By Cyn L

The ownership of Thoroughbred (TB) race horses is not for the meek and mild.  One starts off with dreams that the first horse purchased will put the owner in the winner’s circle right away.  In most cases, that does not happen.  The owner can get discouraged and quit right away.  After all, TB race horse ownership can be expensive at all levels of horses (from many thousands of dollars to millions).  Thus, money flows in for the purchase and upkeep; and the river of money may never flow back to the owner.  It is a sport that one has to simply love and be willing to wait for those special horses to come along.  Then the thrill is like none other. 

The first race horse I owned was foaled at my farm.  With full ownership, 100% of the bills for the care and training of this filly came my way.  She only raced a few times, and she did not do well on the track.  Perhaps the outcome would have been different if I knew more about racing and more about making wise decisions.  She was retired early to my farm, and I still enjoy her company today.

In October of 2014, I went to the first annual TOBA (Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association) Conference in Kentucky.  Robb Levinsky of Kenwood Racing was at that Conference, and he gave me his contact information.  I am scheduled to attend my fifth annual TOBA Conference in October 2018.

Many months after meeting Robb Levinsky, I contacted Kenwood Racing and sent them my check for co-ownership in Groups 24 and 25 on May 15, 2015.  I was looking forward to seeing my horses race, but this did not happen.  I was in Florida, and the two colts in Group 24 raced in New Jersey on September 16, 2015 (only four months after I sent my check).  They were both claimed the first time out.  Was I disappointed?  Absolutely is the answer to that question!  This is where racing is not for the meek and mild.  Claiming is part of the industry as is the fact that not all horses ever get to the winner’s circle and achieve any kind of glory. 

You would think that I would have quit there, but I have just become a co-owner of Group 44 in June of 2018.  I do not even know what two horses will be in the group, but I have come to realize that Kenwood Racing does try hard to select good horses at reasonable prices.  Obviously, there are no guarantees in this sport.

Some selections are better than others, and that brings me back to my co-ownership in Group 37 and Lisa Limon.  She gave me one of the best days of my life when she won her race on my birthday, and I was in the winner’s circle with Lisa Limon and my daughter.  I had placed a bet on her, and I was really delighted to find out that the odds of her winning were 35 to 1.  That was like putting the icing on my birthday cake! 

Fast forward and we come to the “bragging rights” to Lisa Limon and the extreme excitement in the racing industry.  I only own a small part of her, but I JUST LOVE HER.  She is a Scat Daddy filly, and I am in a totally joyous mood when I say that she has the same sire as Justify, the 13^th Triple Crown Winner!      

In closing, ownership in race horses is not for everyone; but it provides a huge amount of excitement for those who can be patient and wait for that special horse to come along.  Then it is “over-the-top excitement.”