AN EVENING WITH KENTUCKY FARM MANAGERS
Based on a few questions and comments that followed, I sensed that one of the biggest frustrations many are feeling about the industry is the lack of leadership in the form of a central or league office. Good ideas can be floated to help improve economic conditions, but the age-old question remains: Who will carry them out? I’ve been attending KTFMC meetings (on an infrequent basis) for more than 20 years, and I was impressed by both the size of the turnout (about 175 people showed up at Keeneland on a frigid night in foaling season, when many were still struggling with power outages) and the youthful enthusiasm and insights of many of those on hand. I was especially happy to see that two groups who represent a part of the industry’s future – KEMI, or the Kentucky Equine Management Internship and the Darley Flying Start students – were in attendance. Both are outstanding programs. Finally, I was pleased but not surprised to see first-hand that Gus Koch, a former Farm Manager of the Year and Life Member and former president of the KTFMC, has done more than help breed and raise good horses at Claiborne Farm (and Windfields Farm before that). He’s done just as well, if not better, developing a new generation of horsemen and leaders, including son Matthew, who is the current president of the KTFMC. Another son Charles, is a former KTFMC president; a third, Anthony, is an associate at Hallway Feeds, and a fourth, Steven, is vice president of racing at Woodbine Entertainment in Toronto, Canada. Overall, the evening with the KTFMC gives me faith that our industry’s future will be in good hands. My concern is the condition it will be in when it’s turned over to them. Copyright © 2009, The Paulick Report Visit the Paulick Report for all the latest news throughout the racing world. Sign up for our Email Flashes to get the latest news, analysis and commentary.
Tags: charles koch, Claiborne Farm, darley flying start, gus koch, Horse Racing, kemi, kentucky equine management internship, kentucky thoroughbred farm managers club, ktfmc, matthew koch, Paulick Report, Ray Paulick, steven koch, Thoroughbred industry
February 5th, 2009 at 10:32 am
Thanks for the good insight of our troubled but proud industry. I am fortunate to be in business with Matt and Charles Koch, and the old Stud , Good Gus has been my neighbor, friend and advisor for many years, back to the Charlie Kenny days at Stoner Creek. The Farm Managers group has grown ten fold in the past few years and is a force to be used in our industry; as we realize the problems first hand that we are experiencing in this “climate” . I only hope we can keep our fine stallions and broodmares here and improve our incenitive program so as not to lose business to regional “slot” states. WE need to show there many ways our Governor , House and Senate could aid us but most important the state’s economy by promoting our industry in a poitive way. We employ many people and generate a lot of dollars that turn over many times but the public only sees the tragic events. The Koch’s and I left that warm room to deliver a foal as soon as we left the meeeting, such a warm hopeful experience on a cold wintery evening. Hoping the filly will be a Kentucky Oaks winner in 2012, that is what farm managers and owners dream of at every foaling. Hope is life eternal in the thoroughbred industry. Thanks and the best to you, Ted Kuster,Shawhan Place
February 5th, 2009 at 11:53 am
Excellent presentation. I learned a lot. Those graphs really tell the story. Should be required reading for all horsemen.
February 5th, 2009 at 6:02 pm
Loved the presentation, Ray! Very informative. I agree with PP - should be required reading.
March 11th, 2009 at 12:53 pm
Ðвтор выйди к напроду, вопроÑÑ‹ еÑÑ‚ÑŒ!
March 12th, 2009 at 11:25 pm
Вот решил вам немного помочь и поÑлал Ñтот поÑÑ‚ в Ñоциальные закладки. Очень надеюÑÑŒ ваш рейтинг возраÑтет.
March 17th, 2009 at 6:14 pm
Очень понравилоÑÑŒ, даже не ожидала.
April 7th, 2009 at 5:54 pm
большое ÑпаÑибо!ВзÑла Ñебе тоже-пригодитÑÑ.
April 8th, 2009 at 6:36 am
Ðльпинарий - что Ñто такое, и Ñ Ñ‡ÐµÐ¼ его едÑÑ‚?
Возможно ли его Ñделать в домашних уÑловиÑÑ…?
April 10th, 2009 at 12:42 pm
Каждое колеÑо Airtrax оÑнащено ÑобÑтвенным ÑлектричеÑким или гидравличеÑким двигателем, транÑмиÑÑией, тормозом и блоком управлениÑ.