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(Originally published in the July 14, 2012 issue of The Blood-Horse magazine. Feel free to share your own thoughts and opinions at the bottom of the column.) For a trainer such as Dale Romans, Mike Bruder is the perfect owner.“He’s smart, he knows the horses, and he knows the business,” Romans said succinctly of his client. “We’re always ...

Trainer Roger Attfield, who will be inducted into the National Museum of Racing’s Hall of Fame this year, was the guest on the latest edition of BloodHorse.com’s popular Talkin’ Horses podcast July 17. Mr. Attfield, a British native who has been based in Canada since the early 1970s, discusses some of his favorite horses and his views on ...

The following guest blog was written by I’ll Have Another’s owner Paul Reddam in response to some of the concerns of the public regarding the colt’s injury and retirement. On a personal note, Reddam has always been extremely conscientious when it comes to the public’s feelings and the passion they exhibit when it comes to horses and racing and he ...

In light of impressive victories by Game on Dude in the Hollywood Gold Cup (G1) and Mucho Macho Man in the Suburban Handicap (G1), I've updated my Breeders' Cup Classic rankings. With a second-place finish in last year's Classic and two powerhouse efforts since returning from Dubai, Game On Dude would be my morning ...

With two major stakes winners in the space of 10 days, champion turf horse English Channel (TrueNicks,SRO) has zoomed up the second season sire charts. First Strait of Dover took the near $1,000,000 Queen's Plate, the first leg of the Canadian Triple crown, and then Blueskiesnrainbows, who had already been third in the Santa Anita Derby (gr. I), ...

Imagine if Beethoven had retired after his Fourth Symphony. There would be no Fifth; no Ninth. Imagine if Hemingway had stopped writing after “The Sun Also Rises.” There would be no “Farewell to Arms;” no “For Whom the Bell Tolls;” no “The Old Man and the Sea.” Who knows what great accomplishments would have awaited I’ll Have Another, who now ...

 By Michele MacDonaldBeing the first or the only is nothing unusual for Dr. Harry Sweeney The Irish-born veterinarian from Dundalk admits he never imagined years ago that he would find both success and happiness in the faraway land of Japan. Shown with a Deep Sky filly from his JRHA sale consignmentPhoto: Michele MacDonaldFate and chance ...

His first introduction was made via a whiskered muzzle snuffling for peppermints, and by curious ears pricked at the hubbub outside Barn 20 at Belmont Park. There was 2009 Kentucky Derby winner Mine That Bird rolling off a Brookledge van, trainer Chip Woolley hobbling down the ramp on crutches, a media throng gathered to observe… ...

It doesn’t take much for me to rev up my built-in time machine and transport myself back to the late 1960s and early ‘70s and the halcyon days of Darby Dan Farm. In this case, the catalyst was the death this week of Loyd “Boo” Gentry, who trained the ill-fated phenom Graustark and 1967 Kentucky Derby winner Proud Clarion. Boo was the nephew ...

Today, I bring you the story of the up-and-coming off track Thoroughbred-turned show horse Constant Star, as told to me by Kimberly Clark: In December 2009, Constant Star was a 2-year-old filly who had two unplaced efforts at Charles Town and Laurel Park and meager earnings of $280. As the promise of having a successful career on the racetrack ...