Our Reason For Existence
January 2nd, 2006by Jude T. Feld
The legendary Emperor in his union suit
“A fool and his money are soon parted.” – Thomas Tusser
Recently, a woman contacted me through Gay Fisher at the TOBA headquarters in Lexington, Kentucky. She was seeking advice because a licensed harness racing trainer in Florida had allegedly bilked her out of $50,000 by claiming a horse for her in his own name and then spirited off to Canada, with the animal in tow, never to be heard from again.
The woman had read some of my articles on thegreatestgame.com and thought I might be able to shed some light on her plight and offer a way to get her money back. Although she was sketchy with the details, I have no reason to believe that her story was untrue.
Since she was already pursuing all the legal angles, there was not much I could do for her. I wished her the best of luck and admonished her to join The Greatest Game program, if she ever was game enough to take a chance on Thoroughbred ownership after her horrid experience in the Standardbred business.
As unfortunate as it may be, these situations happen several times of year, in virtually every type of horse racing. They underline why The Greatest Game program is so important to neophyte owners and the reasons all the reputable folks in our industry should join the program and adhere to the code of ethics.
It has always amazed me that the same people who cringe at a two point shift in their stock portfolio, think nothing of handing some guy they meet in a bar, fifty grand to get them a horse, without the least bit of due diligence.
“A friend of mine recommended him,” the woman said of her trainer. “He said we’d really hit it off. The trainer seemed to know his stuff and he appeared to be a nice guy. He told me that I couldn’t claim a horse without a license, but that he would claim the horse in his name and then transfer it to me later. The paper work never got done.”
The woman was also told that the horsemen’s bookkeeper only took cash for claims, so she brought fifty large to the track and deposited them into her trainer’s account. He took the receipt – “He said he needed it for the paperwork.”
So with no paper trail, no check stub, no racing license, this gal is virtually persona non grata. Even the track stewards were unable to help her because there was no evidence whatsoever that any of this ever happened – her word against a guy now living in another country.
Please. Please. Please. If you are going to get in the horse business, join The Greatest Game, or at the very least, do your homework. Interview several trainers, study partneships’ agreements, talk to racing officials and discuss your possible choices with successful, established owners. People in racing love to talk about their sport. Most owners live and breathe horses every day. They will guide you.
Read the rule book. Every state has one.
Know the procedures to claim, to purchase at auction and the responsibilities of bloodstock agents and syndicate managers to their clients. You are essentially starting your own sports franchise. It is highly unlikely that you would buy the Washington Nationals if you didn’t know the rules of baseball. If you won’t shoot craps in Vegas because you don’t know how to play, why would you give somebody money for a horse without learning the game?
Be careful.
Thoroughbred racing has given me the chance to meet princes and presidents, actors and athletes and an overwhelming amount of marvelous and interesting people, but there are also scumbuckets and scallywags who hang around the track. Guys named “Doc” who aren’t veterinarians, gals at the bar in low-cut blouses and short skirts who want to introduce you to “my trainer,” and a few of the trainers themselves, who look at the horse business from a different point of view – get the owner before he gets you. They prey on the newbies who don’t know the ropes.
Use common sense.
You probably own a paper shredder to avoid identity theft, so don’t give somebody a blank check and an owner’s license application with your social security number on it without being absolutely positive they are reputable. Take the time to get your own license, make your own deposit at the paymaster’s office. You’ll meet the people who can make your life easier in the sport and be protecting yourself at the same time.
I’ve often said that Thoroughbred racing is the most fun you can have with your clothes on. Don’t be like the fabled Emperor, duped by charlatans and standing there stripped. Join The Greatest Game. You’ll be glad you did.ecentl
