Fan Appreciation - by Susan Hayden Kennedy

re: Fan Appreciation - by Susan Hayden Kennedy

merrywriter — Sun, 10 May 2009 19:09:00 GMT

I wonder if the "wise guys" of racing have read your article. ALL OF IT IS TRUE! So I day, "Ditto."

BTW I don't want movies or publicity about poor Ruffian, I want movies about Mine That Bird type of horses (I pray he stay safe.), or even Secretariat and his groom. - All personalities.

re: Fan Appreciation - by Susan Hayden Kennedy

mark sipus — Thu, 30 Apr 2009 12:59:12 GMT

I was an exercise rider at Keeneland for seven years.My favorite thing was on Saturday mournings seeing the familys in the stands.I always tried to pick a nice horse so the kids could touch a racehorse.Every one needs to see the beauty in this sport.

re: Fan Appreciation - by Susan Hayden Kennedy

Kayte — Tue, 21 Apr 2009 03:11:40 GMT

At one time, I was a 'sometimer' too and probably still, not by choice but by the fact that it costs to go to racetracks. My first encounter was many many years ago, back when a horse named Thunder Gulch win some race called the Kentucky Derby. From that day on, I was hooked to sport of Thoroughbred racing, loved every race I could catch on TV. I have followed the Kentucky Derby and the other Triple Crown races since that day--I had seen Silver Charm win by a short margin, cried when I saw another favourite of mine, Charismatic, break down in the Belmont and marveled at the sheer talent and determination of countless other horses that have raced since that fateful afternoon when I watched my first Derby.

Thank you for this lovely article!

re: Fan Appreciation - by Susan Hayden Kennedy

Debbie In Virginia — Sun, 19 Apr 2009 17:48:13 GMT

Loved your article and enjoyed reading all the comments. I have been following horseracing for over 19 years, attended all three races in the Triple Crown one year, attended the Preakness for 15 years in a row and attended 10 Belmont races. From the first race I ever saw I was fascinated by the magnificence, power and beauty of the horses. I've been to many live races and there is nothing like the excitement and chill that you get when the horses parade to the starting gate, with their heads held high and know how great and competitive they want to be.

I do place bets but I am not in it for the gambling but for the love of the horses. Before every race I say to myself, I don't care about the win as long as no horse goes down. That is the sad and heartbreaking part we who love the horses do endure.

And to Denise, I hope Maryland can get straight and keep the Preakness as well. It isn't going to help that ESPN is not going to show the racecard for Preakness Day so those of us who now watch from our home, getting too old to wonder into the Infield will not be able to watch the full racecard. Maryland would do well to keep its great fans and keep the full card for the Preakness televised.

So thank you again Susan for letting others know that there are many fans who are so appreciative of the sport and hope your article will reach out and bring more fans in.

re: Fan Appreciation - by Susan Hayden Kennedy

Driftin Sage — Sun, 19 Apr 2009 15:53:53 GMT

Yes, yes, yes...more stories like this. I would love to read all about each and everyone that is involved with the horses...the back side stories...the personalities of them, all their stories of the beautiful animal with whom they work. Getting down to the nitty-gritty of it all. Just for an example...when Curlin went to Dubai, it was so interesting, too, to read about his "pony" horse...the big white one...bigger than Curlin. All of the things we fans don't get to see or hear about would create even more interest in the sport of racing. Just the statistics could be rather boring to those who are just browsing, but hearing more detailed things about the humans and horses involved could really create more of an interest in the whole world of horse racing. Real detailed biographies, so to speak, of the grooms, jockeys, trainers, owners, and an interesting story that may have happened in their life with a particular horse or barn incident would be so interesting that the fan would want more, read more, follow more closely, watch more races, etc. Thank you for this one and look forward to more of what I have suggested. Females seem to be more detailed, so go for it!

re: Fan Appreciation - by Susan Hayden Kennedy

Cassidy — Sun, 19 Apr 2009 01:52:55 GMT

Well written. I am a fan too although I rarely gamble. I subscribe to Bloodhorse and buy lots of pics and articles. Even have original newspaper clippings on Phar Lap (1930s).

re: Fan Appreciation - by Susan Hayden Kennedy

Fritzel — Sat, 18 Apr 2009 02:52:51 GMT

The racetrack people are interesting but the horses are what draw me to the sport. They have such varied personalities and quirks. I love hearing about them and often wish I were rich and could have one of my own!

re: Fan Appreciation - by Susan Hayden Kennedy

nyfalcon — Fri, 17 Apr 2009 20:24:54 GMT

bravo, its never been about gambling for me.

its the lure of the game , the horses the trainers , the fans . just thinking of a race that changed everything for you will bring tears to the eyes, it was like that for me the time rive ridge won, I was 8 it changed my life for the good. I decided to study bloodlines and become a horse lover. have been a fan 4 ever and will die a loyal fan as always. long may you run!!!

re: Fan Appreciation - by Susan Hayden Kennedy

Jo — Fri, 17 Apr 2009 15:25:56 GMT

I'm glad someone has finally mentioned this, acknowledged that there is a fan base of people who are here, who purchase the magazines, watch the races, buy the merchandise, because we love the personalities (human and equine) more than the gambling. When I was a little girl, my best friends and I (all horse smitten little girls) held our own Kentucky Derby party. We picked our favorite horse and we bet on him with peppermint candies. When we won, our joy came not from winning the pot of peppermints, but simply because our hero, a horse and connections we loved and admired, had won and, even better, survived the race. That tradition continues today, over twenty years later, with my own family...my own brood of horse smitten children. Every year we follow the ponies all year long, we pick our winning horse...and we cheer, not for the peppermint payoff, but for the horse and his people. When the horses are injured we openly sob. When they die, we mourn. We write letters to the people who loved them. The photos of our most beloved champions sit side by side with family. We love these horses and the good people connected to them. We donate what little extra money we have to welfare organizations. If we could be more involved we would be. We dream of saving up for the day when we can see the Derby in person...it's the one last thing I'd like to see before I die.

If only the industry would embrace the non-gambling fans as much as it did the revenue from gambling fans. If only they remembered how much these animals can unite a nation, a world, and reached out more to us...perhaps the sport wouldn't be as bruised in the public relations department as it is currently experiencing.

re: Fan Appreciation - by Susan Hayden Kennedy

Cathy H. — Thu, 16 Apr 2009 23:35:40 GMT

Excellent article, Susan. Those beautiful animals, talented jockeys, and the colorful pageantry draw me to the racetrack. Keep writing! We need more stories to stir interest in this sport. My dad and grandfather would be proud of you.

re: Fan Appreciation - by Susan Hayden Kennedy

Judy B — Thu, 16 Apr 2009 21:11:18 GMT

Racetrack characters and personalities were all I knew growing up, my dad was a jockey and later a trainer, my mom did lab work for the vets and she also had a trainers license and owned some horses. Every horse I've ever had a unique personality and I loved every one. I enjoy handicapping for fun but I very rarely bet because my only wish is that every horse and rider reaches the wire safely. You will never meet more colorful or more caring personalities than on the backside of the racetracks. Even though I am currently retired from training myself (I hope to get back to it someday) the racetrack will always be my home and the place where I spent the best days of my life. Racing is not a cruel sport, racehorses are the loved by their trainers and grooms and the horses love what they do. Those who oppose racing need only to spend a few days on the backside to realize how wonderful it really is.

re: Fan Appreciation - by Susan Hayden Kennedy

RachelSatterfield — Thu, 16 Apr 2009 19:01:55 GMT

Though I personally have been a racing fan since I was about 6 years old, I know someone in particular who used to know nothing about racing and didn't care to know, who now will ask me questions and go to the track with me all because of a little horse named Curlin and a little show called Jockeys.

He always claimed before these that he couldn't care about something if he didn't have anything to follow. He didn't like the insanely fast turnover rate of horse racing stars and didn't ever feel connected. Then Curlin came along (who I loved dearly). Because of my love for this horse and the fact that he stayed on the racing radar for more than a few months, this man decided to give it a chance. He was very disappointed when Curlin was retired this winter. The show Jockeys has been even more important. Before the show he didn't care even about the Triple Crown races. Now I show him a prep race and say "look at this amazing horse Joe Talamo is riding in the Derby this year," and he looks, asks questions, and finally appreciates. He has personalities to follow now that will be around for years to come. The horses in a way have become secondary, but seeing as they never mattered much to him to begin with, it's a vast improvement. This is how racing should market itself, you are right. Personalities, be it human or horse, is the way to gain new fans.

re: Fan Appreciation - by Susan Hayden Kennedy

Pat — Thu, 16 Apr 2009 17:33:13 GMT

Several years ago, while taking a college marketing course at the premier equine program in the country, the subject of highlighting jockeys to promote our sport was discussed.

The majority, (of which I was not one) thought that jockeys were shady, dull "pinheads" who should be kept far from the media.

In recent weeks while watching "Jockeys" I've snickered to myself and thought of that class discussion.

re: Fan Appreciation - by Susan Hayden Kennedy

Cheryl from Maryland — Thu, 16 Apr 2009 16:12:24 GMT

Ms. Kennedy,

This is so beautifully written. I've spent my life working on the backside of the racetrack and have always felt that it's there that people truly fall in love with racing.

My dad was always a racing fan, but it wasn't until he started spending some mornings at the barn where I worked that he decided to get involved in owning and breeding horses. My boss (and mentor), Mel Gross, was so welcoming. He always invited my family to come out to the barn any time or come and sit with him at the races. He often invited us to his home. He invited my whole family to Kentucky when he ran On The Sly in the Derby and to New York when he ran in some of the big races there. The people who worked for him were always very friendly and willing to take the time to talk to him about his horses. The people who owned the farm where we boarded our mare, Peter and Linda Green, and their staff, were also incredibly welcoming and accommodating. It's because of all of these people that he went from being a casual fan to really falling in love with racing.

After I became a trainer, he spent many mornings scrubbing feed tubs and water buckets (he never really wanted to handle the horses)and just shooting the breeze with the other people in the barn. We often brought friends and other family members out to the barn, which created at least a few more fans. Dad had the time of his life as an owner.

I've seen this same scenario played out so many times over the years in so many of the barns where I've worked. I so agree with you that racing needs to find a way for people to feel some connection to the participants, especially the horses, but also everyone involved with the horse, including the stable employees (they often get so little credit for the incredibly long hours they put in).

Slots and casinos are great for raising purses, but from what I've seen, they don't create new fans. I've been to both Delaware and Charles Town many times since they opened their slots parlors. Every time I've been to either one the slots parlors were full and the grandstand and clubhouse was all but empty. I used to think that if they got people into the track to play the slots they would eventually wander over to the track (out of curiosity, if nothing else). Unfortunately, that didn't seem to happen.

Racing has so many image problems (a lot of them well-deserved). But there are so many people who try to do it "right" and do not abuse or neglect their horses. It's a shame that the public does not get to hear their stories a little more often.

re: Fan Appreciation - by Susan Hayden Kennedy

Kenny G — Thu, 16 Apr 2009 04:36:50 GMT

I completely agree about showcasing the human personalities. Promoting racehorses is so tough considering how quick they retire. By highlighting jockeys and trainers, fans are able to root multiple times a day for their favorites. Even promoting the owners would add some interest, as many owners own other businesses that people are a part of or have an interest in. I believe it is all about giving people rooting interests in order to get their attention.

re: Fan Appreciation - by Susan Hayden Kennedy

joe — Wed, 15 Apr 2009 23:31:06 GMT

I just pulled out a VHS-I have a lot of 'em-and watched a clip of Today the morning after Afleet Alex's Preakness. The very deserving lemonade story (a big draw at the Belmont Stakes; I had two cups) was one aspect of the emotional coverage. Afleet Alex's incredible recovery from disaster to victory was in focus, also. I still think the color, the interest and the beauty is found in these unique, four legged creations.

re: Fan Appreciation - by Susan Hayden Kennedy

Robin — Wed, 15 Apr 2009 20:44:14 GMT

I've been a fan of racing since 1971. Have numerous books on the subject, pretty much know all the horses that have run in all those races. Sure,there have been many heartaches along the way. Too many breakdowns and premature retirements. Thank God Curlin raced into his 4th year injury free. Went to Claiborne farm last year, a trip that was planned ever since the Great Secretariat ran. The tour there was wonderful, our guide Tony couldn't have been any better!! I'm sure it's like that in other places. I for one know exactly where I'm gonna be on the first sat. in May. Glad to know that horse racing is alive and well in Kentucky, unlike our state Md. Hopefully, the Preakness will stay in Md, unless the lawmakers try to do something stupid. I personnaly know several trainers and jockeys, all of which are deeply concerned over the wellfare of their charges. Sure horse racing has it's glaumour side and dark side, but doesn't every sport? Horses are wonderful athletes and give their all everytime not asking for anything in return. Hopefully, I will see another Triple Crown winner in my lifetime. If not, at least I have the memories.

re: Fan Appreciation - by Susan Hayden Kennedy

Denise — Wed, 15 Apr 2009 18:18:01 GMT

Belles forever, you are so right. I saw Go For Wand go down at Belmont and had a hard time going back to the track.(but I did) It's things like that which make Racing a tough sport to love. The call is greater than the hurt, but isn't that what love is?

re: Fan Appreciation - by Susan Hayden Kennedy

Maria Michalak — Wed, 15 Apr 2009 15:34:11 GMT

I wouldn't be the huge fan of horse-racing I am today if it weren't for two people with big hearts and great personalities to go with their great horsemanship.

I know there's some great people in the industry, but, in my opinion, there's not half enough!

I wouldn't be the racing-crazy girl I am if it weren't for Larry and Cindy Jones. Larry and Cindy know what really matters, both on the track and off of it. If there were more people like them, more people who truly cared about all of it - the horses, the people, their family, their sport, their faith - the racing world would be a better place.

There's way too many people seeing only the dark side of horse racing. I wish more people could see what I've seen: the bright side of horse-racing.

The bright side that shines from people like Larry and Cindy Jones.

re: Fan Appreciation - by Susan Hayden Kennedy

txhorsefan — Wed, 15 Apr 2009 15:15:54 GMT

What an excellent story, Susan! In my opinion, you are absolutely on target regarding the need for more information about the horses and the colorful personalities of the people behind them. Like you and the other posters, I was the little girl who always wanted a horse and never truly outgrew her love for them, but due to life, set that part of myself aside to raise my family. In the late 90's I started to follow the triple crown trail once again, although sporadically until Smarty Jones and his connections hooked me completely and made me a devoted fan. Two years later my heart was taken by Barbaro, whose story pulled me in ever deeper. While it may be true that the handle is what keeps the tracks running, if there are stories to be told to pull the casual person to the track maybe they will learn how to place a bet, too, and even if they are not going to become a whale, they might come back if they have a good time. Racing needs to put more effort into this approach and I appreciate all the Bloodhorse is doing to promote the background information and provide the blogs. Thank you for sharing your story! And Happy Birthday to Connie - what a great gift!

re: Fan Appreciation - by Susan Hayden Kennedy

belles forever — Wed, 15 Apr 2009 00:57:22 GMT

i love the horses and i will really miss Larry Jones and all of his stable.i got caught up with the racing bug when our local horse smarty went and won the derby.i worked the backstretch when i was young and saw both wonderful and awful things happen..i turned away from it after ruffian died..but the call is stronger than the hurt..racing has many stars and the colorful humans that come along with the marvelous horses are quite marvelous themselves

re: Fan Appreciation - by Susan Hayden Kennedy

kaviakmals — Tue, 14 Apr 2009 19:55:44 GMT

BRILLIANT!! I am a new fan to the sport of horse racing, attracted by the beauty of the equine athletes and a fascination with the stories behind them and the people who build their lives around them. I was the little girl who always wanted a pony, but was never in the position to have one. You are absolutely on the nail when you state that it's personalities and not gambling opportunities that hook people like me. Promote your athletes and the people who race them and care for them (animal planet's new show Jockeys is an excellent example), and you'll see a rise in your fan base. Treat those fans well and continue giving them the STORIES they want to hear. Racing has made great strides in recent years in improving the lot of its central characters: the beautiful thoroughbreds who run on tracks around the country. Continue putting the horses first, and you'll see your fan base continue to grow.

re: Fan Appreciation - by Susan Hayden Kennedy

Connie — Tue, 14 Apr 2009 15:54:20 GMT

Hi Susan,

Not too many years ago I too was a "sometimer" watching the triple crown races when I had a chance. I had three of my own horses as a young girl but, then, college, work, marriage and children took over my life. Five years ago, my oldest son decided to enroll at the University of Kentucky in Lexington even though we lived in Western Wisconsin (he says he wanted to live somewhere warmer and always loved following their basketball program). In the March of his freshmen year I visited him and decided to go to Three Chimneys Farm and see Smarty Jones. Erika, the tour guide did a wonderful job educating the visitors about the various stallions they have and I became smitten with Point Given. After we saw a breeding featuring Yes It's True, one of the tour guest's asked who Erika thought might win the Kentucky Derby. She said she hoped it would be one of the two of Three Chimneys progeny to be entered in the Derby that year -

Point Determined or Barbaro. After that visit I vowed to watch

the Derby and cheer for those horses. I was thrilled when Barbaro won and followed the heartbreaking story of his injury in the Preakness. But, sad as it was, I feel that the story brought to light some wonderful people who are very dedicated to horses. I started really following the races

after that, and I'll admit I am now totally hooked. I'll travel to Lexington to watch my son graduate in May and will be going back to Three Chimneys to say hi to Smarty Jones and Point Given and by then, will hope to congratulate Sky Mesa for his son General Quarters win in the Kentucky Derby. This gal also, thinks horseracing is awesome and there are some really great people involved in the game. For my upcoming fiftieth birthday, I have promised myself an adopted thoroughbred so I can give back to the sport I so love.