The concept of super trainers is by no means a new phenomenon in horse racing, but huge stables run by super trainers have certainly changed the landscape of the sport in its own right. many ways, from the back to the races. Are super coaches bad for the sport? Are there any benefits to owners using a “smaller” trainer? We asked these and many more questions to a number of trainers who might not be considered super trainers in terms of their stall numbers, but they made the most of the horses they had. They are assigned to build racing stables to compete in their careers.
For longtime California coach Patrick “Paddy” Gallagher, it all comes down to the horse. “The best part of my job is being around the horses… and pampering them a bit,” said the amiable Irishman. Once an assistant to Bill Shoemaker, Gallagher passed away alone in 1997 after the legendary racer retired after a brief stint as a coach. Some of Gallagher’s most notable athletes include four-time Class I winner Magical Fantasy (Diesis {GB}) as well as millionaire Flamboyant (FR) (Peer Gynt {Jpn}), a big money winner graded bets that Gallagher still pursues today. excellent in second career.
KP: How did you get into horse racing for the first time?
PG: I grew up in Ireland and on my days off from school I used to come down and work in the racetracks. After I finished school I needed to get a job so I went back and got a job there and started with Curragh. I worked there for a few coaches and then I moved to the US in 1980.
When I came to California, I worked at Green Thumb Farm in Chino, California. While there, I met some people who work at the racecourse. I went home for a while but went back and worked for a coach named John Sullivan for about nine years. When Bill Shoemaker started training, he asked if I would come work for him. He spoke with Sullivan before he approached me and we both agreed it was a good move for me, so I ended up working for Bill Shoemaker.
I started with Shoemaker in 1990. After his accident the following year, he continued to practice until about late 1997. When he told me he wanted to retire, he helped me. from the ground up in keeping the business running and he was always here at the track when I had runners running. He helped me a lot.
Sarah Pinfield’s Ridden, MGSW Flamboyant joins his first show of events this fall at Galway Downs | Photo courtesy of Paddy Gallagher Racing
KP: How many horses do you normally have in your stable?
PG: We have about 30 right now. It’s usually always between the top 30 and 45.
KP: What do you believe makes your stables unique?
PG: I think I’m a bit old in some ways, but I have a lot of younger employees so they don’t think I’m too old-fashioned. We want updates and we just want to take care of the horses as best we can and hope that at the end of the day it shows up.
KP: What do you believe the owner benefits from using a “smaller” trainer?
PG: Like everything, it depends on each individual owner and what makes them happy and keeps them comfortable. I’m not as big as I like to be in contact with my master all the time. I want to be able to access them all the time and keep them up to date. I want to make everyone feel comfortable, including the horses.
The reality is that some people prefer larger activities and others prefer not so large activities. I guess that’s what keeps the business going. The bigger guys have to have the smaller guys to keep the business going.
KP: Do you think super coaches are bad for the sport?
PG: No, I think super coaches will, for one reason or another, get used to it and grow, good luck to them. I don’t like to call anyone smaller trainers because they may be trainers with fewer horses, but that doesn’t necessarily mean they’re not as good at a horseman as anyone else. I think everyone deserves a good horse, whether it’s every now and then. That’s what makes the game so great. There are some good riders but not a lot of horses that can fight the big guys once and that’s great for the game when that happens.
Red Lark (Ire) (Epaulette {Aus}) Wins 2020 GI Del Mar Oaks for Gallagher and Eclipse owner Thoroughbred Partners | Horsephotos
KP: What do you like most about your job?
PG: I like owners who like their horses and how they act when they win – hopefully even how they act when they lose. But the best part is being with the animals, taking care of them, keeping them happy and healthy and pampering them a little. We want to bring out the best in them.
It was important to me that we found a second job for our racehorses so that others could experience these horses. It helps us an industry because now you have owners who are not into racing and they can enjoy these Thoroughbreds very enthusiastic and eager to please. We have a horse named Flamboyant (FR) (Peer Gynt {Jpn}) which has won some sort of bet for us. We retired him when he was 8 years old and he became a jump and dress horse and he is doing great. He has made the new owners very happy and he still has the same enthusiasm he had on the track. We place great emphasis on aftercare in our barn.
KP: What is the most frustrating aspect of your job?
PG: I never want to see anything bad happen to anyone’s horse. I just love to see the horses happy and healthy while they’re running. Things happen and if you don’t say anything about them, it will let you down. I learned from Bobby Frankel It’s been a long time, it’s not nice that you don’t talk about things as they happen. You’re better off saying something at that point and then moving on.
KP: Which horse has had the most influence on your career?
PG: Where do I come from, the obvious horse that comes to mind is a rock star named Arkle. He represented Ireland as a bellboy and he was a big influence on me as a child. Another horse that is always on my mind is the Dubai Millennium. He always acted to me like there was something special about him.
Come to think of it, I was lucky enough to be successful with some fillings and Magical Fantasy was able to stand out on paper because she won four tier I races. But for one reason or another, all of those. The horses I keep in the stables stand out to me. Each of them deserves a chance to be that superstar. Sometimes that doesn’t happen, but I still think they all deserve that chance.
To catch up on our ‘Smaller But Still Super’ series, click here.
