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QH Racing Talk Podcast: Episode 54 - New Owner Series: Part 3
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StallioneSearch.com releases its newest episode of QH Racing Talk — Weekly, featuring another round of industry leaders discussing key topics centered on attracting new owners into the sport of Quarter Horse racing.
Each episode in this multi-part series focuses on a different stage of the ownership experience, offering practical insight from individuals currently participating at the highest level of the sport. In this episode, All American Futurity-winning owner Bill Robbins, Louisiana horseman Jerry “Buddy” Deville, and stallion owner Marcos Galvan join the discussion as panelists for Part 3.
It's Quarter Horse Racing Talk Weekly for Wednesday, March 25th. If you are already addicted to this podcast, well, we are sorry, not sorry. Where we talk to the legends and the newsmakers. If you aren't listening to this, can you really call yourself much of a quarter horse racing fan? Introducing our host, Greg Thompson and co-host, Bailey Ivy. It's Quarter Horse Racing Talk Weekly.
SPEAKER_11Hey Bailey, I got something for you to listen to. Take a peek.
SPEAKER_14Here at Stallion Research University, at the Thompson Ivy School of Ownership.
SPEAKER_16Greg, you can't be serious.
SPEAKER_14We offer a hands-on program of learning the ins and outs of quarter horse racing ownership. It is our commitment in excellence.
SPEAKER_16Is this what you do in your free time?
SPEAKER_14That will drive the new ownership into the new millennium. Only here at Stallion Research University.
SPEAKER_16Eh, that's borderline ridiculous, don't you think?
SPEAKER_11Well, I already have three or four people signed up. I've already put in applications. I got uh tuition coming this way. So what you're saying is you don't want a percentage of that.
SPEAKER_16Well, anyway to make a dollar, right?
SPEAKER_11Absolutely. On this episode, we're continuing on our series of educating new owners. I we're actually going to speak with owners this time around. We've most of the time we've been talking with either trainers or or uh even stallion farm owners that have been talking about their direction and giving their expertise. Now we're gonna talk about those people that put their money where their mouth is and actually spend the money and pay for the training rates for these trainers, and that's the owners.
SPEAKER_16Yes, we're gonna talk a little bit about how they got started, what surprised them along the way, and what's kept them involved in this great sport.
SPEAKER_11And also maybe capture what it is about the sport that continues to drive people to continue to do this type of thing. It, you know, it's not a secret. A lot of owners out there will say, well, you know, this is not something that's gonna make you a lot of money, except for those people, Bailey, that win the big grade ones that have the big name stallions, that have the big name brood mares. Now they don't say those kind of things.
SPEAKER_16I think we're gonna hear a lot of the adrenaline and the winning is what keep people going.
SPEAKER_11And also, Bailey, I think a great stance to go into this edition of the series is that we're going to reach out to owners that are on different ends of the spectrum, some that are spending a tremendous amount of money in the industry and as well as somebody that fits right in the middle there.
SPEAKER_16Yes, Greg, this is what this series is all about, helping people to understand a little bit more about quarter horse racing and feeling confident to get involved.
SPEAKER_11Truly, it's about having fun and enjoying it. If it's not in an enjoyable situation or an enjoyable experience, Bailey, people are not going to continue to do it. So it's our hope that they can learn something from hearing about others' experiences of maybe some of the holes they stepped in or maybe the path to success that they took that makes it enjoyable for them to keep going in the sport. And with that, we'll be right back after these words from our sponsor to get right into this new series from the owner's perspective of educating new folks coming into the industry.
SPEAKER_10The AQHA Racing Challenge season is getting ready to kick off with the finals on March 28th. Follow the road to the AQHA Racing Challenge Championships and keep up with upcoming races across the country. Learn more at AQHA.com slash racing.
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SPEAKER_09Alright, back to the podcast.
SPEAKER_11Alright, we're back here on Quarter Horse Racing Talk, ready to get into our segment where we talk with the owners that have a bit of experience in the quarter horse racing world, kind of referencing some of the things they would probably try to talk themselves out of doing if they only had the chance to go back and have a conversation with their prior self. As when they were entering the quarter horse racing world, and this interview here is with owner Bill Robbins, winner of the All-American Futurity with Apocalyptical Jess, with trainer Blaine Wood. And I was speaking with Bailey. We've had trainers that have won the All-American Futurity, but I believe this is our first owner that has won the All-American to be on the actual podcast here on Quarter Horse Racing Talk Weekly. And without further ado, let's get into this conversation with Bill Robbins, former winner of the All-American Futurity as an owner. Bill, thanks so much for joining us here on Quarter Horse Racing Talk Podcast Weekly to really just kind of explain your experience in the quarter horse world as an owner. Well, thanks for having me. Glad to do it. Hey Bill, talk to me how you've got a very interesting story that you've actually shared one time and I was able to hear it. But for the listeners for the podcast, kind of share how you got into the sport of quarter horse racing.
SPEAKER_06Yeah, so I uh got into it with uh dating my girlfriend at the time, who's been my wife for 37 years. Her father uh was Danny Miller, and he is was racing horses primarily down in Louisiana. And I didn't know much about uh horse racing and very even less than that about quarter horse racing, but got into it and really just kind of fell in love with the sport. And I think I got my first uh horse in 1992 or 93, so been at it ever since.
SPEAKER_11Bill, if you were able to go back in time and tell Bill Robbins when he first got started in the quarter horse world, if there was something you could steer him in to a direction of maybe to ensure its success or maybe try to yield a higher level of success, and maybe not a pitfall that you might have run through this through the process of being own owner, what would that be that you could go back and kind of instruct yourself, don't go down this path?
SPEAKER_06Yeah, I think you know, maybe two things. One is that you know, purchasing the horse is you know, frankly, uh you know, just kind of the beginning. And you know, sometimes people look at it and say, Well, I could, you know, purchase this horse and get it cheap or whatever. You know, once once you buy them, it costs the same to raise, it costs the same to train and to feed and vet bills and futurity payments, all of that. So, you know, my advice to myself would be look, you know, I'd I'd rather you kind of save up and afford the very best horse you can, uh, versus thinking, well, I'll just, you know, I'll just get in with a cheaper one. I get it, we all have budget budgets, you know, Lord knows uh my budget back then was a lot less than what I could afford now, but but I think you know, buying the best horse you can uh is is a better idea than you know buying a cheap one or buying three or four cheap ones, thinking that's gonna improve your odds. So buy the best horse you can. And secondly, you know, look who you who you use as a trainer matters. Um not just from a talent perspective, there's definitely good trainers out there, but having somebody that you're comfortable with, somebody that you trust, somebody that communicates the way you want to communicate, uh, is really important to kind of enjoy the experience and to learn along the way. So do your homework on selecting a trainer as well.
SPEAKER_11Well, I know that the trainer that you choose obviously is also the direction your horse is going to run in. I'm talking about regionally, but you mentioned that your wife was from Louisiana, and I believe you guys had spent some time in California. So there's uh and and I know you've run horses in New Mexico and Texas as well. What what direction do you kind of point towards when you buy when you're buying a horse, where are you wanting to go with it and and why?
SPEAKER_06Yeah, that you know, again, great question. Um look, I I think i if I was just starting out and I just had one horse, you know, I would definitely want to run where I could enjoy it, right? So if I was based in Texas, I'd you know want to run you know in Texas, or maybe you're willing to drive up to Remington Park or out to you know Rio Dosa, Sunland, uh, you know, do that. If I was based in Iowa, I'd want to run in Iowa. If not being out in California, then you know going down to La Salle matters. So, you know, I I would say you know, picking a horse, you know, there's you put a lot of time and effort into it. And yes, of course, you can watch them over the internet these days, but there's nothing quite like being able to go and watch your house horse gallop in the morning and you know go scratch its ears and uh you know in the barn and you know watch it actually race in person. So, you know, that that's what I would I would start with. It's just a place where you're gonna be able to enjoy it and look at every place, whether it's Iowa, California, New Mexico, you know, Texas, Louisiana, you know, there's if you have a good horse, there's plenty of races you can put him in and you know try to you know try to go after some of the bigger money, but race race where you're comfortable and where you're gonna get to enjoy the experience.
SPEAKER_11Bill, I've seen you active at the yearling sales with the trainers that you work with. As it pertains to the experience that you've had and also pointing it towards new owners, what kind of direction can you give them as as of pertaining to the direction or or basically the participation of picking out a yearling at a sale? Is do you feel that it enhances the experience to be real hands-on, or is are you better off at letting the experts use their expertise to pick out a horse that's more than likely going to yield some s some kind of success for you?
SPEAKER_06Yeah, look, I I think it's great to be involved. Um, but you know, the most of these trainers out there, you know, have have forgotten more about racing horses and what makes a good race horse than all ever know. So, you know, the first thing I would say is if if you pick out a trainer that you trust and that's who you want to go with, they should they should lead that process. You can be involved in it, you can learn and ask questions and you know, go look at horses and learn why maybe they don't like the way one moves or they don't like the confirmation, or you know, you you can learn in that process uh and you can contribute, but I think you need to make sure that the horse you ultimately uh get is one that your trainer believes in. You want them feeling confident about it and thinking that horse has a chance versus well, they just got saddled with you know some horse that uh that they didn't like. So I I think it's fun to be part of that process, it's exciting, uh you know, it it's a big part of it, uh, but definitely leverage the trainer uh because they're experienced and they can you know guide you and they look they they don't make a lot of money unless you make a lot of money. So they're gonna try to find horses that they believe have all the attributes necessary uh to be competitive here in this quarter horse racing world.
SPEAKER_11Now, Billy, you've been able to experience the highest level of success in the quarter horse racing world, aka the all-American Faturity. What is it that keeps you hooked and keeps you going to these sales and spending the money at the yearling sales that you spend to keep raising your hand at a at a yearling sale and keep upping a price on a yearling that's that's certainly getting out of some people's price range?
SPEAKER_06Yeah, no, look, I I've been extremely fortunate and who knows if something like that'll ever happen again, but that is part of the allure is to is to think that you know I've got as good a shot of winning it as as somebody who's never won it or you know, as somebody who's won it two, you know, two times. So uh, you know, each year is a new year, so you know, going after that matters. Um look, I I also you know I breed horses as well, and part of going to a yearling sale is you know, looking at, you know, maybe I'm buying a uh a Philly that I really love her breeding and I love the way she looks and the way she moves. And yes, we think she's gonna make a good racehorse, but we also think she can be a good broodmare and improve you know the quality of my broodmare band. So, you know, that that that's part of it as well. Um, and look, it this is a hobby or a business, you know, whatever it is to you that uh or for every one, you know, high moment, right? Even if it's winning a maiden race or a trial or whatever, you're gonna have you know nine, ten, maybe twenty disappointing moments. And you just kind of have to recognize that that it's asymmetrical. The number of lows is far greater than the number of highs, but the feeling of the high when you win and have that success of, hey, I picked one out at a at a at a cell, and we put it with a trainer, and the jockey, you know, galloped it in the morning, broke it, and ultimately got to the point where now it's gone out and it's performed and competed and we got a win picture. Well, that that's just something I truly enjoy. And then maybe last but not least is you know, there's a lot of good people in this business. Uh, I've made a lot of friends and I like associating with them. And as long as they're running, you know, running honest and they beat me, I'm happy for them, and I'm gonna try hard to beat them. So, you know, being in this in this industry, it's a small community, and I really enjoy the people that I interact with. So, you know, it's become a part of my life. And yeah, I know that the odds of me winning an all-American are slim, another one are slim, but it could happen, and I'm just gonna keep trying.
SPEAKER_11Well, Bill, thanks so very much for getting on the podcast, especially to talk with new owners that are listening to the podcast and wanting to get into the sport. This is the whole point of the series. And for you to get on and share your experience, that's just fantastic, and we certainly appreciate it.
SPEAKER_06Well, I was glad to do that, glad to do it, and certainly wish uh all new owners out there uh a lot of success and hope they enjoy the business.
SPEAKER_11Yes, and hopefully they finish second behind you. At any rate, sure. That's true. Thanks again, Bill. All right, you bet, Greg.
SPEAKER_00Mark your calendars. Riodozo horse sales have released their 2026 dates. The New Mexico bread sale is set for Saturday, August 15th, followed by the Riyadoso Select Yearlink sale on September 4th and 5th. Times are still to be determined, so stay tuned and make your plans now.
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SPEAKER_09Alright, back to the podcast.
SPEAKER_11Alright, we're back here, getting into our next segment here with one of our owners that we're talking about his experience in the quarter horse racing world, and that's Jerry Deville Jr., also known as Buddy Deville. Hails from Louisiana, and one of the things about Buddy is he gets involved in partnerships as well as he owns some horses outright by himself, but he's also expanded out and he's running horses up at Remington. And I know that he's shooting at some of the horses to go to the Triple Crown. And I imagine anywhere his horses can be competitive is where he's trying to run, but gives a great perspective. And he is one of those owners that did start in the claiming section and then progressed on to pulling in the yearlings from the sales and joins us here on the podcast to explain his experience as well as some great insight as for new owners coming into the sport. Buddy, thanks so very much for being here on Quota Horse Racing Talk Weekly and also sharing your perspective of this new owner segment that we have here on the on the podcast. Thank you, Colin Bob. How y'all y'all doing okay? We're doing great. Buddy, give us an idea how you got into the sport as an owner.
SPEAKER_04Greg, um, my grandfather raced horses when I was a kid, and I actually used to I used to gallop a little bit when I was younger, and then um, you know, I did it until I was about, I don't know, 12 or 13, and then he got out of the business, and my dad skipped it. Um I was my dad worked for J.E. Juminville in Louisiana at one point. So I was I've been around it a lot of my childhood, and then time grew, and I became an adult and worked worked hard, and I always liked animals, I always liked something I could take my family to do. And I stumbled upon a friend of mine one day and he said, Hey, my dad's a core horse trainer. That was Mr. Ned Guter. And um, so Mr. Ned and I talked, and that's kind of how my journey began in it. We we went at it, you know, and he kind of led me in in the direction of it. And first thing we did the first time was we claimed the horse. We went, you know, asked him, you know, what to do and how to go about doing it. And you know, the best suggestion he had, and the same one I would have to any new owners, um, is do what your budget allows, you know. If you if you can go to the sale and buy an expensive horse, and that's what you decide you want to do, do it. But I just love it because it's such a family-oriented sport, Greg, and we got into it and it was a big claimed the horse and had a little success, and you know, it just went from there.
SPEAKER_11Taking that claiming direction, a lot of new owners don't take that direction. It's actually, I wouldn't say it's an outdated direction that a lot of folks get into the industry for, but you would be firsthand of being able to tell a person that if you're going through the yearling route, you're going to buy something in the summertime and you're not going to actually get to see it go down the racetra until definitely all the way into March, maybe even further into the summertime. So kind of give a new owner a perspective of what's important as an owner that's gone that route of what to expect.
SPEAKER_04I think as an owner or a potential new owner, someone wanting to get into it, the number one thing is to do something that's fun. Do something that doesn't disable you financially. We all know that this can be an expensive hobby, but at the same time, it can be a fun hobby where you can go and enjoy it. And so I just depend on the budget. If a guy's successful, he went in the family successful, and you know, you want to go to the yearling sale. Like you said, when you go to the yearling sale in August, September, and you buy one, you got another, you know, you got another seven, eight months before you really see the horse develop and see what its potential is. That's the way if you go get a claimer, you spend a lot less money for that first investment, bringing the kids, bringing the wife, whoever it may be in turn. And then you see, okay, this is fun. Potential of us having a champion from claiming a horse at that price is very minimal, but you get your feet wet, the expenses are not quite as much because the horse is already trained, the horse is already broke, and you go out and have immediate fun. And then, you know, after that, you decide, okay, well, that was fun. Now, how do we get out of this horse and the sales are next year and find your trainer that you build a relationship? And you know, the thing about the horse business is there's so many good people in it, there's so many people that will lead you in the right direction. If you get with a seasoned trainer that's had some success and they didn't know where your budget is, I mean, I hear it all the time at the sales grid to where God says, Hey, we got$30,000 to spend on a horse. Well, there's a lot of horses that cost a lot less than$30,000 that go on and make$100,000,$300,000. You know, you you know a horse from the name of the Louisiana man was a$13,000 yearling at the Louisiana sale, and his campaign was a little over$350,000 for us in 2025. So I just think the the basic thing of the deal for anybody getting into it is just make sure you don't overextend yourself financially. Make sure you're having fun, and then make sure you with people that you can trust and have so many in the business that you can get with and lead you in the right direction and um can grow in the sport and have a good time.
SPEAKER_11Buddy, how long do you think you've been an owner now? How many years do you think? I think our first one was 2015 or 2017, I don't remember. So almost a decade now. Yeah, almost 10 years, yeah. Buddy, if you could go back and take a time machine and go talk to Buddy Deville 10 years ago, what do you think you would tell yourself 10 years ago that if I had to do it all over again, I would have avoided this or I would have at least been prepared for this?
SPEAKER_04When you talk to your trainers and stuff, or you talk to a seasoned horseman, they'll tell you you can't outrun class. Well, when you hear that as a new owner, you don't really understand what that means. But what that means and what it meant that I didn't understand was the mayorpower. The horses that have the mayorpower, the mayor that produces one after another, or two or three out of the last five have been credible and made some money. If you can afford that horse and it's built correctly, the structure's there, I would think it's worth having. One horse saved for$40,000. Then, like the first year I went to the sale, I bought 10 horses, and I don't think I bought one over$15,000. Well, after that purchase, it all costs the same. Training them cost the same, breaking them cost the same, the entry fees are the same for the furities, but my success in making it to the finals are not the same. So I think that's one thing that I messed up at first is I had a budget of saying, okay, I want to spend$100,000 that year to race horses. Well, I thought, well, I'm going to just buy me a bunch of cheaper horses. I have more options at it. And I got lucky that year as well because I bought a T Cos Philly for$4,700 to fast qualifier for the last season. It just don't happen like that every day. So I think the thing that I would say I wouldn't do, and I would do, is I'd spend less on a bunch and I'd buy less numbers on more quality horses. I think that'd be the number one thing I'd change.
SPEAKER_11As it pertains, and I'm talking about the modern day of Buddy Deville, you spend enough money at the horse sales that you uh many of the trainers or really any pretty much any of the trainers would like to have you as a client. How is it that you choose a trainer, which trainer to choose? And as it pertains to a new owner getting in there in the sport, what are some of the characteristics you would urge them that this is what you need to look in for when you choose a trainer?
SPEAKER_04Well, Greg, um choosing a horse trainer is no different than choosing, in so many words, a wife or a style of relationship or anything of car salesperson. We all walk up and we all have our own personality. Um what works for Buddy DeVille may not work for Greg Thompson or may not work for the next one, but find somebody you can talk to and you feel comfortable talking to. And if you're getting in the business, more than likely a you're a friend of a friend, or you somebody brought you here, you didn't just show up at the racetrack and decide you want a harsh business. And if you did, talk around, find who's in that winner circle. Go ask them the same question you're asking me now on this podcast. It's like, what led you to Kenny Roberts? What led you to Orlando Roscoe? What led you to Jose Espinosa? What led you to, you know, um, all the other trainers that's out there, Lady Keith, all the guys we have in Louisiana, everybody has their favorite trainer, and it's most of it, I believe, is built on trust and personalities and relationships, you know, just being in a relationship because when you win a trainer, you trusted him. He's got your horse, he's got basically an opening checkbook of what he needs to spend on that horse. And so you have to make sure every night when you go to sleep and every morning you feel like your trainer's in it to win it for you. And, you know, like I said at the beginning, every one of us has a different personality. So the trainer that's right for me may not be the same trainer that's right for the next person.
SPEAKER_11If somebody to ask you, well, Buddy, why is it that you do it? Why what is it that drives you to do all of this in the quarter horse racing business? You have already pointed out a lot of it. A lot of folks view it as a very expensive hobby. It's not always financially beneficial for everyone involved. But what is it that keeps driving you to continue to do it?
SPEAKER_04It's gonna sound kind of crazy on this part, but every time I don't win a race, that makes me want to try harder. Um, I'm a competitor, I've always been a competitor in one fashion or another. But the driving force to me is I can't win every race. The driving force to me is I want to win every race. And the next thing that keeps me there is you've been around for the trials of the meet or the finals of the meeter the laddie, the lassie. I'll have 40 or 50 people in my immediate family that's there surrounding me, supporting me. So, and then me and my partners have their family becomes family. So we've just we've taken it on as a um sport, also a gathering place for us, a clean spot to go have a lot of fun. And we've been blessed and made some made some good choices, had some good horses. So naturally it's more fun on them days, but I think the thing that drives me the most is the fact that I know every day I'm not gonna win a race. Every race I'm not gonna win, and I just want to try to get better and better at what I do. That's probably my driving for me.
SPEAKER_11Well, buddy, thanks so very much for getting on here and discussing what it is that kind of drives you to continue to do what you're doing in the sport. And uh absolutely thanks so very much for giving an education and your perspective. Maybe it will help a new guy get into the sport that maybe has some questions that they didn't have answered and now they do have them answered.
SPEAKER_04Yes, sir. And if I can help anyone along the way, make sure you send them my way. Thank you so much for having me.
SPEAKER_11All right, the standout sire spotlight for Dunn Ranch this week goes to In Hot Pursuit, the multiple Grade One Place Brother to two-time champion hot stepper. As In Hot Pursuit was the runner-up finisher in the Grade 1 Ed Burke Million Faturity, as well as a third place finisher in the Golden State Million Fraturity, another grade one event. He ended his career with$358,000 earned on the racetrack and is standing at Dunn Ranch in Winniewood, Oklahoma.
SPEAKER_14Also standing is champion and grade one producer A Revenant, the brother to a two-time champion of champions winner, a political victory, the multiple grade one producing sire, Chilitos, and the graded stakes winning Juices Loose, and the Grade 1 producer, PYC Fun and Fancy, all standing at Dunn Ranch in Winniewood, Oklahoma.
SPEAKER_13The Heritage Place Quarter Horse Yearling Sale returns September 24th, 25th, and 26th. Consignment deadline is June 17th. Don't miss your chance.
SPEAKER_09All right, back to the podcast.
SPEAKER_11All right, we're back here on the podcast, getting into our next segment, talking with another owner about his experience going into quarter horse racing, and that's Marcos Galvon. Marcos is a stallioner, owns multiple stallions that stand out at Scarlet Hill and Weatherford, Texas, including one of the hot named sires that's entered into the 2026 breeding season. That's Kiss My Maruska. Now, Marco takes a different vantage point going into the ownership of running quarter horses because he was brought into it by a family member and gives advice for new incoming owners about what to expect and kind of how to kind of temper down your experience or your expectations going forth. And it's a great interview between him and Bailey. And without further ado, let's get out of the way and get to the interview with Marco Skalvon.
SPEAKER_16First off, how did you get started in horse racing?
SPEAKER_02Uh it was actually uh my ex-father-in-law. Um, he used to bring me around uh his horses that he had. He used to run an old star park. It just kind of got me got me hooked to it, I guess. I mean, I mean, I've always been drawn into horse racing just because I've like competitive environments. I mean, like whether it's business, sports, or horses. Um, but yeah, it was more of a curiosity deal at first and then kind of learning the game. But once I understood, you know, the strategy that goes into it, like the breeding and you know, selecting horses, developing horse, I got hooked, you know.
SPEAKER_16What was your first step into like owning a horse?
SPEAKER_02Uh my first step into uh owning a horse, I actually partnered in uh with my ex-father-in-law. So we partnered in and uh we bought a horse, and uh that's that was my first step.
SPEAKER_16Whenever you like first got involved, what surprised you the most? Like, was there anything about the day-to-day side of racing that you like you didn't expect really?
SPEAKER_02You know what? Honestly, there was I guess the biggest thing that separate that that I could say that surprised me is that the the industry is actually more about people and decision making, not just the horse. From the outside looking in, everybody just sees the horse, but um it's it's really a lot about people and decision making. Like you can have a royally bred horse, um, but if you don't make the right calls, the right trainer, the right, you know, you don't the timing, you know, the races you put them in, uh, you won't maximize that horse. And so honestly, you know, I mean, for me, I think the margins are tight. So um, it takes discipline, patience, and you gotta have a good team, right? And so that that's what that was what really surprised me. I thought, you know, hey, let's just go get a royally bred horse and and and race them, right? But there's more to it.
SPEAKER_16Yeah. Did you have any mentors or like people who helped guide you?
SPEAKER_02Um on to say that I had an actual mentor mentor. I mean, my my like I said, my ex-father-in-law, he was uh he was instrumental in that. Um, but I can't necessarily say that I've had one set mentor. I just feel like I've been a student of the game, and I just, you know, I I anybody and everybody that I could soak up uh knowledge from, um, I I will because I just, you know, I there's so much to learn, uh, and there's always something to learn, you know. So that's that's how I go about it.
SPEAKER_16Was there like a specific moment or horse that like hooked you, one of your first big runners?
SPEAKER_02Um, yeah, she I mean, Hopi Chick is a horse that I had. She was a New Mexico brand um that we bought at the Heritage PlayStation. And um she was actually our for for me, she was my first stakes winning horse. And uh she she was uh you know, she she left a mark, an impression on me, right? And so that's a horse that I'll always remember.
SPEAKER_16What do you enjoy most now compared to when you first started? Has your like perspective changed over time?
SPEAKER_02Yeah, for sure, for sure. So um, you know, now I'm I think that being in the business on the horse racing side um for the better part of a decade now or more than a decade now, over a decade, you know, that my biggest deal now is it's just kind of focusing on developing horses, uh paying attention more to confirmation, uh, you know, prepping them and and trying to point them at you know at the level where they should compete at. And so uh once you start seeing like the results uh on decisions that you've made, it's just like uh you know, it keeps me locked in, you know. Yeah, and so and so being on the breeding side of it is is uh you know it's a new venture for me. You know, our first uh big stud is uh for me is is K is my Maruska. And it's been really interesting to see kind of how that develops on that side of it. And uh, you know, we we've we're able to uh own on since his yearling uh at the yearling cell, CQHA. And so uh just to be able to be with him through that part of his career and now transitioning in to being a stud, it it definitely you know puts me on the other side now, right? And so we're you know delving into the breeding, you know, with the Scarlet Hill Farm deal that we got there, and and that's been a really, really big highlight for me this year. Uh especially because it's just uh exciting to see, you know, we're breeding to this, mayor. And uh, you know, they they got a contract here, and so uh being able to see that in anticipation of what this baby's gonna look like and you know, wanting to get my hands on one to run, and you know, it's just uh it's it's really, really uh it's a long game, but uh it's it's pretty rewarding, I think. Uh, a full circle moment for sure.
SPEAKER_16Okay, for someone listening who's thinking about getting involved in the quarter horse industry, what advice would you give them? Like the best first step to owning a horse?
SPEAKER_02That's a good question. So for for me, I mean there's a few things. Um if you're getting into the horse racing, my biggest advice is don't rush it. Uh take your time to learn. Uh, one thing I wish I would have learned a little bit more early on is there's more confirmation, learn bloodlines. Uh, and most importantly, what I think has uh helped me be successful is learn from the people around you. You know, this game will humble you quick if you try to skip steps. And so I feel like if you treat it as a long-term deal, uh not a quick win, uh you'll you'll be more successful.
SPEAKER_16Yeah, I like that. Is there anything that like a new owner should avoid?
SPEAKER_02Uh well, I mean, I think it kind of ties back into my last answer, right?
SPEAKER_15So taking it slow.
SPEAKER_02Yeah, take it slow, stay patient, keep learning, uh, surround yourself with with the right people, uh, and you know, and you give yourself a real shot. Uh because in the industry, it's not, I feel, right? That's my opinion that in the industry the ones that are that that last aren't the lucky ones. Uh, the ones that make the best decisions over a period of time um are the ones that that last in this industry.
SPEAKER_15Yeah, that's true. Okay, well, thank you for sharing your story with us here on Quarter Horse Racing Talk Weekly.
SPEAKER_05All right, thank you. Please be here.
SPEAKER_14For over 21 years, Roboshow Ranch has provided the racehorse industry with first-rate services you can trust, from breeding and stallion management to sales prep and complete mare care. Be sure to check out their outstanding stallion roster at RoboShowRanch Inc.com.
SPEAKER_11New for 2026 at Lazy E Ranch in Guthrie, Oklahoma is the Grade 1 winning Unrelentless. A son of He's Relentless out of the PYC Paint Your Wagon Mare, Painted Wine Wagon, with earnings of nearly$426,000 going into the big champion of champions weekend. He is a standout performer who, as a runner, claimed victory in the grade one Brad McKenzie winner championship at Los Alamitas, and was a runner-up finisher in the Grade 1 Golden State Million as a two-year-old.
SPEAKER_14Also standing at Lazy E Ranch is the super derby winner, Big Lou. A sire of nearly$73 million in earnings, Corona Cartel. The Grade 1 producing sire, Coronado Cartel. The grade one winning, Cyber Monday. The all-time leading sire, first down dash, the Ria Doso Futurity Runner-Up, Jess Fire Me. The Grade 1 winning champion, Kempton. The multiple Grade 1 and Champion Producing Sire, Kiss My Hawks. A sire with nearly$44 million in earnings, PYC Paint Your Wagon. Sire of three champions and five millionaires, Valiant Hero. All standing at Lazy E Ranch in Guthrie, Oklahoma.
SPEAKER_11Alright, we're back here, ready to jump into the recap of the stakes races happening this past weekend. And the three we're going to cover, Bailey, are out in Oklahoma City at Remington Park. And let's get started with the Grade 2 Oklahoma Futurity, a purse of$435,000 plus for three-year-olds going down the racetrack at 300 yards. And here's the call from Del Day.
SPEAKER_01Good start. Kiss me in a flash right there.
SPEAKER_11And we were able to get on the phone with trainer Jed Vane to talk about this talented Philly and her outlook for her two-year-old season coming up. Jed, first off, congratulations on the big graded win there at Remington Park.
SPEAKER_08Sure appreciate it, Greg.
SPEAKER_11Talk about this Philly's development from the time you got this Philly until the time you put her in the starting gates for the first time. When did she start really showing that she was this kind of horse?
SPEAKER_08Yeah, the very first time we breezed her, Greg, she breezed really well. Um some of those horses, it takes a time or two to figure it out. The first time we breezed her, she looked like she had it figured out. Going to the starting gates after her first breezes, she gated really good. She's always um she's always stuck out. Her and a couple others stuck out from the rest at the farm. We didn't know she was going to be this good, but she always showed that she was had some talent.
SPEAKER_11Jed, you've been around a lot of really talented two-year-olds, especially about your time back with Carl Draper. Is it too early to measure this Philly up to see she she ran just a huge race, not only in the trial, but also in the finals. Is it too early to measure this horse up to see that this is that level of horse?
SPEAKER_08Yeah, I'm always uh hesitant to compare him to those great horses that we were around. But she progressed. She has progressed early on as well as Heartswide Open did. She looks that way, but I I don't ever brag on him until they prove what those horses did. I mean, Heartswide Open was an amazing mare. Uh and this mayor looks to be going down a really good path. I think she's got a really bright future ahead of her, but um, at the end of the day, she's gotta prove it.
SPEAKER_11Well, she is a heritage place graduate, so I'm assuming that that maybe the next stop is that we're gonna see this horse going in the trials for the heritage place. Is that kind of the plan?
SPEAKER_08Absolutely. That's the plan is to go to the heritage place, um, providing she stays healthy, she's come out of the race really well, she's back at the ranch resting. Yeah, if all systems are go, Heritage Place is next stop for.
SPEAKER_11And I'm assuming she's triple crown eligible?
SPEAKER_08She she is triple crown eligible. Um we go through the heritage like our plan is. Hopefully, everything stays on point like it is, um, and then we'll start talking about going to Albuquerque.
SPEAKER_11Well, Jed, thanks so much again getting on the podcast here, and we appreciate it, and good luck with this Philly moving forward. Appreciate it all, Greg. Thank you so much. All right, back at Remington Park, the Oklahoma Derby also transpired that night. The grade three event for 350 yards for three-year-olds, a purse of$259,000 plus, and here's the call from Del Day.
SPEAKER_01They're off in the Oklahoma Derby. Good start from middle for calling chicks also way sharply. Desperate eagle now coming on. AJ Remember Me. Emerald Bay is right there, chugging at the rail. That's Toby too. Outside, a desperate eagle trying to fend off late rallies to the inside. There's AJ Remember Me coming on. AJ Remember Me and the Desperate Eagle. AJ Remember Me in the Oklahoma Derby by three quarters.
SPEAKER_16AJ Remember Me is a three-year-old cult by Apolitical Jess out of the Trace Ace Mare Remember Robin. Bread by Rantua Cobresto, owned by Karina Sosa, trained by Josue Garcia, and ridden by Juan Polito. AJ Remember Me was a Heritage Place yearling sale graduate of$120,000.
SPEAKER_11Bailey, another exciting race for the three-year-olds there at Oklahoma City. It was just pretty thrilling to watch that horse go down the racetrack.
SPEAKER_16Yes, Greg, I was able to talk to Juan Polito, and he was very enthused about this horse going forward this year.
SPEAKER_11And now we're shifting gears to go and look at the Paint and Apps as they had their Faturity, the Oklahoma Paint and App Faturity, the grade one event there in Oklahoma City for two-year-olds going 300 yards a purse of over$188,000. And here's another call from Del Day.
SPEAKER_01They're off with the Oklahoma Paint Appaloosa Futurity. Great start for IM George 3. Springs to the front. Here comes DW showing the off now to challenge. Outside coming on, Patty Powers and Big Rodney full of steam. Big Rodney on the outside in the clear is up on the front. Here comes Big Rodney to win. The Oklahoma Paint Appaloosa Futurity by almost a full length.
SPEAKER_16Big Rodney is a two-year-old gelding by Painted Turnpike out of the CRM Livewire Mare CRM Country Girl, owned by Apple R Racing, bred and trained by Matt Whitekiller, and ridden by Cody Smith.
SPEAKER_11And with that win, Cody Smith became the all-time leader as it pertains to stakes wins on the Paints and Apps, overtaking G.R. Carter, who held the record prior to him. And our hats off to Cody for becoming the all-time leader in that category.
SPEAKER_16Yes, what a tremendous accomplishment for Cody Smith, surpassing GR Carter's record.
SPEAKER_11And I was able to get Cody Smith on the phone to talk about this talented gelding and about him surpassing one of his idols in the writing category of G.R. Carter. Cody, thanks so very much for joining us here on Quarter Horse Racing Podcast Weekly. Yes, sir. My pleasure, Greg. First off, let's talk about Big Rotney going down the lane there in the grade one, take me from gate to wire with this big horse.
SPEAKER_07The trial was the first time I had to use my stick on him and get after him a little, and I didn't feel like it benefited me a whole lot. Like he didn't respond in the way I really wanted one to. So the other night in the finals when he broke and got on top of the ground really running, I just uh stayed out of his way and kind of just let him do his job and made my job easy.
SPEAKER_11Well, congratulations on the grade one win, but Cody, it also signified you eclipsing the record of held by G.R. Carter in the paint and app world. Talk to me about actually surpassing somebody that you looked which you grew up idolizing in the jox room, that he was competing back when your father was writing, and now you got to compete with him for multiple years, and now you're surpassing the record of somebody that you looked up to.
SPEAKER_07As far as the the dedication and what all the GR sacrificed to be who he was, if you surpassed G.R. Carter in anything, you have done something, I feel like. So to say that my name's etched in the history books, I guess, of the APHA racing above G.R. Carter, like it's not taken lightly. Like, it's pretty humbling to be honest.
SPEAKER_11Well, thanks for joining us here on Quota Horse Racing Talk, and congratulations on the big grade one win, Cody. Thank you, Greg. Thanks for having me.
SPEAKER_16And we'll be right back after these words from our sponsor.
SPEAKER_11New for the 2026 breeding season at Royal Vista Ranch in Wayne, Oklahoma is the multiple grade one derby winning Just Dulce. He's the winner of the Grade 1 Texas Classic Derby, and also claimed victory in the Grade 2 Dash Recash Derby at Lone Star Park. As for Pedigree, he is the full brother to leading sire Dulce Sentancia. And without a doubt, he's destined for greatness in the sire ranks at Royal Vista.
SPEAKER_14Also standing for 2026 is the Los Al 2 Million finalist, a political J Streak, the second all-time leading money earner, a political Jess, the Grade 1 producing, FDD Going Grand, a perennial leading sire, Flying Cowboy 123, and an all-American finalist, gonna be famous, multiple stakes producing sire, part of the cartel. All this talent standing at Royal Vista Ranch in Wayne, Oklahoma. The racing preview segment is brought to you by the two-time AQHA champion standing at the Louisiana Center for Equine Reproduction, Eagles Fly Higher. Check out his stallion page on stallionesearch.com.
SPEAKER_09All right, back to the podcast.
SPEAKER_11Bailey, the Grade One event this weekend is the Los Alamitas Oaks out there in California. Had the trials a couple weeks back, and uh just one of the standout three year old files going forth in this event, and that's Keith Nellison owned Beautiful.
SPEAKER_16Yes, Greg. Beautiful had a major two-year-old campaign last year. She was the winner of the Robert Adair Kindergarten for Charity. And she also was a finalist in the Golden State Million as well as the Los Alamitos 2 million. And it seems like she's just coming back even stronger in her three-year-old campaign.
SPEAKER_11You know, when this horse fires Bailey, this horse is ultra-impressive visually and time-wise, everything. Once this horse puts it all together and gets down the racetrack, it's she's a sight to behold. She's she's beautiful. And uh, we were able to talk with her owner, Keith Nellison, about this talented three-year-old going forth and his desire to get off the rail when the race is drawn. All right, on the phone with Keith Nellison, owner of Beautiful. Keith, you gotta be happy how this horse is progressing in her three-year-old campaign. She ran like almost one of the more exciting races that I've seen out of her thus far in her career.
SPEAKER_18Yeah, you know, she started off so almost brilliantly, you know, early there in her two-year-old year. And I really wanted to run her in the Ed Berg, but the way they have it out there, you couldn't. And you know, with she had some problems in her trial of the kindergarten, and so we decided to go and do it, and she, you know, was amazing in the in the final there. And then, you know, these two-year-olds, it's it's hard to keep them put put together for a whole year. And out there in Los Alamitos, there's kind of a big gap. And so, you know, we were excited. We really thought she was ready for the Golden State, and then she broke through the gate, crushed her nose, and you know, we were a little nervous to come back in the two million, but she came back. We can hopefully we can draw off the rail. And then coming into her three-year-old year, you know, we were really optimistic. And again, we drew the one hole again, and she just, you know, she's a real pro and uh looked really good, and we're pretty excited to see what we got this weekend. I'm hoping to get off the rail, but uh she's won from there quite a bit.
SPEAKER_11So Keith, she's paid up in what moving forward.
SPEAKER_18She's in the uh we're in the Rainbow Oaks or the you know, Rainbow Derby, the All-American and the Super Derby, and maybe one of the other California derbies, but she is paid in the Rainbow and the All-American Oaks, and that is the plan is to go there.
SPEAKER_11Well, Keith, good luck this week. End with her there at the Los Al Oaks Grade 1 event, and uh hope to see this Philly keep progressing as we get further down in 2026. Well, thank you.
SPEAKER_18We're we're excited and uh wish for the best.
SPEAKER_16Greg, I think that this horse is the one to beat in this race. If she runs anything close to her trial, she's gonna be pretty tough.
SPEAKER_11Totally agree with you. If if this horse fires like she we've seen her do multiple times, they're going to have their hands full there in the low saddle Midas Oaks. But there's another horse to take a look at. The second fastest qualifier coming out of those trials is Roos Tickle Knockout.
SPEAKER_16Yes, Roos Tickle Knockout, she's also a graded stakes finalist. She ran in three graded events last year.
SPEAKER_11It's one of those horses that's just just getting into the finals and just missing. The last timeout is a two-year-old, lost to Southwest Juvenile at Zia Park only by a neck, was trained by Luis Vilafranco over in uh Oklahoma as well as in New Mexico, but going out west to California, Eddie Willis has taken over the reins.
SPEAKER_16Well, Greg, the draw happens today for the Los Alamitos Soaks. So I'm excited to see what the field is going to look like going into the finals.
SPEAKER_11Yeah, it should be a great race. Looking forward to staying up late on Saturday tonight to watch the Los Alamitos Soaks. All right, another big stakes race out in California this weekend is the El Primero Del Año Derby, a grade two event for$225,000, three-year-olds going postward for 400 yards, and another standout horse in the field, Dudar Cartel coming out of the Paul Jones barn.
SPEAKER_16Yes, Dudar Cartel definitely seems to be the standout in this race. He recently won the grade one Los Alamitos winner derby in February, and he just had a major two-year-old campaign last year.
SPEAKER_11Yes, and also if you look at the chart for the winner derby, none of these horses were in the field for that winner derby. So he's facing a whole new fresh set of horses going forth in this grade two event. And we were able to get on the phone with Hall of Fame trainer Paul Jones to talk about this talented three-year-old going into the finals. Paul, thanks so much for joining us here on Quarter Horse Racing Talk. Paul is going to talk about the El Primero Del Año Derby. You got the fastest qualifier in there. We discussed after the horse qualified and got into the field, but talk to me about the horse as it's trained coming out of that trial going into the finals.
SPEAKER_05Well, this horse has really been spectacular as he's turned three. The trial race was probably one of the better races he's ran. He did everything perfect. He broke well, he ran straight, ran strong, he finished strong. He uh he pulled up really well after the race. He's training really good coming into the finals. If he can just get a another good break and a clean trip, I think you know he's got a very good chance to pull it off.
SPEAKER_11Paul, after the El Primero down Delano Derby, what is this horse paid into?
SPEAKER_05Well, um, he's also in the Governor's Cup Derby, and he's got a little time um in between that one. The the winner derby and the El Primero kind of came back to back. So, you know, we had to make the decision whether we wanted to run him right back. But he pulled up good and he was training good, and you know, there wasn't a ton of trials, a ton of horses in the trials. We thought it was a maybe an easier field than the winner derby, so we elected to run him and everything went well. But um, after this he'll have a little more time and he'll run into governor's derby, and after that he'll have quite a bit more time uh before he runs in the super derby. And then according to how he does in the super derby, we'll have to map out where he goes from there.
SPEAKER_11Yeah. And certainly uh hope that he heads in the right direction. Paul, thanks so very much, and and good luck this weekend there at in at Los Alamitas.
SPEAKER_05Yeah, thanks a lot, Greg. I appreciate it.
SPEAKER_16Another horse to look at in this race is the second fastest qualifier, more of it. He was lightly raced last year with five outs, and he broke his maiden in February, but it looks like he's slowly maturing, and I mean he has the second fastest time, so yes, he's coming into his own exactly at the right time, but facing a horse that's a grade one winner from last time out and do that cartel.
SPEAKER_11I don't know if this is in the same category as of yet, but it this is horse racing, Bailey. Anything can happen when they're going down the racetrack. More of it's owned by Ed Allred, trained by Scott Willoughby. It's it's definitely a formidable horse going forth. He's two for two this year, so you can't really knock a horse that hasn't lost in 2026. All right, over in Louisiana, we got two graded stakes to look at the grade two Louisiana Downs Futurity as well as the restricted grade two Mardi Gras Futurity. And you know, the purse is definitely healthy for those races out there in Bozier City, closing out the meet. And uh one jockey's doing really great out there this meet.
SPEAKER_16Yes, Greg, Jockey Jorge Garcia had the fastest time for both faturities, and he's been having a great meet so far.
SPEAKER_11And we were able to get on the phone with George and talk with him about these two horses going into the finals. George kind of take me down the wire here with this horse in the trial race there in the Louisiana Faturity as the fastest qualifier.
SPEAKER_17Well, Greg, she did everything right. Like she she's a real good Philly, honestly. She just does everything perfect. There's nothing we can do we can say about her.
SPEAKER_11She's been training well going into the finals.
SPEAKER_17Yes, sir. Uh I took her to stand today and she stood perfect. We walked her out the front and she she was real concentrated. I I really liked her.
SPEAKER_11Shifting gears, talk about the Mardi Gras attorney now. The uh horses that qualified for Ponce.
SPEAKER_17Oh yeah, uh that's another great feeling. She does well, she does everything the same. She's that day she shit. I've never seen a two-year-old run that fast.
SPEAKER_11Hopefully repeats in the finals, just runs about the same race.
SPEAKER_17Yeah, she's she's doing everything fine. Like she's she's healthy and everything, so I think she should maybe run better.
SPEAKER_11Thanks so much for getting on here with us, George. I appreciate it. Thanks for calling. Yes, sir. Thank you. Alright, it's time to look at the graded stakes out in Sunland Park. This weekend is the grade three West Texas maturity, and we have a repeat offender in this field, Bailey with an R.C. Corona King.
SPEAKER_16R.C. Corona King seems to always be a very strong contender there in New Mexico.
SPEAKER_11And this is his third attempt in the West Texas maturity. He won it back in 2024, qualified into the field in 2025, ran fourth, and now gets into the field again as the uh odds-on favorite. Coming out of the champion of champions, coming out of the championship at Sunland State's a grade one event where he ran second. This horse looks heads above a lot of the horses in this field, Bailey.
SPEAKER_16Yes, whenever he ran second at Sunland Park, he beat the 2025 world champion FDD Dreams.
SPEAKER_11Yes. Looking to redeem himself here in the grade three event. Another horse to look at in the field is a horse that comes right out of the same trial race as RC Corona King.
SPEAKER_16Yes, Greg, you're talking about Big Picture. Big Picture ran second in the red or green stakes this year, but last fall he had a pretty good meet. He won the Zia Park Championship in December and he had three back-to-back wins.
SPEAKER_11This horse is solid, loves New Mexico, clearly runs well there. On paper, I'm not so sure it's on the same level as RC Corona King, which is definitely the standout favorite in this race. But uh if something happens at the break or the horse just doesn't fire its race, this horse is definitely one that's a definite contender.
SPEAKER_16I agree, Greg. And another one that we had our eye on was MacDara.
SPEAKER_11Now, MacDara's situation is pretty unique as he was DQ'd in his trial race and moved fifth place, but that fifth place placing qualifies him to get into the field.
SPEAKER_16Greg, another great weekend of racing, and you know where I'll be.
SPEAKER_11Yes, you'll be in front of the television watching these big grades races. I'll know exactly where you'll be on Saturday night as well, because you'll be watching there at Los Alamitas, the grade one event. Absolutely. All right, Bailey, that's all the time we have here for another edition of Quarter Horse Racing Talk Weekly, the podcast. Bailey, I think this new owner kind of educational series that we got, it's it's going in definitely in the right direction. A lot of people are giving us feedback and and uh sending messages saying keep up the good work. So I I love the fact that we're doing our part to try to, you know, try to enhance and maybe answer some questions that might be out there for people that are wanting to get into the industry.
SPEAKER_16Yes, Greg, this educational series continues to get a great response. And we're really excited to just keep it going as we bring you more insight from across the industry.
SPEAKER_11Yeah, one of the conversations Bailey and I have is what direction do we go into next? So it's it's not only interesting for those that are listening, but it's also interesting for her and I of where are we steering this in the direction it's going. And on behalf of StallionEsearch.com, we absolutely appreciate you tuning in to listen. And we'll definitely see you next week. We have a lot of big races to talk about in the recap section next week, Bailey.
SPEAKER_16Yes, the finals at Louisiana Downs are this Saturday, and it should be a great night of racing. And there's definitely plenty to keep an eye on as these horses are coming back after their trial performances.
SPEAKER_11As well as those two big graded races out in California. And I'm Greg Thompson, and I'm Bailey Ivey. And we'll see you next time here on Quota Horse Racing Talk.