Jim Squires Podcast - Listen Now!

re: Jim Squires Podcast - Listen Now!

Doug — Thu, 10 Sep 2009 22:47:03 GMT

I haven't been able to find Jim's book yet, so my questions may be answered in the book. What I am wondering is whether anyone has attempted to develop a specific plan for the nationwide regulation of the racing industry as Jim advocates. The idea of giving a person (czar) or group of persons that kind of control will always be viewed as a threat to pretty much everyone, unless embodied in a plan that includes the scope of authority and the mechanism for implementation and conbtrolling the regulators. Jim references the major sports leagues and their commissioners. Those commissioners serve at the pleasure of a majority (or perhaps super-majority) of the franchise owners, a very small and well identified group. What group would that be in horse racinng?

I'm not knocking what Jim is advocating, just pointing out that until something specific is developed and presented, fear will assure that little is going to be accomplished. Hopefully, when I read Jim's book I'll see a specific plan. If not, I suggest he and others who espouse national regulation develop and present a plan. Perhaps then the concept won't be viewed by the stakeholders as such a threat. That may be naive, but we can hope.

re: Jim Squires Podcast - Listen Now!

Scott Raymond — Thu, 03 Sep 2009 21:26:50 GMT

It was tough to find this book as I was in Lexington when it first came out and many booksellers were sold out. When I finally got a hold of it I read it in under 36 hours (sleeping got in the way, otherwise I could have read it in 24 hours). Could not put this book down. Loved it! Makes me dream of trying to breed and raise a drug free horse. Great insight into people like Arthur Hancock. Squires hits all the issues with horse racing today. Issues that no one wants to confront. But does it as someone that loves the sport and wants to see it thrive. One of the best books I have ever read on horse racing! Thank you Jim Squires.

re: Jim Squires Podcast - Listen Now!

Tamara Grashian — Wed, 02 Sep 2009 06:47:06 GMT

Bought the book in La Jolla while visiting old Del Mar. It was one of the best reads for me in years. As an advid fan of horse racing I lauged and cryed for the sport I love so. I always believed in Larry Jones and the book proved my beliefs are real and I tend to admire the true people of the industry. Loved being introduced to Mr. Squires for the first time and will always be a super fan! Keep up the good work and when I make it out to Kentucky horse country. I will be looking up the "dominant female" for a tour of my favorite horses.

re: Jim Squires Podcast - Listen Now!

da3hoss — Thu, 27 Aug 2009 20:47:20 GMT

You're a champion for the sport...great interview.

I've bred Police/Narcotic/Bomb/Search K-9's since 1986. The founder of my breed put it perfectly when he said: "The dog (feel free to insert 'horse') bred as a business is no longer bred for his service (to the breed) but for his market value. The direction of the breed is then dictated by the desires of the market, usually novices...who knows nor usually cares nothing of the weals and woes of the breed, knows nothing of the values or its aptitude(s) but only for "imposing" and "flashy".

I almost became an owner a few years ago...could not believe there was no transparency in the chain of ownership, medical records, trainers, etc..no way was I spending that much money on something I couldn't begin to monitor or control...

There's something inherently sick in an industry when the two-year olds in training sales horses have to go to the farm to "recover" from the sale...just sick.

PS I put a typo in this post, just for the critics..

re: Jim Squires Podcast - Listen Now!

Ranagulzion — Mon, 24 Aug 2009 18:52:36 GMT

Keep up the good work Mr Squires. You are definitely one who turns on the light instead of cursing the darkness. There is hope for thoroughbred racing with people like you involved.

re: Jim Squires Podcast - Listen Now!

DonW — Sat, 22 Aug 2009 18:02:34 GMT

Jim, you have done the thoroughbred industry a service by exposing it for all to see. There is no question that most outsiders have believed that the horse business is full of unsavory characters: Look at the original owners of Curlin who were in jail at the time of the Breeders Cup and yet were still allowed as owners. It is sad that this has extended to many others in the industry, even veterinarians. One thing that forever amuses me about thoroughbred breeding is that it carries on as if there was no science of genetics done in the past two centuries. In other horse breeds, and in other farm animals, there is extensive applied genetics, including DNA markers, etc., as well as artificial insemination to try to improve the breed. And it works. Yet the "hay, oats and water" approach to thoroughbred breeding persists, most likely to keep the mystery there and to secure a market for "breeding the best to the best and hoping for the best". Sure, the genes that determine racing ability are complex, but so are the genes that determine wheat yield, cow milk production, pig weight, etc. And there is a lot of information on the latter, but, because of the breeding industry, almost nothing on the former.

re: Jim Squires Podcast - Listen Now!

Don McDougall — Fri, 21 Aug 2009 17:49:45 GMT

Governments tax much of the industry. Large taxes on bets, and sale and real estate taxes on horses an farms. These seem not to be going down as the industry declines. It seems to me, living in Maryland, that if the industry improves significantly, Governments are likely to RAISE taxes on the industry. Otherwise, Government does little of much good. In Maryland, it seems the state legislature and executive are completely incapable of assisting the state horse industry. Why should someone with a few acres in Maryland buy a few mares and get into breeding anything? I am frankly very discouraged by the industry: the drugs, Government ineptitude, taxes, cheating. This podcast was good and I plan to get Mr. Squires' book.

re: Jim Squires Podcast - Listen Now!

Kay — Fri, 21 Aug 2009 17:35:46 GMT

Listened to Jim Squires podcast and found it very interesting. I admire Mr. Squires for a number of reasons, but his ability to rationally discuss the problems facing the Thoroughbred industry without being vitriolic is most welcome. I can't say I have high hopes for substantive changes (memories being so fleeting and money always trumping)....but applaud you, Mr. Squires for staying the course and "walking the walk". Much luck!

re: Jim Squires Podcast - Listen Now!

Blood-Horse Staff — Thu, 20 Aug 2009 18:09:31 GMT

Allez - It is possible that you may need to clear your cache.

In Firefox, go to Tools/Clear Private Data/select "Cache" (you may want to deselect anything else, if you don't want to lose saved passwords, etc), then "Clear Private Data Now."

In IE, go to Tools/Internet Options. From the General tab, chose "Delete" under Browsing history, then select the "Delete files" button next to "Temporary Internet files."

re: Jim Squires Podcast - Listen Now!

allez — Thu, 20 Aug 2009 16:27:34 GMT

I'm looking forward to hearing Jim Squire's interview, but Jim's page is displaying Wesley Ward's podcast.