It’s Churchill Downs, not the wheelchair races!
Nov 22 2009
I know everybody’s dying to talk about this one, so here you go.
In case you haven’t already heard, the Asshat Queen of 2009, Kathleen Costello, got a Thoroughbred mare named Grand Forks from a farm she had worked at and gotten canned from. The mare’s previous owner, a gentleman named Rick Trontz, wanted to find a good home for her after her breeding career was over. In fact, he wanted to make sure no one would try to breed her since he did not want anything bad to happen to her. He was the epitome of a responsible horse breeder. So he gave the horse to Kathleen, who promised a future of dressage competitions for this still-sound stakes winning mare. Kathleen had been working for him, so hey, he figured he knew her well and could trust her. Pretty good reasoning. Except for failing to obtain a contract, Mr. Trontz really didn’t put a foot wrong as far as being a responsible owner rehoming a horse.
But then Ms. Costello, who is probably as qualified to retrain a horse for dressage as I am to translate Farsi at a U.N. conference, did something positively insane. She put the horse back into race training. One poster on the Thorougbred Champions forum said it best, so I will simply requote Intelligent Male: “This is some silly person who wants to play horse trainer (they’ve never had a starter) and since no one would dare give them a horse to train they took a free giveaway failed broodmare (slipped ’02, no report ’03 and ’04, dead foal ’05, ’06, and ’07, no report ’08 and ’09) and are going to run her so they can say they’re a trainer.”
Bing! Bing! Bing! We have a winner. Sir, that is exactly on target. This is 100% about idiotic ego and not a bit about common sense, winning a race and heaven knows it’s not about the welfare of the horse. As a friend of mine observed “she could go get a free young, fit racehorse at any track around! They’re FREE!” Indeed, they are. We do not need to go out and run Grandma. No, twelve’s not old, but on the track, it’s ancient and far past the point at which a horse needs to be well into their second or third career somewhere else.
Ms. Costello is not the only moron in the world, to be sure. Just two years ago, Ellis Park track President Ron Geary purchased a 17 year old gelding in disgust to keep him from being entered in any more races. Story here. What’s that saying, common sense isn’t so common?
So, anyway, as soon as the story gets some attention, Ms. Costello gets her 15 minutes of fame and uses it to provide this blog with material. “I’m definitely hoping to have more horses, but I’m a little strapped for cash right now,†Costello said. “I intend to bet on her, and she’ll be a big price, so maybe I can grow my stable that way.†Damn. I have found the perfect author for Ill Advised Horse Ventures for Dummies. Alert the publishers. Yes, Kathleen, you should totally put a 12 year old mare in a race when you’re strapped for cash. I’m sure the vets won’t charge you a thing when she breaks down on the track. They will just go, oh, heck, poor Kathleen is trying to grow her stable! Let’s give her a freebie this time!
Anyway, the public outcry was significant and the end result was that Churchill Downs decided at the eleventh hour that the mare was not allowed to run. I’m sure they realized that if she broke down or had a heart attack, it would be more bad publicity for an already-damaged racing industry, and it’s not like PETA was screaming, it was all the other reputable trainers and jockeys that were screaming, citing facts such as the breakdown in bone density of a horse that has not been kept fit for the past nine years. But hey, that isn’t going to deter Costello – she’s bound and determined to race this mare and has announced she’ll stay in training. Gee, I thought you were strapped for cash? Let’s all pray to the Gods of Financial Ruin that Costello runs out of money before this mare ever has to break from a gate again!
Costello showed her maturity and sanity by crying and throwing a hissy fit in the paddock, by the way. No, really? And she wasn’t alone. “John Odom, who was assisting Costello in the care of the horse Wednesday, said: “The bill of sale only says the mare cannot be bred. It doesn’t say anything about not racing her. Nothing was ever said about that.” When he learned the mare would not be permitted to run, Odom screamed at Veitch: “Why is she scratched?!”" Oh for fuck’s sake. Of course Trotz didn’t want her to be raced. She was a 12 year old ex-broodmare that he gave away for free to an alleged good home. Shut up, you two, you sound like even bigger idiots when you open your mouths. I will say that I did learn from other people in TB rescue that you ALWAYS put a “cannot be raced” clause in your adoption contracts, because people are wackjobs and sometimes you can’t tell.
Anyway, in case this story wasn’t wacky enough, someone started posting on the TC forum claiming to be Kathleen’s friend who was with her in the paddock. Showing all the maturity and good judgment of a troubled 12 year old who needs to go to boot camp ASAP, this person posted:
“Trontz, owner of Hopewell farm is the one who put the huge fuss about all this. The horse was sold to Kathleen with the stipulation that it would NOT be bred. I have the bill of sale right here. Trontz called us yesterday and threatened us with PETA and said we were abusing the horse. I called him and we spoke for about 5 minutes and he assured me forky would not run today. Richard Trontz spent the whole day at the race office trying to get forky scratched. They threatened us at one point until the state vet came out a 2nd time and agreed she was fit and sound to race. He told us “good luck guys”.
Everything was fine until Kathleen and myself made it to the paddock with that bald loser named John V came up and scratched her stating it was his choice and that we needed to have a state vet come out and what forky work. We are currently trying to set that up. Kathleen is really angry tonight about what has happened and is determined to get her on the track.”
Well, if that’s true, it just makes ME want to give Rick Trontz a medal for responsible ownership! How about you? I HOPE he tails this piece of shit woman and keeps her from racing that mare. Good work, Mr. Trontz! By the way, I am sure your comments will make the bald loser EVER so eager to clear your mare for racing. Way to win friends and influence people!
But never fear, the anonymous comments continue to be paired with more print media attention whoring from Ms. Costello, who seems intent on establishing herself as the Jon Gosselin of horse racing. “She had so much spunk and, every time I rode her, she got higher and higher,” said the 27-year-old Costello, who has not previously started a horse in a race. “She has been really happy, and she loves to run. Honestly, I did it for her.”
OOOOOKAY CRAZY STAGE MOM! Here’s a hint: Maybe you should actually accomplish something YOURSELF in life other than being a fired farm employee so that you do not have to live vicariously through an animal. Oh wait, I forgot, you have a degree in equine management. ROTFL. Yet another moron with an equine management degree and no actual equine management ability or good judgment.
I was dying to find a pic of this ding-dong. Anybody who was actually at CD, is this her myspace? It’s her name and age in Lexington…love to have a pic of the mare, too, did anyone snap one?)
Costello clearly doesn’t have a clue how racing even works! She made a comment that the mare was her pet and would stay with her forever. Again, as TC poster FlowerEssence observed, did she not realize it was a CLAIMING RACE? I’m sorry, this woman is WAY too ignorant to be involved in the racing industry, but I also agree with those who don’t want to see a $5,000 ransom paid for a barren 12 year old mare just to keep her from dying in an ugly accident. It isn’t the solution to put $5,000 in this twit’s pocket. We can only hope that the stewards will continue to have as much sense as the one at CD did.
On a happy note, if you’re holiday shopping for your horsey friends and want to help ex-racehorses, click below for a very fun gift idea!
On a happy note, if you’re holiday shopping for your horsey friends and want to help ex-racehorses, click below for a very fun gift idea!
100 comments to “It’s Churchill Downs, not the wheelchair races!”
Leave a Reply
You must be logged in to post a comment. Not a member? Registering is free, and you do it here!
Your link “Let’s Go Shoe Shopping” isn’t working
Great post – hope this woman gets black-listed (unofficially, if not officially). Thanks for exposing her and the other asshats!
You don’t like horses being started before three years old, I understand that. But I don’t really understand your not wanting a horse that has reached maturity, and was vet checked twice to be able to race. What if Mrs. Costello really did get the horse into race training, and she is phyiscally fit to race? Of ALL the racehorses that are raced today, started as long yearlings and two year olds, and raced hard as 3 year olds…I know she could have gone about it differently, and not made emenies along the way. I guess expected a little different reaction from you Fugs.
12 is too old to race – it’s like asking a 50 year old person who’s been a couch potato for years to go back into training and run track and field against 19 year olds.
Sure, there’s the rare person who can do it (Dara Torres, but she’s a swimmer and she’s only 41), but in general it’s a very, very bad idea and can result in the horse being injured badly and possibly euthed. Most racehorses are retired when they’re 10 or under.
Harness horses have a mandatory retirement age of 10.
Sorry, meant harness racing horses have a mandatory retirement age of 10.
Harness Horses actually have a required retirement at 14 years old, with exception of the amature races and under saddle races at fairs where an owner can continue to race them with no cut off as long as their sound (would have to double check on amature races as racing beyond 14 has never been anything I was interested in).
I am a half owner of a harness horse who is 14 and he’s returning to to the races to do a few year end retirement races (his last hoo-rah) after 2 years off the track, during which he was competing under saddle. The difference here being that this horse has never been out of work for more then a few months since he was started. He’s also got people that will scratch him if there is any doubt about him coming off that track sound. My father is the other owner. He’s also been Prime’s trainer for over 9 years and will be the one driving him, so there is no thrid party in there that can decide to push him. We both want him retiring sound. He’s a good horse and he’s got a whole other career ahead of him.
…..and it’s an exceptional horse that can race until they’re 10. Maybe 1 in 500. Most are retired far, far younger than that.
Actually it was at least in California.. 12…
nearly a decade ago… or 13
And I knew a fairly old horse still racing…he didn’t win but did come in 2nd and 3rd all the time..
When not racing.. he was a pasture pet and buddy to a pony.
Carol
You’re correct it was 12 in CA. There was also a rule (I don’t remember what state) if a horse has not started after the age of 8 years, it can’t run again–if it has started past the age of 8, it could run til it was 12. The age limit varies from state to state, it’s up the state’s racing commission. In most states, maidens can only run til the age of 5 (unless they’ve placed/shown in a previous race-something like that). John Henry was retired at 10, went back into training and, was retired -again- for life, at 11. But, that’s completely different.
The Christmas gift link doesn’t work. :/
…
What?
A twelve year old mare…racing?! Sorry, training to race. Racing a horse at the age of eight is bad enough…but twelve?! I’m glad to hear that the mare was scratched and I don’t see how her ‘staff’ were shocked, even upset, by it. Most of the people who know the bare minimum of horse racing know that a twelve year old mare cannot race. If you want to get into the racing career, get the proper training from people who know what they’re doing! I really don’t want to see this mare racing and I really don’t want to see a headline about her tragic accident…
You know, I’m nineteen and I get really annoyed when teens and pre-teens have a fit, but a woman acting like she’s twelve? Really? Can’t we get a license to race, breed, train, own, maybe even ride horses? There would be a lot less heartache for the fifteen year old rider whose horse suddenly has an HYPP attack and less of these horror stories about how horses end up so lame they can’t even walk. Too bad it will never happen…
Hey fugly, just wanted to let you know your HTML is broken for your link to Angel Acres. it directs to: http://www.fuglyblog.com/2009/its-churchill-downs-not-the-wheelchair-races/www.shoeshoppingwithangelacres.com which is obviously a 404.
Just thought I’d let you know in case you wanted to fix that!
Oh my fucking god!! What an assat! My horse, Denali (Storm City Slew), was too bred by Mr. Trontz at Hopewell Farms. I bought her at the Enumclaw auction and contacted him about getting her papers (she being my first horse, I wasn’t sure how to go about it) and was contacted back directly by his wife (don’t quote me on that, I don’t have the e-mail anymore) who was appalled that one of their horses would end up where Denali ended up. She was very kind and explained exactly how to go about getting her papers from the track and that if I couldn’t get them OR they wouldn’t give them to me to let them know and they would get them for me. It made me feel really good about where Denali came from. I even sent them my crazy e-mail about taking Denali’s dam and retiring her when she is done being a broodmare.
Taking a 12 year old Broodmare and trying to turn her into a race horse is trying to take me a 28 year old who ran when I was 16 and entering me into ANY race. I’m not in shape and when I try to run my knees feel like they’re going to snap. Not a good comparison, but I’m sure everyone understands! That is CRAP! I hope she gets banned from racing. You can get a young filly/colt for next to nothing and train that!
http://www.wildponybeast.blogspot.com
Can’t this guy get the horse back? Surely this isn’t a reasonable use? I would think that some small-claims place somewhere would agree that this is completely ridiculous!
This poor baby. Maybe they should have let her run and then claimed her at the end?
*shakes head*
Wow… I know there have been some great racehorses that were sound and steady into the upper ages, but not that upper age. Why in the world would she spend the money, time, money, money! into getting this mare in a race that’s she will surely lose? Unfortunately, there is probably some other asshat out there that wants to make a movie of this idolizing this idiot woman, which will only encourage her to find more freebie horses.
I’d love to yell in the ear of any vet that cleared this mare for racing.
Well, yet another reason I am SO in favor of rescue organizations located on the tracks, with a barn along the backstretch available for the “denutting” and “decompressing” of now-OTTBs awaiting evaluation for second careers. Idiots who have NO CLUE about racing (“It’s got four legs, a tattoo, and is breathing. Let’s race it”) should have a place to put that horse (or have it taken away from them on the spot). Too bad people like this cannot be banned for life.
I sent an e-mail to Ron Leary of Ellis Park after he retired Alpena Magic, who became a pony horse. He wrote back and said something to the effect that it was the right thing to do, that everyone benefitted. And there is nothing wrong with getting some use of the horse, especially one that has raced all its life and the track is all it knows.
The link on the horseshoe gift at the end of your column did not work for me, but if this is the Vickie Baze racing plate ornament link, it’s featured in the current issues of EQUUS, bonchancehorseshoes.com.
BTW- It’s hard to see because of the hat on, but it the girl (only one) in the front row center looks similar to the myspace page photo. What do you think? http://www.hopewellfarm.com/farm-staff2.shtml
No, thats not Kathleen. I know her and jon both. The girl in the picture is actually a little better looking
Opps! Under the broodmare division photo.
If you would like to read the local news on this, go to http://www.courier-journal.com and search for “Grand Forks”. There have been two local articles written about this. There’s a second article in today’s paper where Churchill Downs are requiring blood test done on the mare. I live about 7 mile from the Downs.
Another one exposed! Keep turning the lights on, Fugs…the cockroaches are still out there needing to be caught!
Disclaimer: This next paragraph is my personal opinion:
And while we anxiously await the miraculous feat of a 12 year old mare thundering down the racetrack and blowing away all the younger horses by at least two lengths, we should also know that Ms Costello, because of her vast wasteland of knowledge and magical powers, will also be coming up with the cures for swine flu, herpes, and all the financial ills of this country. Do it now, honey, while you still know everything.
Now if you’ll all excuse me, I have to pull my 57 year old arse off the computer chair and start my training for the Boston Marathon.
I don’t have a problem with a 12 year old running – as long as it has been running consistently, constantly and competitively. I have a huge problem with the NINE year layoff. Most states have an “elder horse” rule along the lines of: A horse older than “X” is not permitted to race unless it won a race in the previous year. The “X” in most states is 12.
God, I’ve got an OTTB 12yo mare who has had 2 foals (god knows why, she’s not the best conformed mare out there, I didn’t breed her, I merely rescued her) and I would never EVER think of putting her back into training. I mean, WHY?!
It’s quite uncommon for horses to race past 10, but a few do, and usually without incident. The ones that do, however, have been in training most of their lives, may not have started racing until 3 or 4, and were not bred a whole bunch oftimes.
That’s the issue here, not her age. The fact that she was off track and being bred for that many years, then brought back to the track.
And a 5k claimer? I mean for people who keep horses in races for years, they tend to win, or at least be competitive for that time. I don’t understand how the hell she expects to make money in a 5k claimer. Even if the horses needs a vet check after, or scoping, the purse money for winning that type of race doesn’t seem worth it at all. It seems so pointless to bring her back to the races for such a bottom level race like that. Definitely seems like she just wants to brag about being a horse “trainer”.
One of the first Standies I was given to break in was a nice little gelding who was VERY well bred but had never raced but had been used as a jog horse to exercise the young horses. I broke him to saddle and sold him to a great home with great reports back from his new owner.
About 18months later I ran into the original owners/breeders and they told me they had had a phone call from a man wanting to know if he could have this horse’s papers with some vauge story of wanting to show him bu twiht lots of questions about whether he had trialled or not.They said no and he hung up quickly when pressed for details about the horse.
I was able to contact the woman I had sold him to – she stilled owned the horse and had no idea what the phone call was about. Some investigation she found out that a “friend” of a fellow agister had been asking a lot of questions about her boy and what he had done in the past. In Australia the Standardbred freezebrands mean you can find out a horse’s breeding and breeders off the internet with ease so he had probably realised how well bred this horse was and had dreams of racing. Glad to say that the “friend” was seen off the property and the horse is still happy with his loving owner.
There are some scarily mad people around!
Mares routinely play polo into their 20s. Here’s the difference: WE KEEP THEM UP. They stay fit, with maybe a few months of layoff every year. Perhaps they have one foal along the way. Bringing a 12 year old back after total layoff for nine years and all of those pregnancies would be like acting the Octo-Mom to run the Boston Marathon. Again, there’s NO reason to do it except ego. She’s doing it for the horse? How delusional is that? Memo to wackjob: Horses don’t care if they win a race. It is not like they wind up giving interviews to Diane Sawyer and getting VIP passes everywhere if they do. Winning ANYTHING with a horse is about WHAT HUMANS WANT. And there’s nothing wrong with that – as long as you don’t cross the line into poor judgment that can easily get the horse killed. This crosses the line.
There is nothing wrong with making the mare run as long as she passes the vet checks. The track will be watching the mare and her owner like a hawk, and will not allow her to run if she is unfit. Reading that article the mare was too much for the owner to handle riding. She may not have been able to find a rescure with space to take the mare. Atleast racing give the mare a purpose in life (besides trying to add to the horse population), and if the mare enjoys running why not? Tbs were bred to run.
On the note of running horses: I think that is is disgusting how under raced many of our TBs are. Colts should not be retiring to stud with under 10 races. They should show longevity on the track both in years and number of races ran in. I would love to see more horse race like they used to even in the 70s. If ever a topic should come up for debate it should be how we are losing the Thoroughbred breed. Our horses cannot run like they used to we breed for big bodies and spindly leg, no wonder they break down. If we could add more bone, breed to known Steeplechase sires or some good European or Australian sires. We need to have longer races and keep horses that have the stamina to go the distance. Getting rid of polytrack would also help. Horses do not know how to run on it, and in not knowing how to run on it they get injured. The ultimate heresay could be commited and the TB book could be open for select sires. Adding Polish Arab blood (Arabs bred and raced in Poland) or proven endurance arab would help provide stamina that we have lost.
well stated
One of the benefits of the poly tracks is to prevent injury. The track is consistent day to day, race to race. There is more cushion to the track than dirt. There are far less break downs and injuries on the poly track surfaces. That is the reason California made it mandatory to have the poly surface–it’s better for the horses. Horses are much more likely to get injured going from one dirt track to another dirt track because they vary so much in consistency, not just day to day, but from race to race. I do agree on the breeding going to shit, though.
We rescued a TB. He had raced his bloodlines are awesome. He was being given away for free. We picked him up. We were shocked he was a bag of bones with skin pulled acoss them. When he was “retired” from the track, he was suppose to be used lightly since his hocks were pinned and fired…(love that idea)my husband and i just stood there fighting back the tears. Well anyway he was used as a fancy jumper ,jumping 4’6-4’8. I also believe they changed his name at these $$ shows. Then this person got him. The reason she wanted him out of her barn was that someone was hot on their trail . They had found out he was being used and over used.. My husband asked her why is he so thin.. the answer well hes not doing anything for me why feed him…i thought my husband was going to strangle her..my main thing was get the papers, and get the horse on the trailer. when my vet came the following day,he had tears in his eyes. thats how bad he looked. the horse was eating a bale of hay a day 45-50 lbs a day. took us a year but we got him back in shape. he has his forever home. i ride him once in awhile around the farm thats it. hes 17.2 and nice and filled out now. i hope you read this you pieces of crap. you know who you are and remember i have your names they are on the papers. i have pics when we got him(and now of course) but i dont know how to post them. people suck..
Wow. Everything I know about racing I learned from Dick Francis novels, and even I know that this is a bad idea. The “trainer” is clueless and the horse is headed for a world of hurt. If the trainer had fallen in love with the old broodie and wanted to train her as a riding horse, sure.
Certainly there is nothing wrong with a 12 year old doing something–look at all the endurance trail horses in their teens & twenties, the jumpers & eventers & dressage horses, and so on. The difference is that they were not broodmares for many years. They have been in training through the years and brought along carefully and kept in fitness. The speed of racing can be catastrophic to a fit horse, let alone one who was a broodmare for so long.
The horse may indeed enjoy running, but does she enjoy the stress of racing? Does she feel the need to beat other horses in a race? Probably not.
The owner is a wack-a-doo with delusions of grandeur.
And talking of older horses, my 29 yr old guy was off his feed this morning & looking depressed so I took his temp. He about scared me to death with a temp of 104! By the time I called the vet & made up some bute and got back to him he was sweating & just radiating heat. Once the bute took effect, he perked right up, wanted food, drank a bunch of water & stopped sweating. I’ll tell you, over the decades I’ve had other horses pop a URI w/a burst of fever, but this much fever in one this old had me worried. He is closely monitored now and the vet is on stand-by. I am glad that he did not approach the record fever around here that one mare did years ago; she went up to 107 and that was really scary. A dose of bute & a call to the vet & lots of watching & she was fine. Did not even need a second dose as she never raised her temp again after that first day. The common URI that hits here every once in a while, out of the blue, seems to hit fast & hard but then dissipates rapidly.
A sick horse can certainly enliven one’s day…
Some have a love of horses, others money.
Many people have sighed for the “good old days” and regretted the “passing of the horse,” but today, when only those who like horses own them, it is a far better time for horses.
-Clinton Anderson
Too bad they just can get the money out of the equation…
Do not get me started on track veterinarians who clear horses to run when there are obvious issues. Same with trainers who send out horses drugged to mask the pain. I know these folks have to answer to the connections, but if I were in the vet/trainer’s shoes, I’d be looking out for the horse.
And wouldn’t have any horses to train or have any runners at my track if I established myself as a tough taskmaster when it comes to soundness.
I feel sorry for the lower level claimers and the county fair circuit runners and their peeps. It’s a tough life racing at that level; a lot of the time it’s win enough to pay for feed and fuel to haul to the next county fair for THAT series of races, hoping to have enough to pay the board and entry fees. Vet bills? Bute is cheaper.
It’s hand to mouth and Ms. Costello obviously hasn’t a clue about what it takes to start at Churchill Downs. Paying one’s dues means more than being on the “broodmare staff” at a TB farm.
I must join you in congratulating the efforts of the previous owner to keep this poor mare safe. I wish we heard about more owners behaving so responsibly.
I have to admit, it seems odd, and it was clearly against the previous owner’s wishes, but I don’t see that getting a sound 12 yr old mare racing fit again is inherently “nuts”, even if she’s had a bunch of time being a mom and a couch potato. It doesn’t fit with current norms, to be sure (although racing near babies is), but I don’t get why it’s so terrible in and of itself . It does sound like the woman probably isn’t qualified to do it, though.
Again, as TC poster FlowerEssence observed, did she not realize it was a CLAIMING RACE?
Now that’s TO funny.
*head-desk*
I better get off the computer and get my horse back into training. We only have a month left for him to get racing fit and win a race before he turns 13. Luckily, I have been training him in dressage and trail riding these last 4 years that he has been retired from racing, so he should be good to go *rolls eyes*
HEY!!! I have a 9 yr old mare that was a racehorse! Honey in the Money is her name and she’s a Seattle Slew grand-daughter! Why can’t she be raced??? Oh yeah, because I’m not an stupid, greedy, moronic ASSHAT!!!
My former racehorse doesn’t even have to have another career, like broodmare or saddle horse! She’s just my very own, great big, beautiful former racehorse!!! And that’s how she’s gonna stay!
I have an OTTB mare too. As a matter of fact, she had just had a stud colt weaned off of her when I got her. She’s bred like mad nuts and huge and beautiful. Princequillo x4, Damascus, Nasrullah x2, she’s by Pledge Card out of a mare by Tantoul who raced in Ireland and North America for four years before going to Chile. I can’t imagine her running again, but then again, I am planning on doing stuff with her that would probably be even more stressful, eventing. Then again, she might just sit in my pasture and be gorgeous. Or eventually I might breed her to the gorgeous Rubinrot who was featured on Fugly’s last blog and create a Non Fugly, valuable, worthy colt. Or I might give her to a teenaged girl who has a bigger set of Kahones than I do because those jumps sure have gotten bigger and I’m not sure I want to be that crazy anymore.
What I can NOT imagine is fitting her back up for racing, not with the microscopic fractures the TB’s are prone to. No way, no how.
Where to start?
I dont know of many 12yo pleasure horses who havent slacked off in competition and its not near as stressing on thier bodies as racing is. Being OTTB, I would say she is mid life at 12…maybe past mid life, the stress mental and physical is alot! The govt needs to set up a stupid people “sterilizing” party, LOL.
Im just at such a loss for words!
Oh My. Words cannot express….
Strictly speaking, that Bill of Sale was a contract- a contract is just an exchange of promises (that have to take on a specific form that isn’t really relevant here). I mention this only because if you tell a lawyer, “I want to sell my horse to X, but I want them to not be able to breed the horse,” then that is the document you will get. If your lawyer is not a horsey person, it may not occur to him or her that you want the horse back if the buyer breaks their promise.
What you need to ask for is a contract with a clause that lets you repossess the horse under certain conditions, including misuse or abuse. You also want to tell your lawyer that, if it’s possible under your state’s laws, you want to be able to show up with your trailer and take the horse home if you discover that your buyer is abusing the horse. If you take the horse by yourself when you’re not supposed to, it can actually hurt your chances of getting the horse back legitimately. Plus, it makes law enforcement very cross and stern.
It sounds like Mr. Tronz was trying to protect his horse, but never considered that this might happen. But I would hate to see someone think, “That won’t happen to me, I have a contract!” when his or her contract doesn’t actually protect the horse.
Also, if you signed a contract when you bought or adopted a horse, and you like the set of protections it gives, it is perfectly acceptable to give your lawyer a copy to work off of as a form. It will also save a lot of time, which will save you a lot of money.
Off-topic…but if anyone is a member of the Blatant Animal Idiocy blog…how do I get an invite? It’s intriguing me…and i’ve been looking at it for weeks and finally decided I want to see it’s content. lol email bey_kasha@hotmail.com
I’m trying to pry my forehead from my desk to add something constructive to the conversation.
Correct me if I’m wrong, but I’m sure I’ve heard that repeated pregnancies in humans can do bad things to their bones–so why would a horse be different?
I agree that this poor mare should not be raced–she’s been retired all this time (did she even retire sound the first time?) and it is cruel to subject her to that sort of stress again. I am happy that racing people stepped up and said this is wrong–and I hope people keep stepping up and prevent this woman from killing this poor mare because she believes there is a chance she might make some money. I think the chance of astronomical vet bills is exponentially higher than the mare winning. The RACING people are saying this is wrong–there’s your clue train that this is a Very Bad Idea.
And it was a claiming race?! Either the woman is lying or she is that dumb–either way she should not be allowed to race. She isn’t even qualified to train a racehorse at all.
I think there are many disciplines where a horse that’s been a retired attempted broodmare that had been off this long could come back and have a good career, but racing is not one of them.
Even if the owner didn’t care, I really don’t understand why someone would even want to try such a dumb idea. Definitely trying to “play trainer”.
I’m not familiar with the rules at Churchill Downs, but at ever race track I’ve been at has a fine system. Using profane language in the paddock – $100+. Disrespecting a race official – $500+ and a possible suspension. The stewards should throw the book at her as far as I’m concerned. That should substantially deplete her already sparse financial resources. The downside to that would be is she would probably continue to keep the mare despite not being able to feed it.
Also my boyfriend says apparently in Alberta it is ILLEGAL to enter a horse in a race that is over the age of 11. I would imagine we can thank King Ralph the red nosed Premier for that (he was a total idiot, but he did horse racing A LOT of favors. Guess what he was cutting the education budget for). I don’t know if it really is a law, but I’ve never met anyone who tried to run a horse that old so its never been something I needed to know. If its not actually a law, it should be.
“Again, as TC poster FlowerEssence observed, did she not realize it was a CLAIMING RACE?”
Ummmmm, as much as I hate to defend this woman in any way shape or form, unless you have a really nice horse that runs for allowance or stakes you don’t have the option to enter a horse in a race that isn’t claiming……
There’s optional claiming, but those are also bigger money and tougher races. All bottoms races are claiming. If your horse can’t run for opt. claiming or better you have to enter in claiming. If you don’t want the horse to get claimed, don’t run the horse.
The claiming system is simply a way to help keep people honest. You enter a $40,000 horse in a $5000 race someone is going to take your $40,000 horse for $5000. Keeps people from entering the horse in a race that it will win too easy just for easy money.
“She had so much spunk and, every time I rode her, she got higher and higher,†said the 27-year-old Costello, who has not previously started a horse in a race. “She has been really happy, and she loves to run. Honestly, I did it for her.â€
You could have taken her for a romp in the country side, let her gallop a bit on the track while you train a YOUNGER FIT horse, gave her some other job…. *rolls eyes*
But yes, I’m sure if I was already high strung then stalled 24/7 while being fed a ton of performance feed, I too would take to the track like a bat out of hell and ‘enjoy’ running (more like getting out!)…
I just think this is sad and greedy. As Fugs stated earlier, a horse doesn’t care if they win a race..humans do..Why can’t she gain recognition in some other way? Oh yeah, she would actually have to do something worthwhile, herself..that’s too much work! This horse could likely be injured and have to be put down.. hate people like this…
Horses do have heart and want to win. They are sad when they don’t win–they know it, and it lowers their confidence. If they’ve broken their maiden, they know what the winners circle is. When 2 horses are neck/neck in the final 1/16th it’s heart that is causing them to FIGHT for the win. The ones that don’t have the heart to win, are the sounds ones that aren’t “trying” or running around dead last. You can’t make a horse run as fast as they do in a race, they have to want it. As far as fairness for the mare… it’s like handing a crack addict that has been clean for 9 years, crack in a pipe. Oh, lets also make the addict allergic to crack because there is no way this mare should be running.
On the Paulick Report over the weekend his poll question was, do you agree with CD for now allowing the 12 yo mare to run. The vote wasn’t as strong as I thought it should be — only 72 percent of respondents agreed CD did the right thing. Am surprised there weren’t more votes agreeing. Of course if the Costello on Facebook is the Costello in question here, she might be computer-savvy enough to get friends and others to vote “no” and comprise the 28 percent who think CD should have minded their own business.
I have a 15 yo OTTB that still has “the moves” and “afterburners,” but racing is long past done in his life. That page of his resume is for “archival reference” only ;o)
When we adopted our OTTB, we promised the breeder/owner that we would never race him again. I personally didn’t feel that a “promise” was strong enough. We found articles that suggested that the breeder/owner write “Not to Race” on his registration papers in indelible ink and insisted that he do that.
We also keep up a blog on his progress that they can see how he is doing (doesn’t cost anything other than a little time and if you don’t have internet access, go to the library once a month). We have an open-door policy for them to visit unannounced at the stables where he is boarded as well.
I know this can be cumbersome if you are retiring multiple OTTB’s, but this open post-racing communication has brought peace of mind to all of us.
This is a fantastic idea. I do the same thing with my OTTB so I’m glad to hear I’m not alone. I keep an online blog of the horse’s progress and try to put a photo up at least once a month, usually more. Even if it’s nothing more than him standing in his pasture eating hay on a sunny day, you can see he’s happy, healthy, and not being raced. I am in another state than where I got him from so I can’t invite them over to see him when they like, but my website and phone are always available.
Hey all… subject aside for just a moment… anyone interested in helping out some horses and scoring some awesome stuff? Today is the last day for bidding in the CANTER mid-atlantic annual online auction. We have everything from baked goods to books to lessons/experiences with some of the top people in equestrian sport (lessons with Philip Dutton, Beezie Madden, Boyd Martin, Jimmy Wofford, and the like) and some truly once in a lifetime things (lessons ON four star eventer Antigua, driving lesson with Jamaica, 2008 USEF horse of the year).
http://cantermafallauction.proboards.com
I was there. In fact, they brought her back the other day to work her for the vet and stewards. That is her myspace page, at least the picture is of her. I wonder what state she got her trainers lisence in. Why would she want to start the horse at Churchill anyway? It would be easier for the horse to start at Turfway for sure. It never should have gotten as far as it did. As soon as the entry clerk saw a twelve year old mare who hadn’t raced in nine years, they should have called the stewards. It never should have made it to the paddock.
So I’d hate to think that Ky is behind California in racing rules. I know that in California, this couldn’t happen for a few reasons:
1. No Tb’s over 12 can race in a pari mutual race (a race with betting) in California
2. No QH’s over 10 can race (I may have that backwards – but you see the point)
3. A horse who hasn’t started in a year has to have three workouts clocked by the official clocker – these workouts need to be on par with other horses and one needs to be at least 5/8 of a mile and at least one gate workout where the official starter approves the horse to break cleanly and safely from the starting gate. This lets the betting public know how fit and ready the horse is to run. So if this mare couldn’t go half a mile in :52 or so…….
4. All trainers need to pass a licensing test that includes a written test, an interview with the racing stewards and also a practical test delivered by a panel of licensed trainers that can ask a potential licensee to answer questions and perform tasks such as putting on a standing wrap, or administering an approved medication etc. This is to keep the idiots from getting a trainer’s license. One panelist took a figure 8 noseband completely apart and gave it to potential trainers and told them to put it back together – you would be surprised how many couldn’t do it.
So WTF is up with Kentucky? This is a fail on the part of the State Racing Board. And what starving jockey volunteered to ride grandma in a race?
She probably got her license in a more lenient state. Ohio or West Virginia, maybe. At twelve year old can race in Kentucky and the mare had all the necessary works to be able to race. It isn’t Kentucky at fault here. And the bald guy is John Vietch, Alydaar’s trainer.
She would still have to be licensed by the KY racing commission/board… They might not have made her test, if she had a license in another state first (ie: Kansas has a very easy test). I was licensed in NM first. When I went to get my CA license several years later, they basically said they didn’t consider NM’s testing sufficient so I had to take the CA test. Honestly, the CA written was only slightly tougher than NM, everything else was the same…
KY may be part of that one license for multiple states program/thing… Anyone who can memorize facts can get a racing license somewhere… Just different requirements from state to state. As stupid as she is, she prolly blew someone (a few times!) into passing her
With a mouth like hers, can only assume.
The real test comes when you run… Or, in this bimbo’s case–entering a horse! Where was the Racing Secretary before the draw?! YIKES
Yeah, I didn’t find much funny about this but I did have a good LOL over some hack calling Hall of Famer John F*cking Veitch “that bald loser”.
Don’t get me wrong, I love to watch the oldies run, by which I mean the ones who get winters off (not a decade) and come back in the spring at seven and eight and nine. Unless your name is Michael Dickinson and you are widely known as “The Mad Genius”, you probably don’t have the chops to be trying something like this…and even then, I’m not sure he could’ve or would’ve.
Obviously Ms. Costello has never been pregnant before, let alone multiple times like this mare has. I ran track most of my life until early adulthood, I am in good physical shape, I am about the human equivalent of this mare’s age (middle aged) although I have had a few more than 9 years off the track and I have 2 children. I would not even consider racing let alone trying to get back in race shape.
Those who are defending this woman racing this mare obviously don’t understand how physically demanding racing is. It might be different if this mare had not had 9 years off and multiple pregnancies. If she was even half the trainer she thought she was she would understand that it takes more than a few runs around the track to get back in to race shape.
I agree – the toll that all those pregnancies take is not inconsequential. This is like asking the Octo-Mom or Michelle Duggar to go out there and race against some 20 year old who has never had a child. In rare instances, mares do return to racing after one foal…not a half dozen.
I completely agree with those who say this girl has read too many horse books. The Thoroughbred Champions thread is HILARIOUS…they actually started writing scenes from the movie, what a hoot. It’s just so far removed from reality that this mare should come back and race much less that she could win a race. I feel like someone needs to sit Ms. Costello down and explain that what you see in the movies is pretend.
““Again, as TC poster FlowerEssence observed, did she not realize it was a CLAIMING RACE?â€
Ummmmm, as much as I hate to defend this woman in any way shape or form, unless you have a really nice horse that runs for allowance or stakes you don’t have the option to enter a horse in a race that isn’t claiming……”
I think the point was that the “trainer” claimed the horse was her pet and would be with her for life — however, the only way to make that a fact is NOT to race her, since the only races open to her are claiming races. Not to mention that I don’t believe you can enter a horse in a claiming race with “conditions” on the claim, such as that the mare was not to be bred again — which, now that I think of it, would probably be a violation of her contract with the previous owner.
I just hope the authorities NEVER allow this mare to race again. This is like a woman of 35-40 who’s had multiple children and then suffered multiple miscarriages competing in the 100-yard dash against college-age women! As someone has noted, those athletes who do continue to compete into middle age (and sometimes after having children) never go completely out of training, including during pregnancies. The idea that this poor mare could be in legitimate racing shape in a matter of months after spending more than half her life in the broodmare band is just obscene.
I still don’t see it as inherently crazy. There are horses playing high goal polo well into their teens and even early 20s… all of that hard galloping, those hard stops and turns! Jumping is also incredibly hard on a horse’s legs, but most of the best cross country horses/show jumpers are a bit older. Racing is just running really fast in pretty much a straight line… no hard stops and turns, no jarring from the weight of a horse and rider touching down hard onto a single foot coming off a jump. And some of those horses very well may end up with some significant time off before making a “comeback”. If race horses break down, it seems like it must be because they’re started so young, their breeders don’t care about and don’t breed for long term soundness, race horses are notoriously poorly shod and trimmed, in some cases to “make them faster”? Also, their diets tend to have a lot of sugar/grain, which isn’t great for the hoof structures. That doesn’t mean this lady isn’t nuts, but when I see “12 year old horse” I am thinking “oh, a horse still in its prime”, and I can’t help but feel that a lot of people are just echoing what they hear. I don’t think the situations are -quite- analogous, but I’d love to see fhotd do a follow-up post on those kooks who “busted” that Chicago carriage company for keeping horses in an unheated barn and other “horrors”. The case just closed out and the kooks at PETA are all aflutter http://blog.peta.org/archives/2009/09/victory_chicago_horses.php It looks like the charges really were ridiculous, and meanwhile, as you know, there are -real- horrors going on around Chicago – you know, the neighbors who let their horses starve and don’t deworm. I’d love to see you cover in particular, how terrifying it could be for us horse owners to have non-horse people calling the shots – because when you start watching the videos and listening to the truly ignorant comments, it’s really scary. Apparently, a lot of people really think that a muddy horse in good weight, kept in an unheated barn is “abused”. One of my favorite comments from the videos was something like “these horses are meant to be all shiny, with their manes and tails flowing in the wind”, or another gem “the owner admitted that temps dropped to 29 degrees in the barn”. I think this topic is only going to become more relevant as activists who have no idea about horses try to “help” us with horse neglect and abuse.
The Chicago thing was MAJOR Chicago politics. It had nothing to do with horses or animal rights, it was that someone decided to victimize that carriage company owner and that’s exactly what happened. We all knew it was bullshit.
As I already posted, it’s totally different with polo ponies. We keep them so fit throughout their lives, they aren’t having babies and sitting in a field. The bone density stays up because they stay fit, with maybe a few months of lay off every year. If you have a horse super fit, it supports the bone and prevents injuries. Race horses are NOT typically anywhere near as fit as polo ponies, I’d argue that with anyone. That’s why they don’t shatter legs every ten minutes even though polo is actually more demanding than racing. I’d throw polo up to anyone as the gold standard of how to condition a horse to run fast and NOT break down but look at how consistently we work them and how slowly we fit them up when they have been laid off. And we don’t play 2 year olds (well every once in a while there is a moron but it’s not commonly done).
I think a lot of horsemen get it (the Chicago thing), but I’m not sure the public does. It really spooked me.
“Apparently, a lot of people really think that a muddy horse in good weight, kept in an unheated barn is “abusedâ€. ”
HOLY CRAP! This just happened to me on Saturday. This lady parks out on the road, knocks on my door and attempts to pawn off her excess roosters on me. When I declined, citing the fact I already have a rooster, she says to me, “Well I guess I should have just dumped them off like I had planned.”
WHAT????? ARE YOU KIDDING??
So as kindly as I could through the red veil and clenched teeth, I tell her that roosters will fight and hers could injure or kill my rooster if she did such a thing. In which case, I would have to cheerfully wring their necks.
Her bitchy comeback? I need to take better care of my horses, she’s turned me in (to a non existent enforcement entity) TWICE…lol…because my horses were just that, dirty. No mention of the roll marks out in the mud after they’d all been groomed in the morning. Unbeleivable! Especially in light of the fact she was trying to get ME to CARE for some of her creatures! Huh. Good enough for chickens but not horses, I guess…WTF?
Put it this way, my vet says he wants to be reincarnated as one of my horses. ’nuff said.
I was going to copy and paste the latest post of hers from COTH, but realized it would violate laws against the theft of bandwidth. Suffice it to say it’s laced with profanity, she refers to another poster as a “cumdumpster” , among other lovely terms. I’m waiting for it to be deleted.
She’s posting as What9000? and claiming to be someone who knows Kathleen Costello, but it’s quite clearly her. She’s doing an excellent job of ensuring no one will want to hire her to so much as scrub a manure fork after this.
Link! Link! Post the link!
OMG. COTH is going to SO delete her but let’s read it first.
What’s that old quote, better for people to think you are an idiot than to open your mouth and remove all doubt?
COTH deleted all the offensive parts already, which is a shame because it was pretty hilarious. (it’s in the racing section, can’t miss it)
Shoot. C’mon folks, are you ALL working today? Didn’t anybody copy it before it poofed?
Someone invite her over here! Let’s hear from ol’ potty mouth herself!
I did indeed copy it before it vanished. Here it is, in all its unedited glory. From COTH, in the racing forum, posted today by What9000?!, I give you:
“Wow, since its ok to call me names.. Lets roll with that then. LOL
//LULZ MODE ON//
Laurie, your Epic faggotry is Epic! LOL! Now do the world a favor and go DIAF.
In regards to the papers.. You DON’T know the whole story. So go have yourself a cup of STFU.
In regards to Grand Forks, She is sound and has been seen by many vets. Who are you to say she is unfit or broke down? Are you a doctor of veterinarian medicine? Have you examined Grand forks personally? Do you know grand forks? No you say? Thought so.
Attacking someone who has a dream just shows how much of a worthless cumdumpster(s) you are. I love it how most of you just cant handle that maybe this horse is in good shape and can run. Its your hatred and negativity that fuels us. So I give you many thanks.
Yes we know WTF a Claiming race is you inbred DOLT. Did you ever think to pull that cawk out of your mouth for just one second and realize maybe there was a strategy behind that?
//LULZ MODE OFF//
I think its so funny how people can act all big and bad sitting behind their keyboards, RAGE, and say things they dont have the guts to say in real life. Grand forks is getting the best care and despite what some of you think, Kathleen knows her shit, and has plenty of guidance from various credible sources.
Now im not entering into a pissing contest with anyone here. But if the conversation stays respectful I would like to actually talk with you folks. See, I do hold loyalty to horsemen in general and would help them before someone else. Thanks.”
(Marathon here – The “Laurie” addressed in the post is a COTH member with several years of solid experience breeding, raising, and training racehorses).
You can pretty much conclude from the above that this would be Kathleen herself. I pointed out to her that she is doing herself NO favors if she hopes to have a snowball’s chance in hell of making a career of training thoroughbreds. The horse community is small, the Thoroughbred racing community smaller still, and they do have internet service for the most part. Memories are long. Her behavior thus far may well cost her the patronage of future clients who will remember how she behaved in this situation.
She won’t be racing the mare at CD this meet.
http://www.courier-journal.com/blogs/trackside/2009/11/grand-forks-works-but-faces-another.html
“Grand Forks, the 12-year-old mare who was scratched in the paddock last Wednesday before what would have been her first race in nine years, worked Saturday morning at Churchill Downs to the satisfaction of chief state veterinarian Bryce Peckham.
However, the Churchill stewards afterward said Grand Forks cannot be entered for a race until tests on blood taken from the mare after the workout are completed. That is expected to be no earlier than Friday. The meet ends Saturday with an all-2-year-old card.”
Over on the COTH thread she’s trying her damndest (as What9000? and alters i.e. all13579 to back herself up) to take the focus off her by dragging Trontz’s name in the mud. Everywhere I’ve seen this story similar comments are showing up defaming Trontz and trying to make it about him. A real class act she is!
What9000?! What9000?! is offline
Greenie
Join Date: Nov. 19, 2009
Posts: 7
Default
Quote:
Originally Posted by all13579 View Post
Anyone that has ever done any business with Rick Trontz knows that he’s anything BUT decent. Here’s one of many examples
http://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-raci…kentucky-trial
He’s been a liar and a weasel from the beginning and someone finally got to take him to court.
Just look at all the discrepancies about his side of this story from one article to the next.
I don’t really know anything about her or the horse other than the horse apparently passed the state vet exam (which would indicate that the horse is sound and in good health for racing), and that it had 3 workouts pretty close together and remained sound. But, what I do know, is that I’m not buying Rick’s side of it.
About time someone says this other than me. Thank you good sir or madam. I’m not saying the media has lied about this story in any way… But what I am saying is there is much more to it than you all know.
In response to the person who smelled a troll; no trolls here. The horse is fit, and passed the state exam TWICE on race day. She is just as sound as any other horse that was entered in race 5.
That was actually jon odom, the friend of kathleen that walked grands fork to the paddock and cussed everyone out. I know because i know jon those are his words. Its so pathetic that he thinks he is fooling people by posting as different users
alright fugs, here she is in all her glory:
“Wow, since its ok to call me names.. Lets roll with that then. LOL
//LULZ MODE ON//
Laurie, your Epic faggotry is Epic! LOL! Now do the world a favor and go DIAF.
In regards to the papers.. You DON’T know the whole story. So go have yourself a cup of STFU.
In regards to Grand Forks, She is sound and has been seen by many vets. Who are you to say she is unfit or broke down? Are you a doctor of veterinarian medicine? Have you examined Grand forks personally? Do you know grand forks? No you say? Thought so.
Attacking someone who has a dream just shows how much of a worthless cumdumpster(s) you are. I love it how most of you just cant handle that maybe this horse is in good shape and can run. Its your hatred and negativity that fuels us. So I give you many thanks.
Yes we know WTF a Claiming race is you inbred DOLT. Did you ever think to pull that cawk out of your mouth for just one second and realize maybe there was a strategy behind that?
//LULZ MODE OFF//
I think its so funny how people can act all big and bad sitting behind their keyboards, RAGE, and say things they dont have the guts to say in real life. Grand forks is getting the best care and despite what some of you think, Kathleen knows her shit, and has plenty of guidance from various credible sources.
Now im not entering into a pissing contest with anyone here. But if the conversation stays respectful I would like to actually talk with you folks. See, I do hold loyalty to horsemen in general and would help them before someone else. Thanks.”
that isnt kathleen costello typing its actually jon odom, the guy who cussed out the racing commissioner. I know Jon personally and those are definately his words. He is obsessed with the internet forum “4chan”. He used dialoge from there such as “DIAF” (die in a fire) He is every bit as unstable as he seems and is only following Kathleen because he thinks her and Grand Forks is his ticket back into the horse industry
“Attacking someone who has a dream” – Good LORD, lady, you sound like a 6 year old who just found out there is no Santa Claus!
If she wants to have a respectful conversation, I’ll be happy to ask a respectful question: Why on earth, if your goal is to win money racing and build a reputation as a race trainer, would you not pick up a young horse you can afford? Knowing, as you should since you were employed by a racing stable, that a 12 year old mare who has not been raced in 9 years has pretty much ZERO odds of ever winning money, why would you even make the attempt?
I mean, in my dreams I’m Claudia Schiffer but in real life I’ve got better sense than to try walking down a runway. Just saying…
Oh and also, regarding putting her in a claiming race:
“Did you ever think to pull that cawk out of your mouth for just one second and realize maybe there was a strategy behind that?”
I did think that. I thought it might be an attempt to extort $5,000 from a kind-hearted person who is horrified your mare may end her life in a tangled, bloody heap on a racetrack. Thanks for confirming that. Maybe you are even trying to extort the money from the gentleman who fired you. I think at this point we can all see how you rendered yourself unemployable.
I was thinking the exact same thing. Couldn’t have said it better myself!
Honestly, if a horse is sound, I don’t have a problem with racing them when they’re older. If they keep racing and stay sound, why not? I’m in the process of buying a gelding off the track and I deliberately looked at the older horses. The seven-year-old I’m buying had 68 starts and as the vet who did the PPE said, if they’ve been around that long with that many starts and are still sound, they’re probably going to be sound for anything you want to do with them.
But the horse I’m buying, and the other seven+ year-olds listed through places like FLTAP and CANTER, have mostly been in CONTINUOUS training. They’re racing because they’ve been earning enough to justify racing them, and now they’re not, and for one reason or another they’re not suitable for breeding. This mare apparently wasn’t earning enough to justify the cost of keeping her in training with someone who already does it for a living, and she apparently isn’t worth much as a broodie, either. I don’t think it particularly likely she’s going to drop dead just from running. I could have run my horse at twelve and he would have loved it–but he’d have gotten his butt kicked even with conditioning because he was MY horse after he’d shown he wasn’t any good at racing. There are probably trainers out there who could make a twelve-year-old mare off a layup into something competitive, but they’re not first-timers who haven’t even served an assistantship.
I do think Chuchill Downs should have scratched the mare earlier–it’s not like they weren’t aware she was there and entered. Letting it turn into a public spectacle in the paddock serves no one’s interest.
The “trainer’s”….I hesitate to call it a scheme, but it’s not logical enough to be a plan…to win money by betting on her own horse at long odds…suggests she’s got a limited grasp of how racing works, and I wonder how she managed to get as far as she did. Has she ever actually bet on anything? I go to the track to bet as a form of RECREATION, and it’s a REALLY good day if I come out a few bucks ahead. I don’t do it by betting on extreme longshots. The handicapper does not give a horse 50-1 on the morning line because he thinks it’s got a great shot at pulling off an upset (and before she brings up Mine That Bird, D’Tara, etc, there’s a huge difference between ‘weak against other Gr. 1 company’ and ‘weak against bottom of the barrel claimers.’)
If the mare tests sound and passes all the bloodwork, then she should be allowed to enter a race…and hopefully someone will claim her and retire her, and if she hasn’t alienated everyone in the TB industry, the trainer can use the money to support herself while she finds someone to apprentice under.
I think racing a 12 year old is smarter than racing a 2 year old. My 17 year old arabian mare just did her first 55 mile endurance ride a couple weeks ago. She LOVES going down the trail. When she sees the horse trailer hooked up she comes running.
Just my opinion.
Michelle Detmer
It’s not so much the age, it’s the likely level of fitness of this mare.
As has been stated, older horses can run. On the A circuits I believe its up until they are 12 as long as they have been consitantly running and have placed in the top 3 in the past year. They can run older on the bush tracks and I’ve seen some older runners that are hard knockers. A 9yr old nearly won a Breeder’s Cup race this year and I used to take care of a 10 yr old stakes horse that was still winning. None of this is remotely the same as this little douchebag bringing this old mare back to the races. What I want to know is which asshat granted her a trainer’s license and why did the racing secretary accept the entry on this horse? I’m surprised they found a rider to even agree to be named on her given the facts…..
Getting a trainer’s license isn’t usually as simple as walking in and paying the fee. There IS supposed to be testing and interviews as well as you need to have established trainers `sponsor’ you. You also need to have a legitimate horse to train. I cannot figure out how she ticked all the boxes or passed her exam.
The only good thing about any of this is she has likely pissed off the very wrong people. I”m thinking she doesn’t have a hope in hell of building her barn given who she has crossed over this situation. We all know the horse world is small, the racehorse world is even smaller…..
Ok, I just looked this mare up. She is a winner of a very minor stake race at a very minor track. Not on her best day was she probably competitive in the company they were trying to send her with. However, she is also very nicely bred and by Quiet American who is in demand as a broodmare sire. Sadly, she’s obviously got reproductive problems and has no value there. These pair of asstards are probably hoping nobody is smart enough to figure it out and think 5K for a stake winning daughter of Quiet American is a good buy. They should take a stroll around the backside of the track and ask how many of the big name trainers made their fortune and built their barns by running an ancient broodmare and betting on it? Unless they were doing something very shady, this mare didn’t have a hope in hell….
I’ve worked a lot with racehorses and it’s completely possible for a 12 year old to race. But not this 12 year old, after being off the scene for nine years and being pregnant for much of the time.
To get any horse up to race fitness after a long break, you need to do many months of slow, steady conditioning. Lots of walking, swimming and slow work. This poor old mare is the first horse the woman has trained. I bet she hasn’t got the skill and knowledge to get an old horse fit. Why couldn’t she buy a nice, young horse cheaply and learn the ropes that way? Crazy stuff.
Sorry Fugs, but I’ll have to disagree. 12 is not too old to run, especially without the wear and tear of constant training. She hasn’t been beat up and used up. Look at the Grand National horses, they race over much tougher courses often into their teens…(not that i am a fan of the GN, just sayin…). And yes, they are usually kept fit over their life, but horses don’t lose fitness like people do, you can bring them back if you do it right. As far as losing bone density with pregnancy, that’s usually from lactation, from her record, doesn’t look like she ever had a viable foal…. And yes, she would also lose bone density sitting around, but the wonderful thing about bone is that it responds to stress by remodeling. She’s in work and likely has had some remodeling going on. Do you have any evidence that physiologically speaking this is a bad idea? I’d love to see it. Is she fit? Maybe, you don’t know what kind of workouts she’s been getting. Maybe she is , maybe she isn’t. The track vet has watched her work and has pronounced her OK to race. trust me Dr Peckham didn’t dod that because he believed in the dream, in fact I’m sure he would have loved to find a reason for her not to race, but he did not find one. Will she win? probably not, but so what. If the mare loves to run and is sound and fit, why not let her…. As a former stakes horse (albiet a smaller one) she might have a chance against nickel claimers. And I’m sure the owner knows what a claiming race is, and I doubt anyone would claim this mare for 5K (other than someone trying to “save” her from racing). Anyone who knows anything about racing realizes that a fair number of horses you care about will be in the claiming ranks….just look at any race card, they aren’t full of stake and allowance races.
And there are two sides to every story, you assume the old owner is telling the truth (even though he himself changed his story…) He never said she could not race, only could not be bred. And trust me, that was NOT to protect the mare….. Now he doesn’t want her raced, but it’s not his mare. And did she get “fired” as you said, or laid off as is reported. There is a difference.
BTW, I’ve seen horses go back to the track and perform well after extended layoffs (many years), it is not impossible.
Oh and about that 17 year old, did you see why they brought him back? He was miserable being retired….He came back to life at the track. Wasn’t that a good thing? Yes, he now probably has a job that will keep him happier, he can stay at the track and not have to run…..
Maybe the owner is a little loopy, aand it’s probably not the smartest decision in the world, but you guys have gone over the edge on this one. People run horses on a dream all the time, you see at every track. As long as they aren’t hurting them, why not? Of course you all think this fragile grandma mare is gonna break down, but there really is no evidence for that….
I usually agree with FOTHD but this time, I’m wondering “why not?” This mare could very well be healthier and better able to withstand the demands of the track than her 3 yo cousins! As long as she is fit, healthy, happy, and able to run (without medicinal shortcuts like steroids or out-of-the-ordinary pain meds), I say give it a try. Horses need jobs that suit them. Might I remind all of you of this little gem – the 32-Year-Old Half-Arabian Wins AHA High-Point Distance Award. http://www.equiworld.net/0203/iaha01.htm
Different discipline, sure…. but the principles are the same.
PS FOTHD ? oops. sorry. should have written FHOTD.
My take on the problem here is that mare, if she can be conditioned for racing, is very likely to have good chances at a riding career as well. It seems that the owner is more about having the profit of a racehorse than producing a good using horse, who could be useful into her 20s for riding in another discipline.
The odds of the mare breaking down, or having an injury, are greater in racing than say as a dressage or low level hunter. She would have a much more useful life doing something else in the long run. That’s my .02 cents.
I got fired working at a barn — because I couldn’t throw a hale bale from the ground up into a second story hay loft, and lift FULL pickle-barrel sized water buckets over my head to put into their holders (don’t even get me started on how some old time Saddlebred trainers feed and water those poor animals — using a hose to fill a bucket? don’t think so, and they got watered twice a day while eating, no more). Yeah, I am not and never have been a brawny farm hand. So getting laid off or fired isn’t always the person’s fault, there are some really annoying trainers/owners out there.
I understand that everyone has dreams of getting the next Ruffian, or something, but this mare is probably not it. At 27, you might believe it though. If this woman is a great judge of horses, I agree with other readers, grab something else off a track sale, or somewhere, and race it. It really does sound like this is a “get rich quick (ly) scheme” for this woman, and her friends, to start a racing stable. As one person said, “Dreamer” was a fictional account …as was National Velvet. I will say though my farrier picked up a thrown off claimer in California, took him East, and made a lot of money with the horse, who I am happy to say bought the farm he’s retired on now. So things like this can happen in the world if you are smart about it. And really, if you give a horse away, there’s not much you can say if you give the person the papers with it, for whatever the reason. The original owner didn’t want, or need this barren mare with no future. At least she’s cared for and didn’t get shipped to a sale or put on the truck.
Racing probably won’t kill the mare, and she will be no better or worse off than any other OTTB, and probably better since she’s being scrutinized so much. Just about everyone reading this blog has seen worse abuses young horses go thru to make a buck for low rent trainers. I sure have.
My take on the problem here is that mare, if she can be conditioned for racing, is very likely to have good chances at a riding career as well. It seems that the owner is more about having the profit of a racehorse than producing a good using horse, who could be useful into her 20s for riding in another discipline.
The odds of the mare breaking down, or having an injury, are greater in racing than say as a dressage or low level hunter. She would have a much more useful life doing something else in the long run. That’s my .02 cents.
I got fired working at a barn — because I couldn’t throw a hale bale from the ground up into a second story hay loft, and lift FULL pickle-barrel sized water buckets over my head to put into their holders (don’t even get me started on how some old time Saddlebred trainers feed and water those poor animals — using a hose to fill a bucket? don’t think so, and they got watered twice a day while eating, no more). Yeah, I am not and never have been a brawny farm hand. So getting laid off or fired isn’t always the person’s fault, there are some really annoying trainers/owners out there.
I understand that everyone has dreams of getting the next Ruffian, or something, but this mare is probably not it. At 27, you might believe it though. If this woman is a great judge of horses, I agree with other readers, grab something else off a track sale, or somewhere, and race it. It really does sound like this is a “get rich quick (ly) scheme” for this woman, and her friends, to start a racing stable. As one person said, “Dreamer” was a fictional account …as was National Velvet. I will say though my farrier picked up a thrown off claimer in California, took him East, and made a lot of money with the horse, who I am happy to say bought the farm he’s retired on now. So things like this can happen in the world if you are smart about it. And really, if you give a horse away, there’s not much you can say if you give the person the papers with it, for whatever the reason. The original owner didn’t want, or need this barren mare with no future. At least she’s cared for and didn’t get shipped to a sale or put on the truck.
Racing probably won’t kill the mare, and she will be no better or worse off than any other OTTB, and probably better since she’s being scrutinized so much. Just about everyone reading this blog has seen worse abuses young horses go thru to make a buck for low rent trainers. I sure have.
“I do think Churchill Downs should have scratched the mare earlier–it’s not like they weren’t aware she was there and entered. Letting it turn into a public spectacle in the paddock serves no one’s interest.”
It MAY serve the racetrack’s interest, as well as the Jockey Club’s. Look at the attention the story is getting! It should have a dampening effect on other asshats who can’t tell the difference between “fit” and “racing fit;” or those who want to “game” the system.
As for reasons, she’s one of two types: either a fool who really thinks (thanks to all the lovely horse stories in which it happens) that she will win a zillion bucks on her 50-1 longshot; or a cynical, uncaring jerk who hopes someone will buy her cheapo mare for $5000. Either way, she loses, unless some other fool actually *does* claim the mare. (We dog rescuers have to fight the fools who buy dogs out of bad situations; thus giving the former owners the motive to keep up the badness.)
As for sound vs. fit for racing: I know someone who went for their first trail ride in the spring, taking her fat, 6 yr old Lab with her. It was a warm day. He was “sound,” but dropped dead 3 miles out. No big surprise there.
Ruthie
Good for the previous owner and for the racetrack for taking a stand.
I mean, even if by some miracle the poor mare doesn’t break down, it is just the stupidest idea ever. It never fails to amaze me how truth is stranger than fiction… I mean you just can’t make this stuff up!
Anyone could go a track and take their pick from a large number RACING FIT horses from trainers who are looking to dump underperformers, for free or next to nothing. WHY pick an out-of-shape 12 year old to start your “career”? Besides the questionable ethics of doing that to a horse… Why set yourself up for disaster/humiliation?
You gotta have the right tool for the job. If I decided I wanted to start competitive mountainbiking, I would try to get a mountain bike or something close to it…. I wouldn’t pull my pink banana-seat little-girl bicycle with the training wheels out of storage and try to ride down a wooded trail on it.
She must have read The Black Stallion one too many times.
Her logic that the mare ‘loves to run’ is so flawed. Sure, maybe she likes to run. But there is a big difference between a feel-good gallop and race training. Sure, I like to sing in the car, but that doesn’t mean I think I should try out for American Idol.
There’s just no hope for people like this who don’t have an ounce of common sense. Other people have to make the decisions for them, and I’m glad the track did just that.
Do horses attract a high percentage of crazy, or is it just as prevalent amongst the general population?
The previous owner probably didn’t specify she wasn’t to be used for racing because it never occurred to him that anybody would be so stupid and cruel to attempt to run a 12 yr old broodmare. Its NOT a good idea no matter what anybody says. She is a former racehorse and probably retired with a lot of wear and tear on her already. If she’s a decent horse, she will also likely try beyond her physical capabilities and get hurt. I don’t know about the rest of you, but watching some jockey beating the ass off an old broodmare to try and save jock mount is about as fun as going to a bullfight. Its cruel and disgusting. This mare doesn’t owe anybody her life like this….
Go for it Kathleen! Don’t let anybody to stop you – if you think you horse is up to task and fit to race, it’s non of their business to tell you what to do.
And the big time, knowledgeable racehorse trainers and breeders some people on this forum referred to ?
I’m not sure if you are referring to the breeders who produce inbred crap on weak, spindly legs with no hoof to run on that nowadays passes as TB horse, or the trainers who run their yearlings to the ground, and since 1978 were not able to produce any horse to win the Triple Crown, nor make any horse to run a nanosecond faster than the great Secretariat.
That’s the state of a racing industry today, and it makes me sick when these people feel like giving advice to the others.
Please remember that breeders attempted to reproduce Secretariat for years. FAIL! Secretariat had a heart that was substantially larger than the normal horse’s heart, a trait which he failed to pass down. I can show you a barn full of TBs with good bone and strong feet. I do disagree with breaking long yearlings and would love to see two year old racing abolished and I believe that will happen. This woman did wrong by telling the former owner that she wanted the mare for dressage, yet turned around and decided to race her. I reccommend that anyone who wishes to discredit top horsemen at the greatest track in the country spent some time on the backside actually rubbing those horses and getting to know those horsemen. This woman needs to take some advice from someone who knows more than her because she has made herself look a fool. There is a reason the mare was retired as a three year old. She should stay retired.
You are judging the state of the industry on the fact that we haven’t had another Secretariat? You do realize it is widely known that he ran on steroids, I hope? I guess you haven’t heard of Zenyatta or Rachel Alexandra? Two pretty amazing horses that are NOT running on steroids because they are now banned……Even Secretariat got beat in his career. He was a once in a lifetime horse. If it was that easy to just have another like him, believe me there would be many.
Yes, it is people’s business when you decide to run a horse at a public meet. That is why there are racing commissions and rules and regulations. Because there will always be some complete nut, like this Costello creature that hatches some hair brained scheme to hit it big rather than go the conventional route of hard work and love of the animal. Again, take a poll of the trainers that started horses in the Breeder’s Cup this year. Ask how many of them would every or have ever consider pulling a 12 yr old broodmare out of retirement for ANY reason let alone to cash a bet or extort the claiming price from somebody. I suppose you will tell me they are ALL wrong and evil and only poor little Costello Creature is right….
Yeah, I know Zenyatta and Rachel Alexandra – the lucky ones (so far), I do also remember Ruffian and Barbaro, and the countless others whose young bones simply gave up under pressure ( but thank God they were run by famous, great horsemen, not inexperienced “asshats” like Kathleen Costello)
And yes, I know the Secretariat was unusual, but my point was that if you look at human sports, there is a steady progress in results in the last 70 years – for example 100 meter dash record in 1940 was 10.2 seconds versus 9.84 sec today. And women made a whopping 10.5 % improvement in the same period of time – any discipline.
Could you explain why there is zero improvement in racing Thoroughbreds ? If I’m not mistaken it was trainer Lucas who said: ” I get the fastest ones, and then pray they don’t break down right away ”
As far as steroids usage -are you kidding me? – you are actually believing everybody is clean as they claim and horses don’t get anything because it’s banned?. The theft and murder are banned and people still do it.
And LOLASL – it’s none of your business to decipher somebody’s “hair (hare?) brained” schemes when it comes to her own horse that passed all required vet checks – go to the racing stewards and tell them to change the rules if you don’t like them. And perhaps think about retiring your OWN horses at the ripe age of 12 – fortunately others can for the most time still decide for themselves. Regards.
I also find it hysterical (and ironic) that they called John Veitch “that bald loser”… By that alone they proved their very limited knowledge / stupidity with regards to racing. Methinks insulting the Chief Steward (I believe that’s the official title) would be the last thing one would want to do….
I have no problem with older horses racing. I have a problem with a horse that has been yard art for 9 years coming back to racing. It’s simply not in the best interest of the horse.
If the “proud flesh” is on the sole of the foot it could well be canker, an extremely difficult and expensive condition to cure. You’d need a very experienced vet and farrier to make the diagnosis and attempt to treat it.
http://www.equipodiatry.com/canker1.htm
Photos would help, Fugs.
Canker sucks. It is the genital warts of the horse world. Even if you succeed in removing the offending tissue, the horse still has the canker. I BELIEVE that said horse, in the right housing conditions, can spread canker, too. It may take some time, often a few years, for the canker to find the perfect horse and get all wonky, but in my experience unless the cankered horse and it’s housing are completely clear and CLEAN: including a several week cycle of bleach and scrubbing of stalls coupled with complete air out and drying, canker will not go away.
That is why it is prevalent in draft breeds who stand in uphill stalls all day. This is in no way proven by science, just my OWN observations in the horse world for over 35 years, and my mother’s observations for the 30 years before she had me, and HER mother’s observations and so on and so forth….all corroborated by our farm journals which are written in every day no matter what, for every animal no matter what. Exceptions made for flocks of goats/ sheep or herds of cows, unless an individual had an issue.
Ugh, another old post, but WHY don’t they brand these horses (painful, I know, but not as painful as breaking down on the track!) as DO NOT BREED or DO NOT RACE? Live cover is mandatory for TBs. If there is a NB on the rump OR an NB/R on the rump, or inside thigh, that could quickly check this? I would rather have my horse branded than broken down or used to produce dog/ french fodder. JMNSHO