Life as a Darley Flying Start Trainee
Lexington, August 2007
With the weather a whole lot warmer and the grass a good deal bluer, spring time hit Kentucky and with it, the second half of our stay within America. As our practical rotations reached their final stages, mock trials, racing, a stewards course, lectures, farm visits, sales, presentations and the much anticipated placements were going to make sure our next four months in the thoroughbred capital of the world were demanding, enlightening and amusing.
Stoll Keenon Ogden PLLC is the Lexington based law firm where top lawyers William T. Bishop, Shannon Arvin, Richard Nunnelley and David Royse are sourced to provide a legal education to the Flying Start trainees. After six weeks of lectures and an assignment, a mock trial was to wrap up our insight into American Equine law. With Joe Osborne viewing his ‘race fixing case’ via video-conference from the confines of Kildangan, and twelve ‘not so angry’ Darley jurors in the jury box, the scene was set. When Simon Ferguson (Eden) caused Eddie Propitiuos (Alex) to tell the whole courtroom that he lies for sport, it looked as if he had turned the case into a no brainer and that Paula Peace’s (Liz) Megarose Stable were indeed right to bring, Vinny Vision (Dean) and Ramone Ramirez (Jun Ling) et al into disrepute. However with Ramone Ramirez making the court room his own, the jury were in despair when Rick Nunnelly dropped the gavel and adjourned. Thanks to the common sense that was shown by Dan Pride the right result was achieved and the defendant’s attorneys, Jerome, Sarah and Fabricio could sleep easy knowing that they were the best liars in town.
The Keeneland spring meet is one of the most important, influential and more significantly social events of the racing calendar. It also provides an extremely attractive occasion to Flying Start trainees based barely two miles away. Supposedly one of the most charismatic tracks within America, highlights included days spent with stewards (including Alydar’s trainer John Veitch), lunch with renowned consignor James Keogh and witnessing some top class racing, including The Bluegrass Stakes.
The Bluegrass is recognized as the final major trial for The Kentucky Derby. Horses are able to prepare themselves for what is renowned for being the biggest race of the year or purely try and gain enough purse money to qualify for the race. The Derby is an event in which after witnessing some of the finest horseracing that America had to offer, both on the track at Keeneland and in the much visited simulcasting hall, had us all licking our lips and, for some, our wounds.
With Keeneland’s three-week meet drawing to a close, we could all concentrate on making our selections for the ‘Run for the Roses’. However finding the winner was not as imperative as trying to get our hands on Michael Banahan’s ten dollars, smugly challenged during one of our many meetings with Jonabell’s manager. Thank goodness the aptly named Imawildandcrazyguy produced the goods for Andrew by finishing fourth.
After a trip to Churchill on the Monday before the big race, where we watched the pretenders strut their stuff on the backstretch and Brandon hunt down Mr. Wayne, the unstoppable Charlie Boden suggested a trip to Starbucks to finish off a mornings hard work. The next few days were early nights and ‘detox’ as we prepared to take on two days of action packed racing fuelled by the uncontrollable intake of Mint Julips. Both the Oaks and Derby left us all with many memories that will never be forgotten. Rags To Riches destroying her own sex and Street Sense following suit, provided some unforgettable moments.
The Derby, which is run on the first weekend in May, was to prove the prelude to our last few weeks before we all set off in different directions to commence our placements. The only thing between ourselves and what Jerome described as ‘holidays’ (he admits that he was slightly off the mark with that one), was a week of the much discussed stewards course. It is fair to say that the first few days were not too electrifying yet by the end of the week we had all learnt a huge amount about the topic and enjoyed a welcome BBQ and revision period with course director Wendy and the legend that is action man turned retired and inspired steward, Clinton Pitts. The stories of steeplechase falls and hold ups in Hong Kong left us all enthralled. We all envy the next group. Not only will they work closely with Street Sense in the breeding shed but also ‘Clinty’ will entertain them all for hours on end.
The penultimate day, before departing to different parts of the globe, was spent sitting the steward’s examination which included medication laws, general laws and other such rules and regulations regarding the day to day running of American racing.
After being together for a nine-month spell, interrupted only by a two-week vacation at Christmas, it was going to be strange to be split. The placements are possibly one of the most influential times of our period as Flying Start trainees. After long consultations with Joe Osborne and video-conference with both he and Clodagh, we were all set for travels. After a fight of sumo proportions between Junling and the Japanese authorities over his visa, both he and Dean ventured to land of the rising sun where highlights included the Japanese Derby and seeing Deep Impact, along with considerable servings of Sushi and Sakhee. Meanwhile Fabricio, Jerome and Sarah headed to Hollywood, California for sun, sand and stella trainers. Fabricio shadowed Richard Mandella, Jerome grafted for Neil Drysdale and Sarah drove fifty miles to Santa Anita, rode fifteen horses per day and loved every second of her time spent with Patrick Gallagher.
Back in Kentucky Andrew and Eden were placed with the Keeneland team. A team who have been most fantastic to all Flying Start groups who pass through Kentucky. We were no exception. Andrew and Eden looked at more yearlings than you dare imagine, whilst meeting some of the most influential figures in the game.
Liz spent time with some of the most excellent vets that the world has to offer. Dr.Hunt, Dr. Rathgaber and Eoin Harty were all people with whom Liz worked with over the six-week period. Trips to Churchill and Canada were top of the list of highlights. Bo also stayed in the ‘Bluegrass’ and had a riot with Dr Mark Cheney and his associates.
A mere fourteen hours drive north were myself, Brandon and Aunt Linda. Aunt Linda was a character that eleven of us had heard much of. Not only as the one of the best trainers in America who conditioned Lanes End sire City Zip, but more so as Brandon’s father’s sister. New York was going to be home for the three of us for the next six weeks. Living in Linda’s basement Brandon and I were a stone’s throw from Belmont Park. With Brandon in Todd Pletcher’s barn tending to the shed row filled with a mind-blowing number of Grade One horses, including the astonishing Rags To Riches, and myself interned with the perfectionist that is Christophe Clement, free time was at a minimum. However we were both able to see parts ‘the Big Apple’ and although sixteen-hour days were demanding we both settled into the way of life.
During the Keeneland meet, the entrepreneurial figure that is TDN’s Barry Weisbord invited us all to dinner where he announced that any one of us could spend our placements at the publications headquarters in Monmouth, New Jersey. With Jon Bon Jovi a local resident, it was a given that Gina would be the one to step forward. Gina spent time racing, reading and writing articles, which included her beloved South America, where she was assigned to report on the Argentinean racing carnival.
Upon our return to Kentucky and a reunion meal in Malone’s Steak House, it was agreed that the placements had been a raving success and one of the most influential parts of the course. Without exception, relationships were made that will stand us all in good stead in the future.
The Fasig Tipton yearling sales were a perfect place to cement some of these new contacts. Gina spent time with John Forbes (Tale of the Cat’s trainer), Dean with Headley Bell, Sarah with Bluewater Sales and Fiona Craig, Eden with Hartly Derenzo (The Green Monkey consignors), Andrew with Mike McMahon, Jerome with John Stuart, Junling with his companion Dick O’Gorman, Fabricio with B. Wayne Hughes, Liz with Buss Chace and myself with John Stephens (Vision Sales and Barbaro Fame) and Kenny McPeek.
Public speaking was our final project before we left for vacation. Keeneland provided a fitting venue for our concluding task as we spent had spent much of our time at the track at Eoin Harty’s and Johnny Burke’s barns, in the sales ground, interned on stewards courses and the unforgettable crawfish broil. With a debate format, teams decided the outcome using a system provided by SKO law firm that allowed the audience to vote; an educational and entertaining afternoon was enjoyed by all. The topics, which were all controversial to the breeding industry, were bantered over with much determination and desire. Our thanks go to all who attended and worked so hard to make the afternoon a success. Kenny Rice (NBC) was MC for the day, as well as sitting on the panel of judges completed by Kate McMahon (Darley Nominations), Byron Rogers (Taylor Made Farm) and Dan Rosenberg (Three Chimneys Farm). After a tear jerking moment when Dean thanked Tammy Masterson for mothering us through the American leg, we all retired to the bar. The highlight of the afternoon for the Flying Start was the presence of Mr. Clyde Rice. After many stories from Brandon about his grandfather’s partnership with D. Wayne Lukas and creating a racing dynasty, it was a great honour to meet him.
As the afternoon mixed into evening and plans of bull riding Saddle Ridge were firmly on the agenda, it was time to thank everyone who had made our stay in Kentucky such a memorable experience. It is known for being one of the most memorable legs of the Flying Start (as if there are any that are unmemorable) and with that, none of us can disagree.
Alex Elliott
Tammy with the boys.
Windswept Fabricio at the races. Larger image
'Elvis' and Eden. Larger image
Gina, Alex and Liz at Keeneland.
Alex washing down.
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Seeking the Gold in his paddock at Claibourne Farm.
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