Wednesday, June 1, 2022

George Bryant overcomes cancer to pursue training career

George Allan Bryant with one of his trainees

Perspective. It shifts throughout life, shaped by moments and experiences. In turn, the perspective gained from those experiences shapes your life. For George Allan Bryant, it was perspective that led him here: standing in the shedrow of his barn at Lone Star Park, where his name and initials hang on a sign on the barn’s exterior after years of dreaming of training racehorses.

While running his own training operation is new to Bryant, the racetrack certainly is not. His father, George Bryant, was a Quarter Horse jockey who later transitioned to training, so it was natural for Bryant to spend a vast amount of time at the track during his childhood. In the barns of the now defunct North Texas tracks Ross Downs and Trinity Meadows, Bryant helped his father out by cleaning stalls and walking hots, learning as his passion grew.

“I always knew I wanted to train, but for some reason, I didn’t want to compete against my dad,” Bryant said. “That’s why I waited until he was done.”


Instead, Bryant went on to be an off-and-on assistant for his dad, playing an integral role in the senior George Bryant’s racing operation. Bryant’s undeniable passion for racing led to various other roles and endeavors in the sport. In addition to a role as racing manager for ownership group HDT Allied Management, Bryant has served as a board member of the Texas Thoroughbred Association since 2017. He has also established himself as a well-respected handicapper and a proponent of the sport, especially through his podcast, Horse Racing Destination.


Bryant’s father retired from training in 2021, but it wasn’t just his retirement that prompted Bryant to finally take the leap to embark on his own training journey.


While out to dinner in late summer 2021, a sore on Bryant’s tongue that had bothered him for a year or two became suddenly unendurable. Encouraged by his girlfriend and friends, he had it checked out.


“I was told it was too soft to be cancer,” Bryant said in regards to his initial appointment to address the spot.


Unfortunately, testing proved otherwise. But even when the cancer was confirmed, he was originally told it was not terribly serious. 


While this grim news loomed, Bryant had recently received other big news—news of a happier, more exciting variety. He and his girlfriend, Solvin, were expecting a baby. The contrast of the two pieces of news could not have been more extreme, especially when Bryant soon received far more devastating news regarding his cancer diagnosis.


“Then they told me, if you don’t take care of this, you won’t be around for your son,” Bryant said. “It was stage four.”


That fall, Bryant underwent an intense 12-hour surgery, in which half of his tongue was removed. In turn, a section of his forearm was taken from his wrist to replace that half of his tongue. A total of 74 lymph nodes were also removed from his neck during surgery.


It was two days before Bryant woke up post-surgery, a week before he left the ICU, and another 10 days before he was able to return home—multiple drains from the surgery still intact. Then it was time for radiation.


Looking back at his seven weeks of radiation, spanning 30 rounds of treatment, Bryant can’t help but wince. The therapy itself was painful and uncomfortable, but the resulting side effects mark it as the most arduous point of Bryant’s journey. 


Bryant began radiation therapy in December, and around the holidays, he could not swallow as a result of the treatments. Unable to eat or drink for several days, he was admitted to the hospital, where a G-tube was inserted into his stomach to deliver nutrition directly.


The uphill battle only continued. Bryant became ill in January and though his final round of radiation was completed on January 28, an onslaught of side effects still awaited him. He lost the hair on the back of his head, lost his beard, and had holes burned in his mouth. But it was the constant draining of “slime” that brought Bryant misery. He could only sleep for three to four hours at a time, unable to lay back without feeling like he was drowning in it.


“I remember telling my girlfriend that I didn’t know if this was worth it,” Bryant said. “That was the darkest time.”


But his passion for horse racing pulled him out of the darkness. He’d sit in his leather chair, turn on horse racing, and watch the races all day. The passion never left him. As he sat in that chair, the perspective gained from his cancer journey reminded him of the dreams he still had a chance to chase.


He was soon declared cancer free.


In late February, Bryant drove to Sam Houston Race Park and took the trainer’s test. He passed, and posted the news to Twitter, where he had gained quite the following not only through his cancer journey, but through his podcast and undeniable passion and skill for the game. As a result, a handful of followers prepared to send him horses.


Bryant had faced the uphill battle of a lifetime, but now, at long last, he faced an upward trajectory. By the beginning of April, he had horses on the backside of Lone Star. And on April 27, one day before opening day of his home track, Bryant and his girlfriend Solvin welcomed their son into the world. Once again, light shone at the end of what had once been a dark tunnel. And even here, Bryant’s passion was reflected: his son was named River Derby Bryant.


Less than three weeks later, Bryant saddled his first-ever runner as a trainer. Rancho Bargo, who he’d claimed weeks prior for Stephen Thompson, finished fifth in a starter at Lone Star. The next day, Bryant sent out Moro Mafia for another one of his earliest supporting clients, Wes Melcher. The 2-year-old filly finished a respectable fifth among a field of first-time starters as the longest spot on the board. With eight weeks of the Lone Star meet remaining, Bryant has his eyes on the winner’s circle.


Now, at the beginning of June, six horses are stalled in Bryant’s portion of a shedrow on the Lone Star Park backside. His initials and name on a large, navy sign on the building’s exterior announce who proudly trains this string of Thoroughbreds. A large whiteboard donning the set list hangs aboard the door to his tack room and office, where burn pads, saddle cloths, and blinkers boast the same initials: GAB. The barn has every mark of a well-thought-out training operation.


In the corner of that tack room and office sits a leather chair. The same chair where Bryant spent the darkest moments of his life, finding motivation in dreaming of what is now reality.


“I’m really doing this,” Bryant said as he looked out over his six Thoroughbreds resting in their stalls. “I have a full-blown operation. I love this game.”


The chair.


Tuesday, November 12, 2019

An Open Letter to the Industry I Love


I was only 8 years old when I fell in love with horse racing. I’d been a horse lover my entire life, born into a family with horses—a family with a tradition of watching the Kentucky Derby every year. The pre-race coverage of the 2004 Run for the Roses told the story of Smarty Jones, which enthralled me to the point I was inches from the television screen, jumping up and down, as the chestnut colt powered through the mud to win the Derby. That’s all it took. I was hooked.

I never could’ve imagined that 15 years later I’d be standing in the win photo of a Breeders’ Cup winner I’d worked with, Sharing. I’d spent hours at the end of her shank and countless moments at her stall, giving her affection and teaching her the wonders of peppermints and carrots. I left Santa Anita on a cloud far above cloud nine that day, overwhelmed with pride for a filly I loved so dearly and the team of horsemen and women surrounding her that I loved just as much.

Little did I know, just over 24 hours later, I’d be leaving Santa Anita with a dark cloud hanging over me. A cloud filled with sadness for Mongolian Groom, and with doubt for a future in an industry that’s been my life since I was 8 years old.

Unfortunately, that wasn’t the first time I’d felt so somber and uncertain about the industry—so much so that I doubted not only my own future in it, but its future altogether. I always considered myself so lucky to have found my passion at such a young age, but over the past year, I haven’t felt so fortunate.

It isn’t solely because of the anti-racing activists, politicians, and other parties who are fighting to end racing that I am forced to question a future in racing. It’s also the industry itself. As much as I love this industry and so many of the people of it, it has proven to be one that is resistant to change—entirely too resistant. And without change for the good – a lot of it, and as soon as possible – this industry will continue down this rocky path that could be headed for a cliff.

I’ve spent most aspects of my life since I was 8 years old working toward a career in racing, but over the past year, I’ve reconsidered my pursuit of a career in racing for the first time since elementary school. While I fully realize and admit that my experience in this industry as a 23-year-old pales in comparison to those who have been in it for decades, there are several glaring issues that I believe need to be acted upon quickly. So, as a young person who has always envisioned this industry as her future, I ask the industry leaders these questions:

Who exactly are our industry leaders?

We have our boards, committees, top owners, leading breeders, and elite horsemen. But who are the actual leaders in this industry? Why is there no governing body or league?

Most aspects of the industry are regulated at a state level. Compare this to other professional sports such as football, baseball, basketball, and hockey—all regulated by their own national leagues.

How can this industry implement dynamic change when rules vary between states? These discrepancies provide our horses with no uniform protection and our horsemen with no uniform rules and regulations to follow.

The Horseracing Integrity Act of 2019 (H.R. 1754) would achieve this to an extent, and on a front that is one of racing’s most crucial issues: drugs. The bill would establish a horse racing anti-doping authority (HADA), a private anti-doping entity that would regulate medication on a uniform basis under the United States Anti-Doping Agency (USADA). While not a nationwide governing body for horse racing, this would at least establish uniform medication rules so that they no longer differ from state to state.
  
This would be a huge step in the right direction, but there remain other issues on this scale. Because racing has no true leadership, we have no real spokespersons to represent our industry in the face of industry issues that reach the general public, and to get out in front of those issues. Instead, we have statements from various entities—and sometimes not even those. Because of this, oftentimes the best the industry can often come up with is the “we love our horses” argument—one of which the public is not going to be convinced if the industry does not enforce change for the better. We cannot rely on this feel-good public relations effort; it isn’t working. We need to change.

Are we breeding durable horses?

When did “breeding to race” and “breeding to sell” become two different goals? Shouldn’t they be the same thing? This sport is called horse racing, after all.

I have massive respect for the bloodstock side of the industry, and have spent quite a bit of time in that aspect of the Thoroughbred world. However, what has been a significant argument for the popularity of racing could very well also be affecting the durability of the Thoroughbred: horses are making fewer starts. Though not always the case, these stunted careers are often a result of soundness issues. Regardless, more money awaits in the breeding shed and sales ring—a major catalyst in the short careers we so often see of today’s racehorses.

Because the sales are an incredibly important part of the industry, they assume major responsibility of our horses, as well. Earlier this year, America’s top auction houses banned the use of off-label bisphosphonates—certainly a step in the right direction. But what about surgeries performed to alter young horses’ limbs in order to artificially enhance their appearance? What about masking irregularities? Buyers should be able to be confident that they are purchasing horses that will be sound athletes.

Just how durable and sound are the horses we’re breeding if we’re mating horses with few races under their belt and known soundness issues? How sound are the horses we’re sending to the track if their physical preparation for the sales has been more focused on “looking commercial” than crafting an athlete?

Are our “best practices” doing enough to ensure the safety of our horses?

The tragically significant increase in deaths of racehorses this year at Santa Anita has certainly led to an increase in safety protocols and their improvement—and not just at that particular racetrack. But are they enough?

Are the pre-race exams performed by state veterinarians meticulous enough to detect issues that would deem a race day scratch? Some states don’t even require race day examinations of all horses by the state vet. . . Yet again, racing’s lack of uniformity is compromising the insurance of our horses’ safety.

Are we confident that our track surfaces are safe enough? Is a return to synthetic surfaces the answer?

Are we making enough change on the medication front?

The medication debate in racing is never-ending. Whether it be discussions over Lasix, bisphosphonates, horsemen with bad reputations and long rap lists, and the discrepancies in drug testing and investigations, medication is a constant issue in the horse racing industry—and one relevant to each of the questions raised above.

This is a matter greatly affected by racing’s lack of uniformity; medication rules vary state to state. Again, this is all the more reason to support the Horseracing Integrity Act.

In addition to that, it can be argued that reliance on various medications is affecting the durability of the breed. And medication absolutely plays a factor in the safety of the sport. Beyond that, our medication issues are among the biggest factors giving the sport a black eye in the public’s view.

How can we improve aftercare?

I’ll admit that this is an area in which the industry has made huge strides, but, of course, there is always room for improvement. The Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance and the various organizations accredited by that nonprofit do an outstanding job of improving the aftercare of ex-racehorses, and organizations and events like the Retired Racehorse Project have made their mark by making off-the-track Thoroughbreds more marketable.

On an individual basis, many trainers and owners leave notes on the papers of horses that pass through their hands that provide contact information should those horses ever need help finding a home when their career is over. Efforts of this variety from horsemen are what the industry needs more of in order to further insure that the equine athletes that give so much to us land in a good spot following their racing careers. How can we encourage more horsemen to contribute to the safekeeping of our horses post-career?

I don’t have the answers, and I’m fully aware that an abundance of other issues exist in this industry—ranging from how we are marketing the sport, how we are taking care of our handicappers, you name it. But this is about the horse. Without the horses, there is no industry. And as far as a generous portion of the general public is concerned, if racing continues down the path it is on, there is no industry. 

The Jockey Club’s “Vision 2025” and its support of the Horseracing Integrity Act (H.R. 1754) are exactly the kind of causes this industry needs to rally behind. Rather than being reactive, this industry needs to be aggressive about implementing change. 

These answers and these issues are worth addressing. I’m in this for the horse. We should all be in this for the horse. And our horses deserve better.


x

Saturday, June 16, 2018

HRN: Through the lens: Scenes from Justify's Triple Crown triumph

Each time I post a new article on my Horse Racing Nation blog, I post a notice on this blogThese notices include an excerpt from the beginning of that article and a link to the piece. My latest Horse Racing Nation article is. . .

Through the lens: Scenes from Justify's Triple Crown triumph


"There is a certain air of electricity at Belmont Park when a Triple Crown is on the line. Suspense builds throughout the day like the plot of an action movie as the Belmont Stakes approaches. Throngs of fans fill the vast grandstand apron, many of them donning some sort of support for the horse making a bid for racing’s most illustrious prize.

It was only three years ago when American Pharoah rocked not only the racing world, but the sports world, when he ended the longest drought in Triple Crown history by becoming the first horse in 37 years to sweep the series. But recency could not diminish the allure of the potential of a history-making moment.

This year, all eyes were on yet another charge from the hair of the white-haired wizard Bob Baffert in a robust, eye-catching chestnut colt named Justify. Although the colt owned by a conglomerate of owners (WinStar Farm, China Horse Club, Head of Plains Partners LLC, and Starlight Racing) had no enduring drought to end, he still had a magnitude of history to make. . ."

Click here to read the rest of my newest Horse Racing Nation article.

Wednesday, April 18, 2018

Through the lens: Scenes from Keeneland's spring meet

Each time I post a new article on my Horse Racing Nation blog, I post a notice on this blogThese notices include an excerpt from the beginning of that article and a link to the piece. My latest Horse Racing Nation article is. . .

Through the lens: Scenes from Keeneland's spring meet


"Mother Nature has kept the state of Kentucky on its toes this year. Just when spring appears to finally be flourishing, wintry weather strikes again, leaving the Bluegrass State wondering if winter will ever leave. Kentucky weather is notorious for being unpredictable and temperamental; it’s difficult to know what it will throw at you.

But one thing is certain about spring in Kentucky: a wonderful time at Keeneland spent watching excellent racing. . ."

Click here to read the rest of my newest Horse Racing Nation article.

Friday, February 9, 2018

HRN: A Texan's plea to save horse racing in her home state

Each time I post a new article on my Horse Racing Nation blog, I post a notice on this blogThese notices include an excerpt from the beginning of that article and a link to the piece. My latest Horse Racing Nation article is. . .

A Texan's plea to save horse racing in her home state


"This is an actual letter (excluding a bit of personal information) I recently sent to various members of the Texas legislature regarding the current state of the Texas horse racing industry.

My name is Mary Cage. I am a senior at the University of North Texas in Denton, where I am enrolled in the nationally accredited Mayborn School of Journalism while concentrating in advertising and minoring in marketing. But my true passion lies in horse racing.

Do you know how sad it has been to grow up in Texas with a passion for horse racing? To be that horse-crazy little girl with dreams as big as the Texas sky, only to have to rein in those dreams because my very own home state has prevented me from pursuing those dreams as fervently as I should? Can you imagine your own children discovering their passion at age eight, only to realize as they grow older that where they live will put limitations on that passion and their dreams?

Well, that’s how I feel.
 . ."
Click here to read the rest of my newest Horse Racing Nation article.

Tuesday, October 10, 2017

HRN: Photos from beautiful Keeneland's opening weekend

Each time I post a new article on my Horse Racing Nation blog, I post a notice on this blogThese notices include an excerpt from the beginning of that article and a link to the piece. My latest Horse Racing Nation article is. . .

Photos from beautiful Keeneland's opening weekend


"Although it is not my home state, Kentucky has always felt like it, particularly the Lexington area. The rolling green hills lined with wooden fences. The fields dotted with Thoroughbreds grazing and frolicking. The sign of the horse everywhere  on street signs, in ads downtown, in road names.

But one place in particular truly feels like home: Keeneland.

Nestled on the outskirts of Lexington, bordered by Blue Grass Airport and the historic Calumet Farm, and overlooking beautiful Kentucky scenery, Keeneland is certainly in the heart of horse country. Each year – for three weeks in the spring, and three weeks in the fall – thousands of race fans enter the gates surrounded by Keeneland’s idyllic ivy-walled stone walls to witness some of the nation’s highest quality racing. . ."

Click here to read the rest of my newest Horse Racing Nation article.

Thursday, August 17, 2017

HRN: My First Trip to Saratoga: A Photo Essay

Each time I post a new article on my Horse Racing Nation blog, I post a notice on this blogThese notices include an excerpt from the beginning of that article and a link to the piece. My latest Horse Racing Nation article is. . .

My First Trip to Saratoga: A Photo Essay


"Every racing enthusiast has a list of racetracks they hope to make it someday. As far as North American tracks go, there is probably one track that likely frequents these lists more so than others: Saratoga Race Course.

This certainly applied to me. I can name off a multitude of other tracks I would love to attend, but Saratoga seems to be one of the tracks that has eluded me. Since 1863, Saratoga has contributed some of racing's most colorful stories to the history books of the Thoroughbred. Year after year, it is the meet that attracts the attention of everyone in the industry, hosting some of the nation's most successful and promising racehorses.


But I thought it would be years before I ever made it to Saratoga. However, something fell together this summer for me to be able to make my first trip to Saratoga Springs, New York. In large part thanks to Horse Racing Nation's own Brian Zipse, I was invited to join the Young Racing Photographers Panel at Equestricon - the first-ever horse racing convention, held this summer in Saratoga Springs. In a whirlwind of events, I found myself in upstate New York to attend not only racing's most illustrious track, but its very first celebration and fan festival.


While Equestricon took up most of my time since I was only there for a few days, I was certain to spend some time at the track in the mornings - although I never got to attend a Saratoga sunrise like I've always dreamed of (maybe another trip!) - and of course go to the races.


Upon my first morning visit to the track, I was instantly blown away by the size and beauty of Saratoga, as well as the mass of people there - even in the morning. It was clear that horse racing is the culture in Saratoga Springs. In awe, I watched morning training with my camera in hand to catch the scenes. After all, it had not sunk in that I was actually at Saratoga; I would need these photos to capture the memories. . ."

Click here to read the rest of my newest Horse Racing Nation article.