is the most important thing," Phipps said. "When new owners go to the track, they have to enjoy the experience. Tracks need to continue to go in the right direction and build facilities for owners and fans to enjoy."

Bradley Weisbord, U.S. racing adviser to Sheik Joaan Al Thani of Qatar's Al Shaqab Racing, noted that new owners probably won't be winning grade I races when they first enter the sport but can have the same thrills in winning a race with a $10,000 claiming horse. 

Weisbord also said that as much as he enjoys the horses, he also enjoys the personalities of the people who are attracted to horse racing. He said that is part of what makes owning a Thoroughbred special.

"It's about enjoying life," Weisbord said.

Wednesday's panel also included an informative presentation from Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association president Dan Metzger and Jockey Club vice president Gary Falter, who oversees Thoroughbred OwnerView, a joint initiative of TOBA and The Jockey Club to encourage Thoroughbred ownership and be a resource for owners.

Falter outlined the features on Equibase.com as well as Equineline.com while Metzger discussed The Blood-Horse magazine and depth of information on BloodHorse.com. Falter then presented the features on the Ownerview.com site.

The Jockey Club chairman Ogden Mills "Dinny" Phipps then closed out the conference, encouraging the new and prospective owners attending the conference to use the many tools now available as they wade into ownership.

"Do I have words of wisdom for fellow owners after all these years of breeding and racing?" said Phipps, who represents the third generation of his family to breed and race Thoroughbreds. "Really just a few. As an owner, you are paying the bills. You have rights; use them. Communicate clearly and often with your trainer, and make decisions together. Ask questions. Use modern tools to stay informed, follow, and manage your equine interests.

"I hope you get as much of a thrill out of racing as I have and still do," he said.