Marching to the Winner’s Circle with West Point Thoroughbreds
January 17th, 2002by Craig Peretz
West Point Thoroughbreds’ Smokin John
NYRA Photo
I don’t know when I first realized that I loved horses. They have been a central part of my life for as long as I can remember. I guess that’s prone to happen when you grow up with Hall of Fame trainer Mackenzie Miller as your neighbor.
My father grew up and lived in Amsterdam, New York and I vividly remember making trips to visit family members in that bucolic setting when I was growing up. The annual treks we’d take from there to Saratoga are particularly memorable, as we saw some of the greatest horses of the 70’s and 80’s compete.
I loved them all — Personal Ensign, Go for Wand and the like – but I always paid particular attention to those horses trained by Mack Miller. I like to think that Mr. Miller recognized my love of horses when I was being raised in Garden City, and did what he could to foster that passion. I will never forget the stories that he used to share with me, especially those about my favorite horse, Sea Hero.
All children have a love and fondness for horses – I just didn’t grow out of mine. I have been a racing fan forever and as I progressed in my professional life, the idea of becoming a Thoroughbred owner intrigued me.
Certainly I knew racing from “the frontside” but I was eager to gain entrée to the backstretch, in order to further my knowledge and my involvement in this great game. So I began to research horse ownership using a variety of resources including the Internet and through organizations like the Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association (TOBA).
I was able to uncover several attractive opportunities, but I finally decided to partner with West Point Thoroughbreds. Founder Terry Finley and his staff are quite competent and professional. They have exposed me to all sides of racing and made me much more knowledgeable about our sport.
The enjoyment I have experienced since joining West Point Thoroughbreds is indescribable. My first victory as an owner came when End Sweep’s Girl, a filly that we claimed, won a stakes race at Laurel Park, in her first start for us.
Since then I have partnered in over 35 horses, including Smokin’ John who is named after my father. Imagine the joy and amazement we felt when Smokin’ John broke his maiden at Aqueduct earlier this year. It is an experience that my father and I will be able to share for the rest of our days!
In two short years, I have won graded stakes, had two colts race with distinction in Triple Crown prep races and hit the winners’ circle over 40 times. There is no way this would have happened if I had tried to organize and campaign my own stable of runners.
Partnerships such as West Point Thoroughbreds are a very attractive way to get involved as a Thoroughbred owner. They allow individuals the chance to experience all the thrills of racing affordably, while learning and expanding their stables as they go along. Although there is a premium paid for a partnership’s management and expertise, the services provided seem to be an excellent value and that makes sense to me.
Thoroughbred ownership has been a wonderful experience for me. I trust it can be for you as well – Even if you didn’t grow up with a Hall of Fame trainer for a neighbor.
Author Craig Peretz works in the financial services industry in Manhattan, New York.
