Letter to the Editor: Mike Stinson

[Wandering Eyes]

I thought your recent interview with Doug O’Neill about his view of California racing was really insightful. While I don’t personally know Doug, I’ve followed his very impressive career for years. His body of work, including two [GI Kentucky] Derby winners, speaks for itself.

You heard from Doug the trainer’s perspective, let me sound the alarm from that of an owner.

I’m a small owner and have been involved in Thoroughbred racing for over 45 years. I’m a Texan and for many years ran mostly in the southwest. I also participated in several racing partnerships with most of those horses running back east.

A few years ago, the opportunity of a lifetime came my way when I was able to engage the services of the extraordinary bloodstock expert Tom McGreevy. I had long admired his remarkable record of selecting young horses that went on to become superstars.

Tom and I sent about half of our 2-year-olds each year to California and half to the east coast. Hall of Fame trainer Jerry Hollendorfer has trained our horses in California. We’ve been fortunate enough to have a colt (Dueling {Violence}) last year in the [GI] Breeders Cup Juvenile and a 3-year-old colt (King Jack {Jimmy Creed}) who won the GII Gallant Bob this year at Parx.

As all race fans, I have always loved California racing. How does it get any better than running at Santa Anita and Del Mar? The weather, the atmosphere, the people. It’s just what racing should be all about. And the commitment Dr. Allred has made at Los Alamitos after the Hollywood Park closing has really been just terrific.

Fast forward to 2019. What a disaster. Doug O’Neill very artfully described the current situation in California. It’s been the elephant in the room no one wants to talk about. The industry is on life support. Mass exodus of trainers like Doug and dozens of horses. Many leaving, never to return.

My experience in California has been so unpleasant that not only are the eight to 10 horses that I’ve had in training there leaving, but I’ve told Tom that I have no interest in purchasing new horses. It’s pretty sad that a dream of working with someone like Tom McGreevy is unfulfilled.

We can only hope that the decision makers will honestly acknowledge how dreadful and toxic the environment really is. The clock is ticking.

 

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