winds wrote:I worked for both Joe and Charlsie. As a groom for Joe but as Charlsie's assistant for 3 years. She was the best to work for, a great boss, but then so was Joe. I don't know if John Hicks became a steward, I hope so, he's a good horseman too.
I've retired from that end of it, physical problems, but I've got a broodmare who I'm breeding to race, but selling the yearlings. Can't afford to race them myself unless we get more partners and my partner doesn't want to do that..............yet. I'm working on her.
Sounds like you have the best of all worlds the way you're doing it. Good for you. This industry needs as many horsemen in it as possible.
winds
That's right....it's coming back to me:>) I asked if you were there when Billy was galloping for Joe....think I told you the Damascus Blade story:>) I liked both the Cantey's as well.....
It's tough when you have to bring them all the way up from babies....it gets expensive, then on track expenses are crazy. As long as they sell OK and cover expenses and a few nights out....the breeder's awards are good in PA, so you'll always get a piece of the action. Enough pieces then you can hang on to that one that winks at you before he stands and nurses:>)
It's working OK for me....I've been getting them at the right price, work on them, move them up....get a couple good races out of them and sell the sound ones for a profit to people I feel will give them a good home. The bad ones I hang on to so I can protect them along the way.....I had a real nice two year old, but he had a lot of problems. Ran him in a MDSPWT at 2 and he finished 5th of 11 going 7/8ths. Came out of the race bad so I gave him 6 months off and brought him back for a high tag. Finished 3rd beaten a 1 1/4 going 1 1/8th. Came out bad again, gave him another 7 months off and he recently broke his maiden....had a couple decent offers on him, but after all this time he's my pal. I don't want anyone else to push him past the point of no return now that he's traveling well.....I've handled him the old school way, protected him while I got him fit with long gallops and 2 minute licks.....a couple easy halfs and he's good to go. He's holding up very well right now....but I've got a good home all ready picked out for him if things go south again.....wouldn't be fair to bring him back for a 3rd time:>) TJ
