I know I'm new, but small rant about owners

breathtaking

While I'm new to all of you, I am not new to racing. I'm actually an American living here in Ireland now. Before coming here I was the main work rider for Wayne Lukas and Nick Zito. My husband and I now have a small business managing horses for clients, breeding, breaking, and taking care of horses on their vacation time.

When we started this business we wanted to be different in that we didn't want to rip people off. Most of our owners came with horror stories about how their horses were cared for, how they paid bills on horses that weren't where they were supposed to be and how in 10 years of ownership they hadn't won races.

And quite frankly, in visiting some farms here of people who do what we do, I'm shocked at some of the conditions. Stalls barely mucked, cheapest feed you can buy ( these aren't ponies so why the horse and pony mix!), and how about brushing the crap off them every once in a while. Oh and hay seems to be non existent.

So we do things different. Quality hay at all times, a tailored feed program for each horse, plenty of turnout, properly kept stables, regular rub overs ect. We have been complimented many times on how well our horses look, how horses coming from Ireland never look like this, how well broke they are, how happy they seem, ect. Not only that, in a game where most owners cry they never have a winner. All but one horse we've sold to clients have won as 2yo's and continued on winning as they got older. Really, I could buy you a horse for 100,000 euros if you choose, but honestly if you want to win a race, have a good day out, have a good gamble, you don't need to spend that kind of money - ever. But yet so many do or even in a lower price bracket and they get zilch.

And you know that 100,000 horse you just bought from your agent, a guy who would never steer you wrong, lord knows how much money he just made by "buying" a horse from his buddy. Yup, you get screwed but keep going back to the same guy time and time again.

Our motto was if owners don't win, chances are we won't get you back again. Very straightforward and meant from a standpoint of passion. Passion about horses and quality care towards them. But guess what? Are any of our guys happy? Um no. All they do is moan and complain. The same people that came to us complaining about how badly their horses were treated and how they never won a race complain. As a matter of fact they call you in the middle of the night 12 times to complain. They called 12 times because they couldn't get a hold of us. As people that work hard 7 days a week, most of the time we are asleep by 10 and not in the pub listening to idiots. I really wish I had some home phone numbers so I could make some phone calls at 4:30am when I'm heading out to the barn.

Biggest complaint, we are now too expensive. Have been the same rate for 3years now, but we are too expensive. Apparently pub chat leads to the I have a horse on vacation and my rates are lower. Well of course they are lower. Your horse stands in **it every day, gets crap food, minimal hay, and never sees a brush. Or he stands in the middle of a field of mud with a bunch of other horses trying to get a bite to eat if he can. Maybe with a rug, but maybe not. Look, I can't help it the euro and sterling are equal. My costs have NOT in any way shape or form gone down. I have to do what's best for the horses.

Look at it this way, if I was taking your money and using it on myself I wouldn't be driving around in a dispatch van. I wouldn't look like a muppet in cold weather mud gear every time you showed up if I wasn't taking care of your horses. Hell no, I'd be off in my brand new land cruiser going shopping and taking vacations if I was interested taking your money and spending it on myself instead of your horses. But I'm not. I'm in the barn at dark and come in in the dark. I spend all day making sure the horses are safe and well so you the owner have a chance to brag at the pub if you like.

You work your butt off, try and do things right and still nobody cares. Really at this stage I'm so jaded I'd love to be one of those sly bloodstock agents that rips people off. My life would be much easier because I could pay my bills in full on time. For some strange reason they seem to think we are rolling in it.

Just wanted to get that off my chest because I'm annoyed and really fet up. Don't worry flame suit is on and fully zipped.

Terri

Bluetonic

Welcome to the recession, the 10 year craze for everyone and his mother to own or have a share in a horse is coming to an end. Small time owners don't want to be shelling out euro anymore.

It can only be good news for the racing industry as lets be honest there are some complete and utter useless horses out there. The lower grades of Irish racing is dire.

Maybe you should go for more quality and less quantity, charge a premium and live your desired lifestyle, if you think thats a viable business plan of course.

Cantoris

Owners are a fickle bunch but the good ones are worth keeping. I own horses and it is important to me that they are looked after so we look after the stable lads at crimbo and when they win races. They stay in the yard while on vacation but are broken and pre-trained in other yards. I can't complain with how they are treated and they always look well. obviously there are people out there that don't look after horses very well and likewise there are owners out there that don't look after the people who take care of their horses. I must say, ringing someone who works in a yard after 10pm is just rude. But unfortunately there are nasty people everywhere. If you have kept your prices flat over the last four years, not sure how anyone could complain. How much do you charge?

breathtaking

Thanks all, and first off, I'm not trying to get rich. All I want is to pay my bills on time and do a good job. I've never believed in ripping people off and won't go down that road.

As far as quality, I'm not dealing in cheap horses that can't win races. As someone who's been around some of the best of the best horses, I can tell you it's more than a price tag. For every good horse I galloped, the same owners had about 20 they spent millions on that couldn't do what my so called "cheaper" horses have done. Our first homebred is rated 86 in England and just left to continue her 3yo career. I don't feel she does an injustice to racing. Her owners have had some wonderful days out and good gambles.

And I have to admit I don't follow the theory have having only group horses running. Why because they don't pay the bread and butter of racing. There's more to the industry than just a group horse running on the weekends. At the same time, if you have a horse that can't be competitive in the slightest, no point in wasting your money. But good competitive horses aren't going to be rated in the 40's are they.

Cantoris, it's nice to know people like you are still around in the racing game. My husband visits the horses a couple of times in the summer and always tips the lads even though we aren't the owners. It's just from years of being stable lads ourselves. And when the horses win, my husband lets the owners know you have to treat people the right way.

Thanks for letting me rant at any rate, sometimes you just need to vent!

Terri