No Fans, No Sport

Horse racing used to be an extremely popular sport nationwide. Gigantic crowds graced the racetracks and fans tuned into the radio to listen to major races. Now, extremely large crowds are often only at the most prestigious races: the Triple Crown races and the Breeders’ Cup. The Kentucky Derby is the only race many people I know are familiar with. Only a few people I know that are outside the realm of horses have heard of the Preakness, Belmont, and the Breeders’ Cup.  They definitely don’t know the Santa Anita Handicap (GI), the Stephen Foster Handicap (GI), the Jockey Club Gold Cup (GI), or any other race for that matter. They know the names of Secretariat and Seabiscuit because of the movies and they might possibly know who Zenyatta is. As someone who is absolutely enthralled by horse racing, I get a sinking feeling when I realize how many people don’t know about the wonderful sport.

Photo: Terri Cage

Of course, horses like Barbaro, Funny Cide, Rachel Alexandra, Smarty Jones, and Zenyatta have together attracted thousands of new fans to the sport, but horse racing still lacks many fans. With less people attending the races, handle slides. When handle slides, the sport slides.

We need fans. Obviously, we have diehard fans and fans that are becoming fascinated by the sport. It’s those fans that need to inform others about horse racing.

The first direction those fans should go in is toward horse lovers and sports fans. Most horse lovers will be drawn to the sport because of the beautiful animals that strive to cross the wire first. Many sports lovers will be interested in horse racing for its competitiveness and the fact that it is a sport.

Current fans should let their friends know about the great sport. As someone whose life is becoming more and more revolved around horse racing, I don’t want to see the sport fall off the map. It is fans like you and me that need to get the word out there about horse racing.

Fortunately, more and more races are becoming available to watch on networks other than TVG and HRTV. Of course, in the past, we saw several races other than just the Triple Crown and Breeders’ Cup races broadcast on channels such as NBC, ABC, and ESPN. However, in the last few years, that was not the case. In 2011, however, Versus – which will now be called NBC Sports Network – showed many prestigious races such as the Jim Dandy Stakes (GII), the Whitney Handicap (GI), the Woodward Stakes (GI), and several of Keeneland’s renowned fall meet races. NBC and ABC also broadcast additional respected races such as the Coaching Club American Oaks (GI), the Haskell Inviational Stakes (GI), the Alabama Stakes (GI), and the Travers Stakes (GI). ESPN aired extra races as well, such as the Hollywood Gold Cup (GI) on its main channel and several Santa Anita Breeders’ Cup prep races on ESPN Classic.

Also, those that work in the racing industry should work to attract fans. We cannot just rely on certain connections, such as Team Zenyatta, that allow fans to get up close and personal with their horses. Racetracks and the entire business should allow that. For instance, Lone Star Park has an event called Jockeys & Java on several Saturday mornings during their Thoroughbred meet, which allows fans to watch workouts while workers in the industry - usually jockeys - are interviewed before visiting a barn on the backside. WinStar Farm has created WinStar Stablemates, which gives fans an incredible inside look into racing. Events and organizations like these help attract many new fans.

Obviously, just the regular racing fan can’t change what media and industry workers are doing for horse racing. But ‘just the regular racing fan’ can definitely do their part. Invite a friend that has never been to the races to go with you to the racetrack, share links to stories about horse racing on your Facebook and other social networking accounts, encourage your friends to watch races such as the Haskell or the Travers when they are broadcast on ABC or NBC, and most of all, continue being enthusiastic about the Sport of Kings.

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An Interview with Alex Brown

Lights on Broadway at
Remember Me Rescue
Photo: Terri Cage

While working on my "Inspired by Lights" story for Esther Marr’s blog on bloodhorse.com, Beyond the Blinkers, I contacted Alex Brown for some information on how he was involved in the rescue of Lights on Broadway. I had known of Alex for quite some time because of his work with the Fans of Barbaro, but I did not know the story behind his work within the racing business and the rescue of racehorses. When he suggested that I do a blog post/interview with him to raise money for Remember Me Rescue, I was able to learn that story while helping raise money for an organization that is very dear to my heart.

For any orders via http://alexbrownracing.com/ that mention Remember Me Rescue, my website (Past the Grandstand or http://pastthegrandstand.blogspot.com/), or Lights on Broadway, Alex Brown will donate $10 per book (Greatness and Goodness: Barbaro and His Legacy) to Remember Me Rescue. How generous of him!

About Alex Brown (in his own words): A forty-something horseman, who has also had a career at Universities.  Originally from Cheshire in the U.K., I came to the United States in 1987 to work for trainer Michael Dickinson.  I have been in the Fair Hill area ever since.

PtG (Past the Grandstand): When did you first get involved in the racing business and why?

Alex: I grew up around horses in England.  Pony clubbing, hunting, showing and so forth.  I started riding point to points (amateur steeplechases) as soon as I could, and worked for trainers Mercy Rimell and Richard Whitaker while still in England and going to college in Leeds.  I have always had a passion for horses and horse racing seemed a great way to pursue that passion.

PtG: What is your relationship with horses like?

Alex: For the most part, I think very good.  I get along with horses; sometimes it is easier than with people!  Horses have no agenda; they are very straightforward and willing.  Obviously there is the odd horse you don't get along with, but I have been lucky to get along with most. 

PtG: What are some of the best experiences you’ve had in racing?

Alex: Leading up a winner at Cheltenham (England).  It was not at the Festival, but the New Year's meet.  My horse, Rorqual, was the 33-1 outsider, but he won easily, beating some very good two-mile chasers. [Also], watching Salty Langfuhn winning at Woodbine.  He is my favorite horse, always tried hard, and was good enough to win some very tough races. 

PtG: This interview will mostly be focusing on racehorse rescue, particularly the rescue of Lights on Broadway, but many people know you for your book, Greatness and Goodness: Barbaro and His Legacy. What inspired you to write that book?

Alex: I was fortunate to know Barbaro, see him train, and visit him when he was at New Bolton Center.  I managed a large website that kept people updated in his status when he was at New Bolton Center.  Through that process, I got to know a lot of the people involved in the story.  Barbaro inspired me to focus my energies more on horse welfare issues, and then to write the book.  It is my first book, and I should think my last.  But what an experience!!

PtG: You have received great reviews for the book, including fifty-four five star reviews on amazon.com. What is it like getting such good praise for it?

Alex: Amazing.  Especially as I am not really a writer.  It's all very flattering and humbling.  I do truly hope that the book is widely read; it carries with it some messages that I think are important. 

PtG: What brought you to your involvement in the rescue of racehorses?

Alex: It was all through the Barbaro experience.  His owners, the Jacksons, decided they wanted to use the Barbaro platform to help address some welfare issues.  I simply followed their lead, and am still following.

PtG: What is the Top Bunk List and how did it get its start?

Alex: Basically it is a list of horses that have made more than $500,000, but are now running in low level claiming races ($5,000 or less).  These old war horses have contributed immensely to our sport, and it is a means to try to keep track of them and make sure they get a decent retirement when the time comes.  The list was inspired by a horse named Top Bunk, who fit that category.  I met Top Bunk when he raced a Presque Isle; I was working at that meet at the time. 

PtG: Is there any specific rescue of a racehorse or retired racehorse that you were involved with that is particularly touching to you?

Alex: My involvement is mostly indirect, so I cannot really claim much direct involvement in anything.  I must admit though, the Lights on Broadway story is very cool, and one I directly address in my book.  It shows how much risk these old war horses are in, how an unfortunate change of ownership can really put a horse in jeopardy.  But it also shows that fortunes can change just as quickly in a positive direction, and many people rallied for this horse.  A great story.

PtG: When did you first hear about Lights on Broadway?

Alex: He was on the original Top Bunk list, a list provided to me by the Daily Racing Form, based on the criteria I asked.  He last ran at Fonner Park, very cheaply, and it had been a few months, then his name resurfaced in a workout in Kansas.  The wheels were then set in motion to seek out his status, who had him, and so forth.  It was great to see everyone rally.

PtG: How did you work with other racing fans and horse lovers to rescue Lights?

Alex: Mostly networking, using the internet, our own discussion board (on alexbrownracing.com) and some of my own contacts.  Google actually proved useful to get contact information for the trainer who purchased him off the truck. 

PtG: What is it like to see horses, such as Lights, that you have helped save in their second careers?

Alex: Obviously it is cool, but there are too many we miss I am sure.  That being said, we can each do a little bit, and it is very important that we do.

PtG: How has your website and social media helped your work?

Alex: The internet, and social media specifically, has been critical.  Old media and we could not have done anything like we can now.  The Barbaro saga would not have been as closely followed, the community would not have developed, and so on.

PtG: Obviously, you have dealt with many Thoroughbreds. For those thinking about adopting an ex-racehorse for the first time, what would you tell them about owning an OTTB and what advice would you give them?

Alex: Enjoy it!  They are smart, willing and athletic.  Probably the best type is the one who was just a little slow to be a great horse in racing, but can be a star in another sport. 

Thank you, Alex, for this opportunity. By the way, I agree with your advice. My OTTB, Dexter, was a little slow on the track but is a great riding horse!

I adopted Dexter through Remember Me Rescue, a non-profit foundation that readers have an opportunity to raise money for by purchasing Alex Brown’s book, Greatness and Goodness: Barbaro and His Legacy through http://alexbrownracing.com/ while mentioning either Remember Me Rescue, Past the Grandstand, or Lights on Broadway.


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