Moe Williams: Rushing, Receiving and Now Racing

By: Michele Blanco (Director of Media Relations for Calder Race Course)

Fans of the National Football League know Moe Williams as a former running back who played for nine seasons with the Minnesota Vikings and one season with the Baltimore Ravens. Now fans of Thoroughbred horse racing recognize him as a winning trainer after he saddled Spangler’s Storm to victory in the ninth race at Calder on Thursday. It was Williams’ first winner as a trainer.

Williams wrapped up his NFL career in 2005. But for the last four years, he has also been learning the tenets of horsemanship in Indiantown, Florida where he bought a 50-acre farm, and named it Genuine Pleasure Farm.

“I’ve been studying under [trainer] John Nazareth, ‘Papa John,’ I call him,” said the 33-year-old Williams. “There are over 20 horses at the farm of all ages. John is still training there, but there are five that I personally train.” His name appears in the program as Maurece Williams.

“I’ve always been interested in horses,” Williams explained. “I am originally from Hopkinsville, near Lexington, Kentucky. I spent nearly my whole life in Kentucky and I really appreciate the beauty of horses.” Williams also attended the University of Kentucky prior to the 1996 NFL draft.

Williams recognizes the similarities between training a football-playing athlete and a Thoroughbred racehorse. “Getting them fit and treating them as individuals are very important. I’m fortunate to follow and learn from other trainers. I’m always listening and learning,” he said, but also indicated that he applies what he knows from being an athlete to his training practices. “It all goes back to being in shape.”

His football fans might be surprised to learn that Williams himself drives the horse trailer from Genuine Pleasure Farm to Calder Race Course in Miami Gardens. “I load the horses up in the trailer and pull them down. I’m happy to be the one to saddle them up, now, too.”

Williams has started six horses at the current meet. Aside from Spangler’s Storm, Williams has had a second place finisher this season. “It was awesome,” he said of the victory on Thursday. “I’m looking for the next race now.”

This entry was posted on Saturday, September 8th, 2007 at 11:42 pm and is filed under Featured Articles. Responses are currently closed, but you can trackback from your own site.