GILL THREATENS TO SUE THE PAULICK REPORT
By Ray Paulick
Wednesday was our third day of the continuing saga of Michael Gill, the controversial mortgage broker/horse owner from New Hampshire. We first broke the story on Monday about an incident that took place at Penn National racetrack last weekend when jockeys voted not to ride in future races where the field included a Michael Gill-owned horse. The jockeys took the unprecedented action after one of Gill’s horses, trained by Darrel Delahoussaye, broke down past the finish in Saturday night’s fifth race, causing a trailing horse to fall. Jockeys were quoted in subsequent published reports that they didn’t feel safe because of what they said was an unusually high injury rate among Gill’s horses.
“We did it for safety concerns,” jockey Tom Clifton was quoted as saying by the Thoroughbred Times. “We’ve got horses left and right snapping legs off in front of us, and every time it happens, three or four guys behind him go down, too. At what point do you say, ‘Listen, this is getting out of control.’ That’s why we did it, strictly as a safety concern. I have nothing against Michael Gill. I’ve ridden races for him before. I’m just getting tired of watching my fellow riders and horses go down that don’t deserve to.”
On Tuesday, we gave Gill a chance to provide his side of the story—and he did. He made a number of claims that some individuals told the Paulick Report are just not true, including a statement that “all of the horses go to retirement programs” when they can no longer race.
Prominent owner Maggi Moss, like Gill active in the claiming ranks, was following the story and contacted the Paulick Report Tuesday, asking if we would run her “open letter” to Gill, asking him to “please get out of racing.”
Gill has long been a lightning rod for controversy in this industry, and all three stories created a firestorm of comments from readers, some anonymous and some posting under their own name. These comment boards can be tough, but we didn’t think the criticism of Gill (and, yes, there were defenders, too) would prompt him to respond with a bizarre, rambling and threatening message that included a vow to sue me, Maggi Moss, jockey Tom Clifton and Penn National horseman Layne Gilforte.
Following is Gill’s post:
“This is my first email response ever. I am the owner of these horses not the trainer. Every one of my trainers has strict instructions that if a horse is sore, you don’t run that horse and there is not a trainer that has worked for me that will dispute that by name. I give away more horses than anyone in this industry and I have a bill of sale for one dollar for each and everyone. Many of these horses are still running but not for me.
“None of my horses have tested positive for anything. So when you see the comments on these blogs they are coming from trainers like Mr. Guilforte that won’t tell you that I claim a bunch of his horses and he cries each and every time and I mean big tears, Maggie Moss who has horses running in Penn now an has Stephanie Beatie to claim horses, and the other bloggers? Jockeys I don’t use. So when you win $3 million dollars out of a little track in Western Pennsylvania their motives are pretty clear. The other group of bloggers hates horse racing all together, and jump on every opportunity to give me a black eye. Every one of these horses were bread to race, otherwise they would not be here and trust me they do not come cheap.
“I want all you bloggers to pay attention because class is in session: Gillforte, Maggie Moss, Mr Clifton, Ray Paulick, pay particular attention. Have you all heard of liable? And antitrust? If you think I am kidding about suing you, you haven’t been paying attention. I have never made a threat and not followed through. I have a case in the Supreme Court right now. I am going to have horse racing as my business, and my hobby will be punishing each and every one of you pinheads, so happy blogging you have my attention.”
For the record, we’re not scared.
And we’re certainly not going to let the threat of a frivolous lawsuit intimidate us or prevent us from taking a closer look at Gill’s racing operation.
Tags: Darrel Delahoussaye, Layne Gilforte, maggi moss, Michael Gill, Paulick Report, Penn National racetrack, Ray Paulick, Tom Clifton
January 27th, 2010 at 10:39 pm
Gill go on and sue me to. Get Osama to help you and sue away.
Thanks
Buddy
January 27th, 2010 at 10:42 pm
That post alone makes me want to make a contribution to Tranquility Farm (http://www.tranquilityfarmtbs.org/) or one of the many other horse retirement groups so I can feel good about the world again. If ever horse racing needed a national commissioner, it’s now to ban “owners” like Michael Gill!
January 27th, 2010 at 10:43 pm
Truth is a defense against the charge of libel, Ray. Go, Raybie, Go.
January 27th, 2010 at 11:01 pm
Mr Gill says, “Have you all heard of liable? And antitrust?”
Sounds like he needs both a dictionary (it’s libel, not liable) and an introductory course in the law. So he’s also threatening to sue you on antitrust grounds? That’s hilarious.
January 27th, 2010 at 11:09 pm
Mr. Gill,
I have been brought up in the horse racing industry. My father was a trainer in the midwest every dollar I have ever made was from something to do with a horse. I used to defend you when people would protest your success. I as a 43yr. old man who cant make a living outside the horse racing industry am now ashamed of ever defending you. I dont see how, as a man, your only defense now is to sue everyone. Please get out of the racing game. You are nothing but a loser no matter how many races you win.
January 27th, 2010 at 11:24 pm
Good for you Ray.
January 27th, 2010 at 11:27 pm
Do we know for sure it was Michael Gill who wrote those messages? Anyone could put Michael Gill in the name required box.
That being said, I think it was him.
January 27th, 2010 at 11:33 pm
Whoa! Now that DOES sound like antitrust, if PNG is someone in power! But I doubt he/she is! Mr. Pawlick, I don’t see how youi instigated thisaction by the jockeys or Maggi’s response. You are just reporting a hot issue. You already know I’m on Mr. Gill’s side on this, and I’ve never met him. This is the best story out of PA Racing since the Paz bout and all the jocks banned for cheating years ago! I’m glad Mr. Gill responded. Did you verify that it was actually him? Under the circumstances, I think you should…!
January 27th, 2010 at 11:34 pm
Maury,
In a word, yes. I won’t go into details, but people who write “anonymous” comments should know anonymity is very difficult to achieve with today’s technology.
January 27th, 2010 at 11:35 pm
This would be funny if it wasn’t gonna be in the daily news 2morrow…U R now officially a POS imo Mr. Gill
January 27th, 2010 at 11:38 pm
Hey Mr. Gill… I am one of those detractors, one of those who openly criticized you and who was going to make a phone call Monday to inquire about track breakdowns by your horses and your stable and compare them to other stables. And I don’t hate horse racing. In fact, I eat, sleep and breathe racing. I LOVE the SPORT, not the cheap claiming business you have created. You don’t do the horses any service & your paranoia over “people out to get you” is only surpassed by your own megalomania.
Mr. Gill, will you please post for all to see to whom your $1 horses were sold. Name the rescues to whom you have donated horses. Will you explain if/why the horse Melodee Man may have been racing with 3 screws in his leg and whether or not he was developing a fracture in the same leg?
Mr. Gill, you can’t sue people for telling the ugly truth (or for disliking you in general.) People are entitled also to a freedom of speech in this country and that freedom includes being able to despise you for cheapening the game and drawing a lightning rod to the sport. You alone agreed to an interview with The Paulick Report. Perhaps you should have held a press conference and brought the vet and racing records of all of your horses, and shed some light on all of the things you contend are misunderstandings or lies.
Yes, Mr. Gill, I will go on loving the sport of racing, its human and equine athletes, but I sure as hell don’t have to like you.
January 27th, 2010 at 11:40 pm
Jeez. Lost in the Fog, you beat me to it. The man can’t even spell libel.
I don’t think I’ve ever heard of jockeys being presented with a situation that made them take action like this.
January 27th, 2010 at 11:45 pm
I see that PNG’s promise that Gill would never race at Penn National again was deleted. That was the reason for my reference to antitrust.
January 27th, 2010 at 11:45 pm
Ray Paulick is the best racing journalist out there because he’s not doing boring stories about the elite side of racing. Way to go, Ray !
Wasn’t it the Jerky boys clip where they say “Sue me?” “No, Sue Everybody.” Fits Michael Gill well. I wish Gill’s horses could file a class action lawsuit against him. He’d definitely go broke then.
January 27th, 2010 at 11:48 pm
Quoting the Jerky Boys? Exceptional. I’ll bring my glasses and my shoes. So I have them!
By the way… do we have to wait for the wing to fall off before we fix the airplane?
Do you know that it is possible to LEGISLATE shady owners and trainers into irrelevance? The industry is at fault here. THE INDUSTRY hasn’t done enough to assure the welfare of horses, or a level playing field. Our leaders have had DECADES of opportunity to clean up these issues. What have they done? What have they EVER done without a FORCED hand? (it took comments by Dutrow to finally get steroids banned!) Wheres the insight and vision?
Oh look, there goes the wing!
January 27th, 2010 at 11:49 pm
Maggi Moss is one of the best attorney’s in the US and will crush you in the courtroom, Mr. Gill. Your ignorance is amazing to me.
January 28th, 2010 at 12:01 am
“People who write “anonymous” comments should know anonymity is very difficult to achieve with today’s technology.”
There goes my idea to wait - like a sneaky snake in the grass - to spring my comments here as the real Kevin Bacon and threaten a lawsuit for false impersonation.
Good reporting on this Ray. Interesting and fun to watch and read. It has to be one of the biggest web stories for racing ever.
PTP
January 28th, 2010 at 1:05 am
We need more synthetic tracks so they can run even less sound stock.
January 28th, 2010 at 1:13 am
Go get ‘em Ray.
January 28th, 2010 at 1:13 am
These horses were “bred” (to race) not “bread” (as in dough, knead, and butter). Possibly.
January 28th, 2010 at 1:36 am
First off, Bravo Mr. Paulick, Tom Clifton, The Penn National Jockeys, Maggi Moss, and all the bloggers that have exposed the truth about this sick, demented heartless soul.
Second, Michael Gill, I have to laugh, You have exposed yourself for the narcissistic Jackass that you are! Please, Keep talking and sending in your comments, The hole that you are digging is getting deeper and deeper by your own insane actions. Maybe this is a little redemption for all the horses that were sent to slaughter or died on the track under your control? I sure hope so…
January 28th, 2010 at 2:34 am
I think Gill should get off the computer and spend time looking for good homes for his horses -and I mean really, truly good homes!
January 28th, 2010 at 7:56 am
Mr. Paulick, Why don’t you give Don Nickerson in New York a call? He is a Kill Buyer that buys at New Holland and ships to Canada, Ask him if he knows Michael Gill…
January 28th, 2010 at 8:11 am
I’ve been around racing long enough to know that when you sell your horses for a $1.00 - and you can’t name names or some still running, you are clearly passing on the problem. Actually, you ARE the problem! I hate to think what has happened to a good majority of those animals. Need any character witnesses Ray? I’m there - me and my two TB’s from the track that are safe in my barn.
January 28th, 2010 at 8:12 am
Ray,
First the Cullen story and now the Gill story! Keep up the good work!
January 28th, 2010 at 8:34 am
Gill, you are trash!
January 28th, 2010 at 8:52 am
Mr Gill,
As a small time owner, and trainer, also having been married to two jockeys, I would like to tell you—-GET OUT OF THIS INDUSTRY!!!! WE DO NOT NEED NOR DO WE WANT YOU!!!
Guys like you give racing an even backer eye than anything that happens on national television, be it a breakdown in the Kentucky Derby, Preaknesr Breeder’s Cup. Before the
January 28th, 2010 at 9:08 am
We still have to commend the jockeys for looking out for their own safety. Sometimes, the jockeys are getting lost in this debate, but their safety is of the utmost importance, and Gill shouldn’t be threatening lawsuits against jockeys who have a genuine concern about their welfare.
I hope all of racing stands up to the bastardly actions of Gill and his bullying. He’s a sorry sack of “it”. I don’t want to hear his whining & crying about being persecuted. I am sorry, but no sympathy for a whiner when the whiner can’t back up his own statements about the welfare of his current & former horses. I am a bit disgusted that Penn has yet to revoke his stalls. This is, afterall, a privately owned racetrack & can they not deny him stalls & entry? Penn will never see a dime of my wagering $$ because of Gill’s presence at the Penn track.
My final question to Gill:
Would YOU, Michael Gill, feel safe on one of your own horses going 7 furlongs at 35 to 40 mph??
January 28th, 2010 at 9:25 am
I wonder if the jockeys at Philadelphia Park took notice of Gill’s intentions to sue jockeys? Perhaps they should think twice before riding in his races this weekend. What’s the worst that can happen? He threatens to sue them as well? LOL
January 28th, 2010 at 9:33 am
What a classy guy Mike Gill is! Stay with it Ray, I think Maggie would really enjoy this case if it ever is made/goes to court.
January 28th, 2010 at 9:51 am
Ray,
Although I would genuinely hate to see you have to spend the money to fight such a frivolous lawsuit I hope he files it. By doing so he may spark national media news exposure to himself and his business practices.
Perhaps creating a public outcry which will make the apathetic of our sport in power to actually act to end the abuse gill and his type reap upon this otherwise wonderful sport.
Oh gill, when the red line shows up under words you’ve typed that means its spelled wrong.
January 28th, 2010 at 9:58 am
Lost in the Fog & Bob—Beside liable instead of libel, he said “these horses are BREAD to race”. Does this man own a dictionary?
January 28th, 2010 at 10:00 am
Bill Yates,
I think he knows what spell check is, but unfortunately he doesn’t know what a homonym is.
January 28th, 2010 at 10:00 am
Go Ray! Go Weglarz, and Dray33, whoever you are, you’re the best commenter ever!
If I were Gill, I’d be dust on the horizon, on the run, outta here! But I don’t think he’s that smart.
January 28th, 2010 at 10:03 am
Excellent reporting, Ray. In my experience, those who threaten journalists with lawsuits have the most to hide. If Michael Gill has a rational, documented defense, he should publish it , with statistics and supporting statements from former and current trainers and farm employees. If he had consulted a lawyer, I am certain that would be the advice he received.
As for fairness, you have given him every opportunity to respond on this Web site.
However - and this does not detract from your reporting of this issue - the problems go far beyond Gill and this affair. The use of legal medication (such as salix) to mask illegal medication and the blatant use of illegal medication and techniques to deaden pain in the equine athletes in this sport is killing it, along with many of the animals and riders involved.
In my opinion, some of the outrage levelled at Gill should be aimed squarely at regulators who blithely ignore the problem on a daily basis. Banning race-day medication to bring the US into line with international standards would be a start, but to restore confidence and integrity we have to go beyond that. I think we have to consider having vets register with regulators each horse they have treated and with what medication. And we need to have trainers disclose all treatment - and this data should be made available to the public on a timely basis. It make take that, and uniform and harsh penalties applied across 38 jurisdictions, to clean up this sport, protect the animals and riders and restore confidence before the industry implodes completely.
January 28th, 2010 at 10:11 am
Mitch C.
Good point obviously he is clicking on what ever the first word pops up from spell check and not ensuring its the correct one for the usage he intends.
January 28th, 2010 at 10:47 am
I think “bread to race” was a Freudian slip since “bread” is slang for money.
I also think Gill is “liable” to lose a libel suit. As others have noted, truth is a defense against libel.
I’d like to see the Jockeys’ Guild come out in support of the Penn National jockeys (if they haven’t already done so) even if most of the Penn jockeys aren’t Guild members. Safety is safety and there are other owners at other tracks racing other less than fit, maybe damaged horses….
Great comments from Graeme Beaton (if only…), Paula M. Weglarz and others.
January 28th, 2010 at 10:52 am
The Gill story is getting old. Wy did Curlin fee drop? Why are they cutting purses at Fairgrounds? These are more important issues. Is the sport crumbling before are eyes. I thought Fairgrounds had machines. Is it the ADW’S causing all this? I’m tired of Gill story’s. Move on.
January 28th, 2010 at 11:11 am
Noelle, in a liable case the complaintant also must show that he was harmed in some way by the printed/broadcast matter. I don’t think Mr. Gill’s reputation was harmed by any of the bloggers — it already was in tatters even before the jockeys refused to ride.
January 28th, 2010 at 11:15 am
Romulus,
I think people agree with your post. However, I also think people see this as an opportunity to make our sport better. Perhaps this will put the wheel in motion to create a national governing body seeing that local outfits such as Penn Gaming can’t seem to keep a handle on things. Maybe, other tentacles to this story such as Horse Retirment will also get a boost. This story is more than Penn possibly banning Gill. It could be an industry changing story and besides the Triple Crown doesn’t heat up for another six weeks. That should be enough time for this WHOLE story to play out.
Didn’t ray post a new lead story today? The Fair Grounds story is older news than Gill and it’s been reported quite well by all the usual suspects.
January 28th, 2010 at 11:26 am
Let him sue! He doesn’t have any more leg to stand than his horses do.
The more energy and money he spends on threatening and suing, the less horses he will buy and hurt.
The industry needs a huge dose of public outrage to be forced to improve drastically. No lies, no trainer-vet privacy-shield, no secrecy, no injections to numb the pain in court. Only raw truth exposed to the outside world.
Just as those in charge so often wait until an entire family is killed at a dangerous intersection to face, fund and correct an obvious problem, I have always believed that what will force desperately needed industry change in order to adequately protect horses and riders from abuse is a major tragedy and/or scandal and trial.
I hope that Gill/Penn is it. Horses and jockeys cannot take it anymore, not just in PA but across the country as long as painkillers and chemical boosters are permitted 30 days before a race.
How low can scum go? Horsemen groups and all who profit from the racing of horses cannot fuel and protect evil forever. The industry cannot survive while it tolerates the catastrophic break down of moral compass and basic business principals.
Racing needs a central authority based outside KY to avoid pollution and regression.
January 28th, 2010 at 11:27 am
sorry: to stand on
January 28th, 2010 at 12:25 pm
Has Mr.Gill ever heard of ’spelling’?His letter is as senseless as his continued involvement in our sport.
January 28th, 2010 at 12:47 pm
A friend told me about story just this morning, and I just finished reading most of the comments. I won’t mention any names, but I worked at that farm twice in the past year for two diff trainers. The first time I was there, I quit about two weeks in after I witness some of the horribly things that go on there. About six months later I heard there were new trainer there, so figure I’d give it another shot.there was no change, more of the same..infact worse. I got my first check and never went back for the couple of days I worked there the second week. I want no part of that place or be involved in suck cruel ways. Its sad
January 28th, 2010 at 12:55 pm
From the Blood Horse:
“Kinsella, who sold for a sale-topping $2.2 million at the 2007 Fasig-Tipton Saratoga yearling sale, was euthanized Jan. 25 after breaking down following a workout over Santa Anita’s Pro-Ride surface.”
“We breezed him, and he finished the work right at the finish line,” said Team Valor’s Barry Irwin. “The injury to his front leg started at the cannon bone and went right through the sesamoids. They were shattered, and we put him down right there.”
Why isn’t anyone calling for Barry Irwin’s head on a post? His horse is just as dead as Gill’s. Different standards for house owners? The hysteria over Gill is more about sore owners than sore horses.
January 28th, 2010 at 12:59 pm
Tiznowbaby - you’re so right.
Romulus - the Gill story is getting old? How short is your attention span?
Have you noticed how little ever actually gets done about any of the many serious problems facing Thoroughbred horseracing? The press reports and “the people” let off some steam and then everyone loses interest and moves on to the next controversy. Occasionally, if a story is awful enough - like the Paragallo story - something good happens. Most of the time, when the public stops raising hell, the PICs relax and it’s back to business as usual.
People stayed on the Paragallo story until the racing authorities took action. Gill deserves no less.
January 28th, 2010 at 1:09 pm
IMr. Gill should be suspended because he had 15 horses break down last year while racing. His number of entries or number of horses is irrelevant. But, imo, deserving indignation against Mr. Gill personally should also be aimed in another direction.
It shocks me that racing office and stewards would permit the above and take (apparently) zero action causing a jockey revolt. Owers have a moral duty to protect their animals. The racing office should have a legal duty, but essentially does not. Is it large oversight in our sport that regs fail to exist to protect horses.
January 28th, 2010 at 1:11 pm
Joe (#41) - the industry has HAD several huge doses of public outrage over the past few years, and it’s done nothing to fix itself. Barbaro, Eight Belles, Ernie Paragallo and now Gill. Every time this has happened I think maybe now, finally, something will change. It never does. Gill might be run out of the sport, but I doubt it, because there is always another jurisdiction with its own set of rules that he can go to. This has caught the eye until the next horrible thing comes along, and still nothing will change.
January 28th, 2010 at 1:21 pm
If - and I have no idea whether this is true or false - Gill’s horses are routinely passing dope tests, there are two possibilities, either:
[a] The testing regime is exceptionally - possibly intentionally - poor and fails to reveal powerful medication.
[b] This story of ruthless exploitation and carnage is being exagerated - for whatever purpose.
As I asked before, how long does he tend to have these horses before the catastrophe - if not long then the previous team dropped an accident waiting to happen on his toes.
Second, what about these jockeys’ agents, if things are really as bad as the story appears then surely they wouldn’t accept these kami-kaze mounts even for a share of $20,000?
Not being partisan, or frivolous, just trying to introduce some objectivity.
January 28th, 2010 at 1:30 pm
These horses of Gill’s that broke down were often on the lead. Why would they be on the lead and then break down? Because they must have been numbed somehow and felt no pain to their pre-existing injury. When they go down and are on the lead they take out 2-3 horses behind them, hence why the jocks refused to ride with Gill horses.
January 28th, 2010 at 1:39 pm
“Joe (#41) - the industry has HAD several huge doses of public outrage over the past few years, and it’s done nothing to fix itself. Barbaro, Eight Belles, Ernie Paragallo and now Gill. Every time this has happened I think maybe now, finally, something will change. It never does”
How true - Let’s look at an archive report.
Thursday, June 19th, 2008
The Paulick Report will be blogging live from Thursday’s hearing on horse racing from Washington, D.C.
1:32…Hearing adjourned abruptly for a vote. Alex Waldrop walks away and mutters, “Saved by the bell.” Wonder if he’s been reading my blog?
Line of the day from Jack Van Berg when asked what it’s like to train horses today: “It’s chemical warfare out there?”
January 28th, 2010 at 1:51 pm
Only those with impeccable reputations can sue for libel.
Maybe Mike can join forces with Paris Hilton in a class-action suit.
(After they publish their dictionary.)
January 28th, 2010 at 1:54 pm
I wonder if NYRA would give the Aqueduct license to Penn Gaming if they knew they built a paddock that floods with 2 feet of water everytime it rains. I wonder if the company that built that paddock secured the deal by saying “If you agree to hire us, we’ll throw in two sump pumps.”
When it rains, I propose they change what they say over the loudspeaker.
Instead of “Attention horseman, bring your horses to the paddock for next race”
It should be “Attention horseman bring your horses and hipwaders to the paddock for the next race.”
January 28th, 2010 at 1:56 pm
Ray,
Just wondering if you’ve had any response from ANYONE at the NTRA, Jockey Club or TOBA? I assume they’re aware of this situation. Is there any interest or concern on their part in how this sordid saga plays out or do they consider it beneath them….
January 28th, 2010 at 1:59 pm
Well said Noelle - sad but true.
There are many reasons why electronic equine medical records need to be created, meticulously kept and PUBLICLY disclosed.
All who want or need to study the physical condition of horses, especially following injury or death, could review their entire medical history online.
Since freak accidents happen to racing sound horses, ethical owners could have their names cleared immediately.
At the same time, abuse would be exposed and most accidents PREVENTED but forcing change with transparency. Abusers would either quit racing or be forced to improve how they treat horses.
January 28th, 2010 at 2:03 pm
o.k guys…I’m sorry but aren’t you people taking this a little too far? As a trainer, you get paid to do exactly that. Condition the horse and have it ready to run while the owner pays. If the horse is done and should be retired isn’t it the trainer who makes that call to the owner that enough is enough. Alot of blame here…..Owners own, trainers train, isn’t that the way the story is suppose to go?
January 28th, 2010 at 2:06 pm
You know who he sounds like?
Ernie Paragallo.
Don’t know why guys who give racing a bad name can’t seem to put together simple declarative sentences, but it’s true.
January 28th, 2010 at 2:20 pm
#57 last part: BY forcing change with transparency.
#41
I agree with Gina and takethat. When I wrote “major” I meant to say bigger than any previous tragedy or scandal.
January 28th, 2010 at 2:31 pm
” Every one of these horses were bread to race”.
White or whole wheat?
January 28th, 2010 at 3:24 pm
multigrain.
January 28th, 2010 at 3:32 pm
What about,
Maybe your not familiar with Gill. He is a different animal altogether - don’t expect him to do things the right way. He wants total control of his operation so that is why he has gone thru trainer after trainer. Trainers who try to do things the right way will not last with him. He ends up with trainers who will do whatever he wants. It has been this way since he got into the business several years ago. I have horses at penn and have had horses in New England where Gill started. I hear about a lot of things that he does and the information is usually obtained from more than one source.
There is a lot of information that you can find about about him and his horse racing and mortgage businesses on-line. He constantly has problems in both. So, NO - the people on this site are not taking it too far. Something needs to be done with him.
January 28th, 2010 at 3:57 pm
Hey thanks rockrest…sorry i’m a little old school and it sounds like behind on times…
January 28th, 2010 at 4:18 pm
Aside from the misspelled words and his ignorance of litigation, this letter speaks volumes by what it *doesn’t* say. It generates more questions than answers.
I wonder what the *real* story is. There must be a pattern that we haven’t been made aware of for the jockeys to take such serious action.
Keep digging, Ray, and keep us posted.
January 28th, 2010 at 4:19 pm
what about, grab “Not By a Long Shot” by TD Thornton. It’s an enjoyable read but also gives you a good feel for Gill’s operation.
January 28th, 2010 at 4:23 pm
Thanks Ray–this is the kind of reporting the industry needs.
January 28th, 2010 at 4:34 pm
What about,
Another thing that should be pointed out is that Gill was using the top riders at Penn. William Otero, Thomas Clifton and Dana Whitney were all riding for him. They all had the same agent when they were riding for him. The question has to be asked - Why did they stop riding for him. He says that he fired them. Maybe he found better riders - I don’t think so. William Otero and Thomas Clifton have been two of the top riders at Penn for years. They were first and second in the rider standings in 2008. Dana Whitney started rifding at Penn in the past year and is a vey good rider. There are some jockey/trainer combinations that stay together for years. I think they all stopped riding for him because they were being put on so many bad horses and feared for their lives. Since this whole issue is being brought to light because of the entire jockey colony refusing to ride in races in which Gill has a horse, it would be very enlightening to hear the jockey’s side of the story. If there are any jockeys out there, or jockey’s agents, we would love to hear from you.
January 28th, 2010 at 4:39 pm
APPARENTLY Gill recently sold 20 horses for $1.00
Coincidentally, there was a load of thoroughbreds that shipped to Quebec, Canada to a slaughter house.
They are willing to cooperate but only have until tomorrow morning until the horses are slaughtered.
The problem is that they will not reveal the horse’s or the tattoo numbers but if a name or tattoo number is given to them, they will look amongst the group of horses to see if that horse is there.
Does anyone have any names of horses that may have been recently sold that we can give them to see if they came from the Gill farm?
January 28th, 2010 at 5:26 pm
Cowboy:
Can you tell us more?
Or help delay the slaughter of tatooed horses?
Can you contact Ray Paulick directly and tell him what you know?
How damn sad! These poor horses whoever they are slaughtered tomorrow… It is snowing and 21 degrees right now, low tonight: 4 degrees in Montreal, QC.
January 28th, 2010 at 5:29 pm
Nice thing about threatening libel litigation is that most of the time a competent attorney will talk you out of it. If you insist Mr. Gill, be forewarned, truth is an absolute defense to the claim of libel. Litigation is not a hobby, and to claim that it will become yours, speaks to the wisdom of your threatened case.
The comparison to Mr. Irwin to Mr. Gill is the most disingenuous thing I’ve read in a long time. Mr. Irwin doesn’t have jocks at racetracks go to the stewards and refuse to ride when Team Valor’s horses are entered. To equate Irwin to Gill based on the death of Kinsella is nothing short of nonsensical. I know Mr. Irwin, he is a responsible fiduciary of his partner’s interests in Team Valor’s horses. He doesn’t send broken horses to race. I don’t know Mr. Gill, and I don’t know if he does or does not act responsibly. But give the jocks some credit. They know what’s going on in the races they ride. Horse racing is dangerous for animal and human alike, what we don’t need is people that make it insane.
January 28th, 2010 at 5:34 pm
rockrest,
this jockey situation sounds all to similar to what happened at suffolk in 2008, all the quality riders there did not want to ride his horses and he got fed up and pulled his 60 plus horses off the backstretch ( he left a handful with vitali) leaving two of his past employees high and dry, Tommy Creel (current racing secretary) and Sam Elliot (current vice president of racing) both had worked for him in previously. the only difference was that the riders at suffolk did it informally
January 28th, 2010 at 6:10 pm
Cowboy:
Who should people contact with the information?
January 28th, 2010 at 6:17 pm
thanks much, Kelly.
January 28th, 2010 at 6:18 pm
Taken from another blog….not my article.
—————————————————-
WHITE BUCK (Thats Our Buck), now-10yo gr/ro gelding, claimed 11/15/08, PHA 9, $7.5K. Last raced - 9/1/09, MNR 7, 1m70y Cl5000; 1st, $5,760/AA. Owner: Michael Gill - Trainer: Anthony Adamo
Record: 94-14-12-20, $417,859; 2009: 8-2-1-2, $19,424.
Won the Sam Davis at TBD in 2003; placed in the El Cajon (DMR) and Bien Bien (HOL) in 2003 and the Eight Thirty S (DEL) in 2004.
In following up my search for news about the fate of White Buck…
I bring sad news with regard to the fate of White Buck. Buck is dead.
I spoke with his breeder at great length yesterday and she was very gracious in answering all of my questions. The story goes as follows…White Buck’s breeders had been concerned for his well being for quite sometime as he advanced in age and steadily went down the claiming ranks. They had made calls to Mike Gill to let him know that when Buck needed to be retired, they would like to bring him home to give him the proper retirement that he deserved. At some point (many weeks) after his last race, someone from Gill’s team contacted the breeder to let them know that the horse was theirs if they wanted him. The breeder made arrangements for transport and arrangements in Florida at the farm of one of Buck’s early caretakers for a place for him to go. At the time, the breeder did not have an empty stall for Buck, so the deal was made for Buck to stay with others who loved and cared for him during his youth.
The breeder was on hand as Buck was unloaded from the van and she described him as being “dead lame.” She stated that Buck otherwise appeared to be in good flesh. The day after Buck arrived in FL his caretakers noticed he wasnt feeling well and promptly called a vet. The vet determined that Buck had pleurisy and a collapsed lung so aggressive treatment was commenced. A couple of days into treatment Buck was taken outside to graze with the hope that this would perk him up and that getting his head down to graze would aid in his recovery. The breeder told me that Buck took about two bites of grass and “dropped dead” right where he stood grazing.
As you can well imagine, Buck’s breeders and caretakers are devastated by the tragic death of their horse, as am I. I had so hoped for a happy ending for Buck.
The breeder figured that Buck’s respiratory troubles were a result of the transport to Florida, but I dont know that I buy that. For Buck to have been so gravely ill only hours after arriving in FL, I have to question whether or not he was already sick when he was loaded in PA. Given the fact that the horse was so lame, one would have to question whether the stress of his injuries might have further compromised his physical condition.
My heart breaks for Buck’s breeders. They are terrific people who do their absolute best to take responsibility for the horses they breed and to try to prevent their horses from abuse, neglect, and slaughter. Buck’s mother was born on their farm and was laid to rest last May at the age of 30. Buck’s grandmother also born on their farm was laid to rest there as well at the age of 26. These are folks who genuinely care for every single horse they breed or own.
The Link’s are heartbroken to have finally succeeded in bringing Buck home only to lose him days later.
RIP White Buck. The humans that did this to you will one day be judged for their actions.
Gail
January 28th, 2010 at 7:03 pm
I cannot say more right now because nothing more is known. Ray reads this forum and at this point there is nothing more to tell him.
Right now it is just a scramble to try to get names to them to essentially hope that some can be identified and than stopped.
If anyone has names, please send them via this forum. All you’re doing is suggesting a name that may be a possibility.
I am not going to get caught up in a lot of conversation on this site but will just keep checking back for names and passing them on as quickly as possible.
January 28th, 2010 at 7:04 pm
Put some names up here if you have any and I will call them back…We need to work quickly
January 28th, 2010 at 7:43 pm
Cowboy:
There’s a list posted here of about 80 Gill horses that haven’t raced since July 2009. The poster is looking for information and has gotten info on a few. But I don’t know if any of them are known to have been sold for $1:
http://thoroughbredchampions.com/forum/index.php?topic=40453.0
January 28th, 2010 at 7:57 pm
Cowboy:
could you cross-post your messages in the other PR thread titled: “Maggi to Mike…” so more people see them?
January 28th, 2010 at 8:24 pm
Dear Mr Gill,
LOL
Best laugh i have had in years.
Thank You !!
January 28th, 2010 at 8:47 pm
Cowboy - Here’s one - Devonesque.
January 28th, 2010 at 8:50 pm
Haven’t got any input on the whole Michael Gill thing, but thought I’d pop in with a story about Barry Irwin’s generosity when it comes to horses that he was involved in. About 7 years ago I attended college for Equine Science, focusing on breeding. Our program maintained a teaching herd of mares and stallions, most of which came off the meat truck. We needed a stallion and one was purchased at the feedlot for next to nothing. He was a thoroughbred stallion named Colway Rally. Easily researched it was found out that he had been a graded stakes winner for Clover Racing, the precusor to Team Valor. He had started his stallion career at a farm in California before moving at some point to Alberta, Canada. Our program director contacted Mr. Irwin, who was saddened to hear that he had been in the feedlot. Mr. Irwin not only donated money to the college (which has since been set up into a scholarship for students) he also offered to take the horse back if he was ever no longer needed in the program. This cemented in my mind that Mr. Irwin is a stand up owner in the thoroughbred business. I offer condolences to Team Valor for the loss of Kinsella.
January 28th, 2010 at 9:01 pm
Well, Mr. Gill Threatens to sue oh yes I forgot he sued my boss once. Where did that suit end up Mr. Gill a waste of time.
I wonder what happened to the horses you claimed from him I know of 3 that R dead!!!! Your so called vets constantly injecting them among other crap.
I cannot stand the sight of you and you know what you tarnis horse racing stand up and be a man. You tell the trainers what to do where you like the horses to run, you make the decision of what horses to claim. I know you pay the vet bills how many times has your barns been raided????? You really make me sick really I wish oneday to say all of this to your face I am not scared of you.
So I guess we are all going to court because that is all you can do is take people to court well I have enough people that would love to be in that court room on the prosecuting side!!!!!
January 28th, 2010 at 9:06 pm
Cowboy, here are some names found on another board.
Stauch
Sir Ray
Angelic Hero
Cahill Kid
Bright Beau
de casperis
Lizzie C
Delightful Jolie
Carrolls Favorite
Give me shelter
Mr. Brodway
Proud Andrew
Borderfire
Mountain Sea
Very Early Scotch Believed to be Deceased
Liverwerst
Scooby Dooby Doo
Big Fish
Skiptomloumydarling
January 28th, 2010 at 9:21 pm
Cowboy, On Carolyn’s previous comment, Just wanted to note that two were mispelled, Liverwurst & Scooby Dooby Do are the correct spelling, Hope you have some luck…
January 28th, 2010 at 9:49 pm
Mr. Gill, Why don’t you have the balls to respond to this, Why don’t you answer what happened to “Skiptomloumydarlin” on Nov. 6, 2009? You ran this poor 8 year old gelding to the ground! You raced him 8/15, 9/4, 9/15, 9/28, 10/13, 10/21, and his last race was on 11/6 when he collapsed to the ground going around the far turn. 91 starts in his career!
January 28th, 2010 at 9:51 pm
Sheryl A,
Any word on GEEFOUR? A horse your husband ran while he was a complete cripple. I would like to retire him to a good home. Let me know when I can pick him up or is it too late ?
January 28th, 2010 at 10:01 pm
Carolyn,
Skiptomloumydarlin is dead. That horse broke down and was euthanized on the spot.
January 28th, 2010 at 10:06 pm
The following research was posted at The Chronicle of the Horse forum:
Some Gill MIAs
« on: January 25, 2010, 09:18:21 PM »
——————————————————————————–
This is a list of ~80 Gill horses who have not started in at least 6 months (and most much longer than that) in the US or Canada, according to EQB Horse Search as of this morning. However, I have not recently googled them to see if any have been placed in online auctions, or listed on a CANTER site, are now running or standing at stud in other countries, etc. [I have found other Gill horses from 2009 at such sites.] Six months is something of an arbitrary number, but since Gill owns horses to race them, it seemed like a conservative indicator that something could be amiss.
I am posting this in the hope that someone on this board may have some information about even one of them. (Feel free to PM me, if you choose.) But I also want to give names, and figurative faces, to some of the many, many horses who have passed through his hands in his years in the game ? far too many of which have seemed to disappear. These names are taken from the roster I compiled of horses entered in Gill?s name from November 20, 2008 through December 31, 2009.
This list does not, with a couple of exceptions, include the horses which, according to their charts, were eased, pulled up, went lame, or broke down in their last known race.
It is important to remember, however, that Gill does lay off productive horses, sometimes for many months. He also used to do some breeding, and may still do so. He has sold fillies and mares as broodmares, or at least sold them to third parties who do so. And in 2009 he apparently sold at least two older, intact males as studs (De Roode and Ironton); I am hoping that that?s where Sir Ray has gone. And, as I posted elsewhere, I have been told reliably that Adamo?s people at PHA gave away at least 2 horses, to an eventer who was in the area for an event and took them out West. I hope those two are on this list, and some others as well.
The list will comprise several posts, due to its length. The horses are listed under the month in which they last raced. The horse?s age is his/her age in 2009. The date/race info is that of the horse?s last recorded race. Initials are those of the trainer.
UNRACED IN 2009
Clay’ s a Hero (Mohave Moon), 4yo filly (bred and owned by Gill)
12/20/08, PEN 7, 6 F Cl4000; 8th, $0/MR
Record: 35-6-2-3, $50,667.
Gold Pleasure (Ide), 6yo mare, claimed 11/22/08, PHA 7, $5K
Unraced since claim.
Record: 49-11-9-7, $190,662 (2008: 13-5-2-3, $84,600)
Jeannette’s Hope (Yes It’ s True), 5yo mare (owned by Gill for entire racing career)
11/28/08 PEN 7/1, 1st, $6,600 ($5K claimer).
Record: 31-4-2-7, $70,680.
Snow Eagle (Wild Again), 8yo gelding (owned by Gill for entire racing career)
12/20/08, PEN 8, 6 F Cl5000; 8th (last), $0/MV
Record: 37-8-4-6, $133,340 (2008: 11-2-1-2, $15,725)
Chicago Nate (Exploit), 6yo gelding, claimed 3/27/08, LRL 6, $22.5K
1/14/09, PEN 8, 5.5 F Cl5000; 4th, $744
Record: 36-8-9-2. $145,006 ($84,964 in 2008)
Deacon Gray (Pulpit), 5yo gelding, claimed 3/22/08, LRL 9, $10K
1/7/09, PEN 2, 1m70y Cl4000; 4th, $624/MR
1/23/09, PEN 6, 1mi70y Cl4000; trainer scratch/MR
Record (US/CAN): 27-3-3-4, $49,509
Flaminsun (Smoke Glacken), 7yo gr/ro gelding, claimed 5/2/08, PIM 8, $25K
1/11/09, PHA 1, 5.5 F Cl15000; 6th, $150/TH
Record: 35-8-4-5, $169,783
Holy Okie Dokie (Holy Bull), 3yo filly, claimed 9/30/08, DEL 8, $25K
1/23/09, PEN 5, 6 F Cl25000K; 4th, $1,314
Record: 8-1-2-2, $37,484 (broke maiden on 9/16/08)
Maui Moonrise (Drewman), 4yo filly, claimed 9/22/08, DEL 2, $7.5K
1/19/09, LRL 5, 5.5 F Cl5000; 8th (last), $0 (chart says “eased late” )
2/18/09, PEN 4, 4.5F Cl5000; trainer scratch/TH
Record: 18-2-5-2, $31,368
SINCE FEBRUARY 2009
American Officer (Officer), 5yo gelding, claimed 9/28/08, DEL 6, $25K
LR: 2/20/09, PEN, 6F Cl6250; 4th, $744/MC
3/6/09, PEN 4, 5.5F Cl7500; trainer scratch/JC
Record: 18-2-4-2, $68,073
Beat the Chalk (Valid Wager), 7yo gelding, claimed 3/28/08, LRL 2, $7.5K
2/13/09, PEN 6, 6F Cl4000; 1st, $6,480/MR
Note: Record: 35-10-6-9, $223,490 [2008: $28,970, 9-3-3-1].
Benjamin (Digimist), 4yo gelding, claimed 9/7/08, PHA 1, $20K
2/21/09, PEN 8, 1mi70y MdCl5000; 12th, $0/MV
Record: 7-0-0-0, $750 (claimed by Gill o/o debut race)
Bouley Bakery (Songandaprayer), 4yo filly, claimed 11/2/08, PHA 4, $5K
2/16/09, PHA 8, 6F Cl, $25K; 1st, $15,600/TH
Record: 13-4-0-2, $60,609
Classic Set (Regal Classic), 5yo mare, claimed 6/25/08, SUF 1, $5K
2/4/09, PEN 3, 8.5F Cl4000; 1st, $6,240
Record: 24-5-2-4, $42,516.
Cormorant’ s Pride (Honour and Glory), 4yo colt, claimed 3/29/08, LRL 4, $20K
2/28/09, PEN 7, 5.5F Cl5000; 12th, $0/MR
Record: 18-2-2-4, $35,471.
Keltish Lass (Eltish), 6yo mare, claimed 10/19/08, PHA 5, $16K
2/4/09, LRL 7, 8.5F Cl14000; 3rd, $1,980 (first start since claimed)
3/4/09, LRL 1, 8F Cl10000; scratched/CG
Record: 26-5-3-2, $140,822 (2008: 10-1-2-0, $35,222).
——————————————————————————–
SINCE MARCH 2009
Bachelor’s Lane (Lodge Hill), 4yo gelding, claimed 12/10/08, PEN 9, $5K
3/14/09, PEN 8, 6F MdCl5000; 7th, $0/MR
Record: 6-0-1-0, $2,380
Deputy’s Honor (Milwaukee Brew), 4yo colt, claimed 11/20/08, PEN 4, $10K
3/18/09, PEN 7, 6F Cl5000; 6th, $0/MV (won previous start).
Record: 14-5-1-2, $70,114.
Hitting Hard (Red Bullet), 5yo gelding, claimed 4/27/08, PIM 2, $16K
3/21/09, PEN 7, 8.5 F Cl5000; 6th, $0/MR (won previous race)
Record: 12-2-3-0, $24,760.
Jaguar Joe (Service Stripe), 9yo gelding, claimed 11/15/08, PHA 6, $5K
3/21/09, PHA 4, 6F Cl5000; 6th, $150/EJjr
Record: 80-19-16-19, $279,793; 2008: 16-5-2-5, $67,860.
P. Vee’s Thunder (Untuttable), 3yo gelding, claimed 11/1/08, PHA 3, $25K
3/14/09, LRL 7, ~8.5F Cl10000; 7th, $0/MN
Record: 7-1-0-0, $16,954.
Red Sail At Sunset (Petionville), 6yo gelding, claimed 12/6/08, PEN 2, $10K
3/6/09, PEN 1, 1m70y Cl4000; 2nd, $2,240/MR (won previous race)
Record: 37-4-14-5, $205,462
Scooter Roo (Salt Lake), 5yo gelding, claimed 9/15/08, PHA 5, $5K
3/4/09, PEN 7, 6F Cl5000; 7th, $0/MR
3/26/09, PEN 9, 8F Cl4000; trainer scratch/MR
Record: 25-6-2-2, $99,950
SINCE APRIL 2009
Bexar (Posse), 3yo colt, claimed 11/22/09, PHA 3, $25K
4/26/09, CT 4, Allow ($29K); 3rd, $2,900/TH
Record: 9-2-2-2, $43,370
June Tune (Concorde’s Tune), 7yo mare, claimed 6/11/08, SUF 8, $16K
4/17/09, AC 6, STR (turf) ($24K); 5th, $220/LB
Record: 39-6-9-2, $126,600
Sir Ray (Sir Leon), 9yo horse, claimed 11/22/08, PHA 5, $7.5K
4/27/09, DEL 9, 1m70y Cl5000; 10th, $300
Record: 77-22-10-9, $430,089; 2008: 6-2-1-0, $22,570; stakes: 1-1-0
His semi-legendary Maryland My Maryland Stakes win (Calder, 5/21/05): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xse2FasMvdY
Whisky Swish (Whiskey Wisdom), 8yo mare, claimed 3/29/08, LRL 7, $5K
4/27/09, PHA 2, 8.5F Cl5000; 7th, $150 (Chart comments: “roughed up at the start, raced inside and stopped” )
Record: 52-7-4-13, $245,365
SINCE MAY 2009
Aka Roxie (Cactus Ridge), 4yo filly, claimed 5/9/09, PHA 2, $15K
5/9/09, PHA 2, Cl15000; 6th, $150
Record: 6-2-0-1, $59,150
Note: Worked at PEN 9/05/09, but not since.
Carrington (Carson City), 8yo gelding, claimed 4/19/09, PHA 6, $12.5K
5/31/09, PHA 3, 6F Cl7500; 6th, $150/AA
Note: Worked at Fair Hill on 9/14, but not since.
Record: 45-10-4-5, $303,575
Clever Selection (Forest Camp), 6yo mare, claimed 10/6/08, DEL 3, $5K
5/23/09, SUF 5, 6F Cl4000; 5th, $219/MV
Record: 27-6-1-5, $111,606.
Kiwi Krush (Two Punch), 3yo filly, claimed 5/24/09, PHA 3 (MdCl), $12.5K
Unraced since claimed.
Record: 1-0-0-0, $520
Majestic Slewville (Evansville Slew), 7yo mare, claimed 1/6/09, PHA, $8K
5/30/09, PHA 3, 5F (turf; taken off), Cl16000; 3rd, $2,750/AA
8/1/09, PHA 8, 5F (T) Cl16000; scratched/AA
Record: 43-8-9-10, $169,355.
Nerve (Tour d’Or), 5yo gelding, claimed 11/23/08, PHA 3, $7.5K
5/9/09, SUF 8, 8F Cl4000; 7th, $0/MV (finished last in his previous 3 races)
Record: 15-4-1-0, $108,410
Rule the Music (West Acre), 5yo gelding, claimed 9/6/08, PHA 5, $25K
5/10/09, PHA 8, 8F St. Allow; 6th, $150/DD (won previous race)
Record: 11-1-3-3, $40,510
Shapez (Lemon Drop Kid), 4yo colt, claimed 3/16/09, PHA 1, $12.5K
5/27/09, PHA 5, 8F Cl12500; 3rd, $2,772/AA
Record: 19-3-1-2, $63,982
Sway With the Wind (Devil His Due), 6yo gelding, claimed 10/7/08, DEL 7, $5K
5/31/09, SUF 3, 1m70y Cl5000; 5th, $279/MV
Record: 28-7-6-4, $149,230
——————————————————————————–
SINCE JUNE 2009
Avonian (Not for Love), 4yo colt gelding, claimed 2/9/09, PHA 8, $12.5K
6/27/09, SUF 4, 6F Cl5000; 1st, $4,380/MV
Record: 15-7-2-2, $108,830.
Communicated (Distorted Humor), 5yo horse, claimed 10/4/08, PHA 4, $25K
6/12/09, PEN 7, 5.5F AOC20000; 4th, $2,400/AA
7/21/09, PHA9, 6F AOC40000; stewards scratch/AA
Record: 17-5-4-2, $158,438.
Fandango Girl (Trippi), 3yo filly, claimed 1/15/09, LRL, $10K
6/23/09, SUF 4, 8f Cl5000; 7th, $0/MV
Record: 11-2-1-2, $30,220
House of Boo (Chester House), 6yo gelding, claimed 4/27/08, PIM 6, $10K
6/29/09, SUF 8, 6F Cl4500; 7th, $0/MV
Record: 27-2-5-7, $70,813
Hymn for Her (Bowman?s Band), 3yo filly, claimed 12/27/08, PHA 2, $25K
6/8/09, SUF 2, 5.5F Cl5000; 4th, $365/MV
Record: 10-1-1-0, $17,700
Keystone Baby (Stormin Fever), 3yo filly, claimed 5/25/09, PHA 9, $10K
6/8/09, PHA 4, 1m70y Cl12500; 4th, $1,080/AA
Record: 7-3-0-1, $42,598
Keuka Maid (Phone Trick), 6yo mare, claimed 9/28/09, PHA 4, $12.5K
6/29/09, SUF 6, 8F Cl4000; 9th (last), $0/MV
Record: 36-4-4-10, $123,677
Loveland (Halos and Horns), 8yo mare, claimed 9/15/08, PHA 10, $5K
6/30/09, SUF 7, 5.5F Cl4000; 9th (last), $0/MV
Record: 52-10-10-4, $188,529
Lucky Frolic (Carson City), 7yo gelding, claimed 3/18/09, LRL 7, $5K
6/11/09, PEN 1, ~5F (T) Cl8000; 1st, $13,200/AA
Record: 44-11-9-5, $304,095
Lucky Real Lucky (Cat’s Career), 3yo gelding, claimed 11/17/08, PHA 6, $25K
6/13/09, PEN 7, 6F Cl10000; 1st, $16,560/AA
Record: 7-3-1-0, $56,388
(DECEASED. Previous connections were able to retrieve him from Gill, but his condition was such that he could not live comfortably. So they made the merciful decision.)
Miss South Slope (Cryptoclearance), 3yo filly, claimed 10/26/08, DEL 7, $25K
6/30/09, SUF 2, 8F Cl4500; 2nd, $1,460/MV
Record: 10-1-2-1, $19,280.
Navesink Sunset (Commendable), 7yo gelding, claimed 2/2/09, PHA 6, $5K
6/15/09, SUF 4, 6F Cl4000; 7th, $0/MV
Record: 41-7-6-4, $93,739
Need the Write Off (Snow Ridge), 5yo gelding, claimed 2/28/09, PHA 4, $5K
6/5/09, PEN 9, 6F Cl4000; 8th (last), $0/AA
Record: 30-5-5-5, $124,630
Night Owl (Out of Place), 5yo gelding, claimed 9/14/08, PHA 6, $15K
6/14/09, PHA 9, 7F Cl7500; 7th, $150/AA
Record: 20-1-7-4, $87,802
Outstriding (Outflanker), 4yo filly, claimed 9/1/08, PHA 7, $16K
6/5/09, PEN 10, 6F Cl4000; 8th, $0/DD
6/26/09, PEN 6, 6F Cl4000; stewards scratch/DD
Record: 24-4-2-2, $58,165
Red Magic (Rubiano), 7yo gelding, claimed 8/31/08, PHA 2, $16K
6/9/09, SUF 4, 5.5F Cl4000; 8th, $0/MV
Record: 52-8-7-10, $215,851.
Shabril Thrill (Louis Quatorze), 5yo mare, claimed 11/25/08, PHA 6, $12.5K
6/11/09, PEN 8, 1m70y Cl4000; DNF (but fog-obscured; chart says “distanced”)/DD
Record: 24-4-3-0, $62,020
Theatrical Talent (Theatrical (IRE)), 6yo horse, claimed 6/28/08, SUF 6, $12.5K
6/9/09, SUF 1, 1m70y Cl4000; 9th, $0/MV
Record: 38-5-3-6, $79,471.
Tis Unanswerable (Metfield), 7yo mare, claimed 6/29/08, SUF 9, $5K
6/27/09, SUF 2, 1m70y Cl4000; 9th (last), $0/MV
Record: 33-9-6-5, $249,907.
——————————————————————————–
SINCE JULY 2009
Abulletforfrank (Red Bullet), 4yo filly, claimed 7/25/09, PHA 5, $5K
Unraced since claim.
Record: 17-5-0-3, $64,550.
Antilles Flat (Graeme Hall), 5yo gelding, claimed 5/14/09, PEN 6, $5K
7/25/09, PEN 6, 4.5F Cl5000; 6th, $0/DD (won previous race, an MdCl, on May 22)
Record: 5-1-1-0, $11,780
B L’s Metropolitan (B L’s Appeal), 4yo gelding, claimed 6/21/08, SUF 3, $25K
7/29/09, SUF 1, 1mi70y Cl4500; 4th, $430/MV
Record: 23-5-2-2, $50,846.
Captured Emotion (Explicit), 4yo filly, claimed 10/4/08, PHA 10, $25K
7/6/09, SUF 9, 8F Cl4500; 10th (last), $0/MV
Record: 15-2-5-2, $39,276
Chase for the Gold (Golden Gear), 5yo gelding, claimed 4/19/09, PHA 3, $7.5K
7/25/09, MNR 8, 8f Cl5000; 1st, $5,684/AA
Record: 33-9-1-2, $212,454
Clair Bear (Olmodavor), 3yo filly, claimed 11/10/08, DEL 7, $50K
7/22/09, PEN 3, 1m70y Cl5000; 6th, $0/DD
Record: 12-3-0-1, $60,510.
French Action (Action This Day), 3yo gelding, claimed 12/20/08, PHA 1, $12.5K
7/6/09, SUF 2, 8F Cl4500; 8th, $0/MV
Record: 10-1-0-0, $7,128
Geefour (Dixie Union), 5yo gelding, claimed 11/15/08, PHA 5, $25K
7/4/09, PEN 9, 4.5F Cl4000; 5th, $360/AA
Record: 23-4-5-3, $159,092
Head Games (Silver Deputy), 5yo gelding, claimed 9/3/08, PHA 7, $5K
7/7/09, PHA 4, 5.5F Cl7500; 2nd, $3,600/AA
Record: 29-9-3-4, $125,440
Hoppel’s Bulls Eye (Aldebaran), 3yo colt, claimed 4/25/09, PEN 7, $12K
7/11/09, PEN 4, 6F Cl15000; 9th (last), $0/DD
Record: 9-1-3-1, $35,522
January Rain (Behrens), 6yo mare, claimed 5/3/09, PHA 1, $7.5K
7/4/09, PHA 6, 6F Cl5000; 4th, $1,260/AA
Record: 49-9-9-10, $202,172
Koufax Curve, 4yo filly (Kafwain), claimed 5/27/09, PHA 3, $16K
7/28/09, PHA 8, 6F Cl16000; 9th (last), $0
Record: 15-4-2-1, $71,857
Kris Appeal (Kissin Kris), 4yo colt, claimed 2/13/09, PEN 5, $14K
7/31/09, MNR 9, 8F Cl15000; 3rd, $1,890/AA
Record: 15-5-2-2, $110,330
Marconi (Yes It’ s True), 3yo colt; claimed 12/9/08, PHA 3, $25K
7/17/09, PEN 6, 5.5F Cl6250; 5th, $450/DD
8/5/09, PEN 4, 6F Cl, $5K; trainer scratch/DD
Record: 12-2-2-1, $39,430
Ranger Creek (Cat Thief), 5yo gelding, claimed 12/7/08, PHA 4, $7.5K
5/15/09, PEN 6, 1m70y Cl4000; DNF/DD (clipped heels entering 1st turn and fell; people who saw the race say other horses ran over him and his jockey.)
6/16/09, SUF 2, 6F Cl4000; 6th, $0/MV
7/1/09, SUF 5, 1m70y Cl4000; 6th, $0/MV
Record: 30-5-3-6, $89,364
Shemeansbidness (Kafwain), 3yo filly, claimed 10/21/08, PHA 6, $15K
7/31/09, MNR 1, 6F Cl5000; 10th, $0/AA
Record: 14-2-1-2, $33,962
Southern Terminus (More Than Ready), 4yo gelding, claimed 4/25/09, PHA 3, $7.5K
6/27/09, PEN 7, 5.5F Cl10000; DNF (” eased to wire” )/AA
7/27/09, PHA 8, 6F Cl10000; 2nd, $4,600/AA
Record: 15-2-3-3, $68,405
Swingle (B L’s Appeal), 4yo filly, claimed 7/9/08, SUF 2, $12.5K
7/14/09, SUF 2, 6F Cl4500; 7th (last), $0/MV
Record: 19-3-3-2, $25,969
Three Tiaras (Diamond), 5yo gelding, claimed 9/9/08, PHA 3, $15K
7/8/09, SUF 2, 6F Cl4000; 7th (last), $0/MV
Record: 37-3-2-9, $120,433
Touch a Prince (Touch Gold), 5yo gelding, claimed 5/10/08, PIM 4, $20K
7/15/09, SUF 9, 6F Cl4000; 11th, $0/MV
Record: 26-6-2-1, $58,481
Whisper a Tune (Way West (FR)), 6yo mare, claimed 11/14/08, PEN 1, $4K
7/14/09, SUF 6, 8F Cl6000; 7th (last), $0/MV
Record: 36-6-8-4, $70,328
January 28th, 2010 at 10:08 pm
Very sorry to hear that.
January 28th, 2010 at 10:14 pm
My poor boy Skippy if it is ok I would like to post a tribute to him tomorrow he was a brave horse and when he was in my care he was well take care of. I knew once Gill got him he would end up dead. Rip Skippy So sorry you ended up with the butcher of racing.
January 28th, 2010 at 10:17 pm
known horses dead fro Gill??? Unaccounted Affair to much new stuff in the ankles??? Just a question not implying. Rumour that went around the track.
Bobby’s Buckaroo foundered
Very Early Scotch?????
Oh lets not forget Casual Conflict I watched that horse jog everyday at palm meadows that was one sore horse.
January 28th, 2010 at 10:22 pm
This brings to mind the tragic death of 16 year old apprentice jockey Josh Radosevich who was killed at Beulah Park. He reportedly told an assistant starter before the race that the horse was “sore but was going to win.” Sure enough, his horse was on the lead when he broke down throwing Josh. He died on the track in his father’s arms and the horse was euthanized. The Ohio Racing Commision “investigated” then decreed that all jockeys had to be 18 to ride….as if his age was responsible for an “sore” horse breaking down.
Equestrian activities are dangerous enough without running unsound horses. If all jockeys banded together to boycott greedy owners and uscrupulous trainers, everyone but the bottom feeders would benefit.
January 28th, 2010 at 10:33 pm
Mac,
Uniformity seems to be a problem in this game. Everyone only cares about themselves which is rather sad.
By the way, has anyone heard what the official Pennsylvania HBPA stance is on this whole Gill fiasco?
January 28th, 2010 at 10:33 pm
RE: POST #87.
That list was originally posted at TBC; please give credit to the person who assembled the list.
And I see that more names of horses who haven’t run since August through part of October have been added:
http://thoroughbredchampions.com/forum/index.php?topic=40453.15
January 28th, 2010 at 10:33 pm
To make it easier for Cowboy and all, following is the same list of MIA horses with only name, sire, sex, age:
Unraced in 2009
Clay’ s a Hero, (Mohave Moon), 4yo filly
Gold Pleasure (Ide), 6yo mare
Jeannette’s Hope, (Yes It’s True), 5yo mare
Snow Eagle (Wild Again), 8yo gelding
Chicago Nate (Exploit), 6yo gelding,
Deacon Gray (Pulpit), 5yo gelding,
Flaminsun (Smoke Glacken), 7yo gr/ro gelding,
Holy Okie Dokie (Holy Bull), 3yo filly
Maui Moonrise (Drewman), 4yo filly
MIA SINCE FEBRUARY 2009
American Officer (Officer), 5yo gelding,
Beat the Chalk (Valid Wager), 7yo gelding
Benjamin (Digimist), 4yo gelding
Bouley Bakery (Songandaprayer), 4yo filly
Classic Set (Regal Classic), 5yo mare
Cormorant’ s Pride (Honour and Glory), 4yo colt
Keltish Lass (Eltish), 6yo mare
MIA SINCE MARCH 2009
Bachelor’s Lane (Lodge Hill), 4yo gelding
Deputy’s Honor (Milwaukee Brew), 4yo colt
Hitting Hard (Red Bullet), 5yo gelding
Jaguar Joe (Service Stripe), 9yo gelding
P. Vee’s Thunder (Untuttable), 3yo gelding
Red Sail At Sunset (Petionville), 6yo gelding
Scooter Roo (Salt Lake), 5yo gelding
MIA SINCE APRIL 2009
Bexar (Posse), 3yo colt
June Tune (Concorde’s Tune), 7yo mare
Sir Ray (Sir Leon), 9yo horse
Whisky Swish (Whiskey Wisdom), 8yo mare
MIA SINCE MAY 2009
Aka Roxie (Cactus Ridge), 4yo filly.
Carrington (Carson City), 8yo gelding
Clever Selection (Forest Camp), 6yo mare
Kiwi Krush (Two Punch), 3yo filly
Majestic Slewville (Evansville Slew), 7yo mare
Nerve (Tour d’Or), 5yo gelding
Rule the Music (West Acre), 5yo gelding
Shapez (Lemon Drop Kid), 4yo colt
Sway With the Wind (Devil His Due), 6yo gelding
——————————————————————————–
MIA SINCE JUNE 2009
Avonian (Not for Love), 4yo colt gelding
Communicated (Distorted Humor), 5yo horse
Fandango Girl (Trippi), 3yo filly
House of Boo (Chester House), 6yo gelding
Hymn for Her (Bowman?s Band), 3yo filly
Keystone Baby (Stormin Fever), 3yo filly
Keuka Maid (Phone Trick), 6yo mare
Loveland (Halos and Horns), 8yo mare
Lucky Frolic (Carson City), 7yo gelding
Miss South Slope (Cryptoclearance), 3yo filly
Navesink Sunset (Commendable), 7yo gelding
Need the Write Off (Snow Ridge), 5yo gelding
Night Owl (Out of Place), 5yo gelding
Outstriding (Outflanker), 4yo filly
Red Magic (Rubiano), 7yo gelding
Shabril Thrill (Louis Quatorze), 5yo mare
Theatrical Talent (Theatrical (IRE)), 6yo horse
Tis Unanswerable (Metfield), 7yo mare
MIA SINCE JULY 2009
Abulletforfrank (Red Bullet), 4yo filly
Antilles Flat (Graeme Hall), 5yo gelding
B L’s Metropolitan (B L’s Appeal), 4yo gelding
Captured Emotion (Explicit), 4yo filly
Chase for the Gold (Golden Gear), 5yo gelding
Clair Bear (Olmodavor), 3yo filly
French Action (Action This Day), 3yo gelding
Geefour (Dixie Union), 5yo gelding
Head Games (Silver Deputy), 5yo gelding
Hoppel’s Bulls Eye (Aldebaran), 3yo colt
January Rain (Behrens), 6yo mare
Koufax Curve, 4yo filly (Kafwain
Kris Appeal (Kissin Kris), 4yo colt
Marconi (Yes It’ s True), 3yo colt
Ranger Creek (Cat Thief), 5yo gelding
Shemeansbidness (Kafwain), 3yo filly
Southern Terminus (More Than Ready), 4yo gelding
Swingle (B L’s Appeal), 4yo filly
Three Tiaras (Diamond), 5yo gelding
Touch a Prince (Touch Gold), 5yo gelding
Whisper a Tune (Way West (FR)), 6yo mare
January 28th, 2010 at 10:56 pm
Given what has turned out to be the case with other owners who said they “donated” horses to persons unnamed, it’s completely fair to question whether those horses are in good homes, dead, or unaccounted for.
Mr. Gill has a right to not tell people where those horses are now — it’s not technically (legally speaking) any of our business what someone else does with his or her property.
However, vague claims and/or excuses regarding retirement/quality of care of horses might have cut it in the past, but not anymore.
Just ask Ernie.
Given the situation, Mr Gill, a public figure in horse racing as far as I’m concerned, might as well get used to feeling the brunt of some stinging opinion pieces.
January 28th, 2010 at 11:19 pm
By spouting off, Gill has certainly opened up the wrath of racing and equine welfare.
Sheesh! I am stunned by this enormous list of horses who are MIA?! Stunned! I am not disbelieving it, though… it seems that horses who cross Gill’s path aren’t long for this world.
January 28th, 2010 at 11:25 pm
Excellent. Thank you to everybody
January 28th, 2010 at 11:32 pm
Cross-posting:
A list of former Gill horses that have been traced to new connections or at least out of Gill’s barn:
http://thoroughbredchampions.com/forum/index.php?topic=40532.msg887996#msg887996
January 29th, 2010 at 1:00 am
gill says he is going to punish the jocks with a law suit didnt he punish them enough already ask the 9 or 10 jocks that landed in the hospital over the last 10 months because of his barbaric trainers practices at penn
January 29th, 2010 at 5:50 am
Skiptomloumydarling broke down and was euthanized…and this whole thing with Michael Gill is ticking me off,Mr Gill either clean up your act or get out of the business.I am an avid horse racing fan and i am tired of watching your horses break down/pull up/be eased and vanned off and euthanized day after day
January 29th, 2010 at 6:44 am
I was amazed that this miscreant Michael Gill is still involved in Thoroughbred horse racing.
I am reading a book by T.D. Thorton called Not By A Long Shot about a season of racing at Suffolk Downs in 2000. Gill was described as having “a history of equine drug violations, lengthy suspensions, aggressive claiming tactics, conspiracy theories, and abrasive personnel firings fueled by a ruthless, win-at-all-costs attitude.” If Mr. Gill is such a danger to the welfare of the horses he owns and others on the track. perhaps the least we can hope for is a lengthy prison term, and at best for the state that incarcerates him, to euthanize him and put him out of his misery.
January 29th, 2010 at 7:39 am
Well, I awake to a sick stomach to think of my poor Skippy trying to get up in his race on Nov 9 Blind in one eye trying to figure out what happened to him. Skippy I wonder what Carolyln Hine would think??? his former owner?? Just one thing about this sick ordeale you are no longer in the wrath of this man and his staff.
The Lies they tell
Rip Skippy may you romp around with Barbaro today
January 29th, 2010 at 8:59 am
Anyone know why the blog “…Not to the Swift”, and still linked on Best of the Blogs by Paulick is now in “page not found”?
Gill get to ‘em with the ”…white trash with money…”.
Has he/she been “liabled” (Gill speak, not mine) into removal???
The killhouse is really going to work with some on this board to pull horses??????
January 29th, 2010 at 9:40 am
The same group (s) who voted on the 2009 Horse of the Year also voted him an Eclipse Award. Shame!
January 29th, 2010 at 9:50 am
Anyone know how Luhuk’s Dancer is doing? Was vanned off after the finish of a race Dec. 11th at Philadelphia Park and was claimed out of the race by Michael Gill. Thanks.
January 29th, 2010 at 10:07 am
Cowboy: Can you check and see about a mare named Devonesque? 5 year old bay mare. She last ran at Penn for Gill for 5 and ran poorly. Last we heard she was at his farm, we tried to contact them about getting her back but had no response.
Thanks
January 29th, 2010 at 11:22 am
Sounds like things are back to normal at Penn for now, and they are back to accepting Gill’s entries.
January 29th, 2010 at 11:38 am
If #107 is correct…greedy pus a ton of cheap, simpering, race at all cost cowards.
January 29th, 2010 at 11:41 am
Excuse me…”pus” should have been plus, but pus(s) might fit.
January 29th, 2010 at 11:48 am
penn national accepted gills entries for february 3, overnight out already, garcia named to ride
January 29th, 2010 at 11:51 am
#107 What?? Where did you read that? What information has been released to the betting public as far as exactly what the issue was (or the issues were) and precisely how they were resolved - to prove the track’s integrity?
January 29th, 2010 at 11:53 am
Mary, got that info from a trainer at Penn. Haven’t seen any ‘official’ news anywhere yet though.
January 29th, 2010 at 11:53 am
the track has no integrity, everytime gill threatens lawsuit , the racing commisions and racetracks run for cover, gill knows this and is going to play this angle everytime
January 29th, 2010 at 12:26 pm
Gill has SEVEN horses entered at PEN next Wednesday w/ F. Garcia listed as the jockey. How’s Garcia going to be treated in the jock’s room? Gill will have to build him his own dressing room at the track!
January 29th, 2010 at 1:02 pm
B lane .Whisky swish ,hitting hard ,com pride, beat the chalk decon gray, all got great new homes and the people still have them , some of the trainers do the right thing
January 29th, 2010 at 1:05 pm
You can certainly address this issue with Penn National:
Rob Marella
Director of Racing at Hollywood Casino
717-469-2111
rob.marella@pngaming.com
Racing Office
800-233-8328
January 29th, 2010 at 1:06 pm
Thanks Trainer. 8 down, 242 more to go. Keep us updated.
January 29th, 2010 at 1:09 pm
I actually think the finger should be pointed more on the trainers, staff and there help for the horrible breakdowns, then the owner. Is the owner calling the shots on who runs and when they run?
January 29th, 2010 at 1:15 pm
Come on Tom, be real! This is not your normal owner/trainer situation. Gill’s trainers are on the payroll, they are not independent contractors!!!
January 29th, 2010 at 1:21 pm
Tom, in many cases you are right, but you might want to research Mr. Gill a litlte bit.
January 29th, 2010 at 1:22 pm
These jockeys need our support.
They have the right and duty to protect their own lives against scum, collusion and secrecy since jockeys don’t know what the medical and chemical condition of their mounts are and there is no safety net to protect horses and riders.
How could they loose in court in front of a jury from the real world? Is racing waiting for a high profile criminal trial?
If the industry wanted to change and had a central authority in place, jockeys would have a place to turn to for immediate physical and legal protection.
January 29th, 2010 at 1:38 pm
Tom, You Asked, “Is the owner calling the shots on who runs and when they run?”, YES!, This low life is a complete control freak! He sits in his house and controls everything from there, Every aspect of every horse he controls, His trainers are puppets, Nothing more or Less…
January 29th, 2010 at 1:54 pm
Greg J, while I agree with your post for the most part, they are not just puppets. They could quit at any time. Carrying out the deed is just as bad. Both Adamo and Delahoussaye have sent horses over to the paddock knowing there was a greater chance of breakdown. The breakdowns got worse after Cole Norman started his duties at Elk Creek. Wish someone had the time to compare the Gill breakdown issue before and after Cole Norman’s arrival. The results would be eye opening.
January 29th, 2010 at 2:03 pm
Mitch C., I agree 100 percent, The trainers are just as guilty, And, It would be interesting to know the stats on the breakdowns after Norman arrived?, When did Norman start at Elk Creek? I will start to look into it tomorrow…
January 29th, 2010 at 2:35 pm
Well, he was in jail until January and got out in the South. So maybe March/April at the earliest?
January 29th, 2010 at 2:36 pm
Does anyone know how often Gill visits Elk Creek? Is it once in a blue moon or failry often?
January 29th, 2010 at 2:38 pm
Mitch C #116 - Already on it. Sent an e-mail about 2 hours ago to Fred Lipkin, Director of Publicity and Marketing, asking him to direct me to the public press release about all of this. No reply yet.
January 29th, 2010 at 2:44 pm
Mary,
You need to contact Marella.
January 29th, 2010 at 2:58 pm
An Open Letter to the PA Racing Commission
Dear Commission:
I wanted to take this time to thank you for your due diligence in overseeing one of the most questionable racetrack owners in the country: Penn Gaming. Given their ability to prove that they have no clue about how to run a real racetrack, according to your duties, it then becomes incumbent upon you to intervene.
Your failure to not oversee Penn National goes back to several incidents.
1.) The race fixing scandal in the early part of the decade where several riders were fixing races.
2.) The failiure to report proper weights of Mr. Jorge Tipa in 2008 who was more than 10 lbs overweight. Where is the refund to all the bettors who wagered thinking the rider was 10 lbs less than he really was? Did you know about this or did Penn sweep it under the rug? Did the Clerk of Scales lose their job?
3.) The incredible amount of breakdowns in 2008 in both the morning and the evening. How many breakdown incidents at Penn National is it going to take for you to investigate the people at Penn National?
4.) The assigning of stalls to Mr. Michael Gill and not trainers. Have you asked Penn National why other race tracks in North America has turned down or booted Mr. Gill from their backside?
5.) Have you asked Penn officials why two trainers apply for stalls, Jamie Ness and Anthony Stabile, but the Stabile horses all said “previously trained by Jamie Ness” and are mostly owned by Ness’ main client? Can you ask the track photographer for pictures of their winners to see if both or vice versa are in the winner’s circle picture?
I ask the Pennsylvania Racing Commission to publicaly address each of these issues because it is my understanding that you have a duty to oversee racing and protect the bettors and other participants in the sport.
To be clear, I do not believe this problem is with the Commission at Penn National - we all know their hands are tied by you, the people in Harrisburg who should be ashamed to cash your paychecks every two weeks.
Sincerely,
Mitch C
January 29th, 2010 at 3:57 pm
What do you think will come out of the commission hearing they scheduled for tomorrow? I just read about it on DRF.
January 29th, 2010 at 3:59 pm
PENN asks commission to investigate Gill because of 10 horse deaths:
http://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/articles/55107/penn-wants-commission-to-investigate-gill?utm_source=twitter
January 29th, 2010 at 4:47 pm
how does the 3rd largest gaming operator and publicly traded company in the united states get pushed around by some mortgage broker from new hampshire?
you would think penn national`s legal team would have a little bit of an advantage, i guess not because napoleon just backed them into a corner.
January 29th, 2010 at 4:48 pm
Well, when turds are involved in pushing horses….the jocks become the last line of defense. Not only for themselves, but for the horses. I’ve seen Paulick posts from fans say, “well, then…the jocks have to stand up!”. They have. Where is the rest of the racing world(save Moss), the state of PA, the track, Jockey’s Guild, etc????? Where in the hell are they?
Every jock on that track should refuse to ride Gill horses. From there, every trainer worth his or her salt should refuse to take Gill horses. If the don’t, they become co-conspirators with the joy knowing they aren’t breaking any enforced standards or laws. After all, they are just horses with tiny men and women on top steering…right?
Good job Penn. Your reputation is well deserved.
January 29th, 2010 at 5:02 pm
Hollywood Casino at Penn National Race Course has asked the state to investigate Thoroughbred owner Michael Gill because 10 of his horses were euthanized on the track in 13 months, two in last week.
http://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/articles/55107/penn-wants-commission-to-investigate-gill
From DRF:
http://www.drf.com/news/article/110451.html
January 29th, 2010 at 5:07 pm
Most of the horses listed as safe by Trainer in #115 (not sure about Whisky Swish) had the same trainer in their last race, a trainer who sometimes does the right thing. And quit Gill. So this could be true. If so, thanks.
January 29th, 2010 at 5:14 pm
ok, heres the thing. IF, and thats a BIG if, Mr Gill is completely innocent, I would think he is still one big cold hearted horses rear end. With so many of his horses breaking down WHY would he want to remain in the industry? How could he POSSIBLY be deriving joy from it? Nope, Im not buying it. Good for these jocks for standing up to him. Let him go back to playing mortgage broker and screwing people over. Hmmm, maybe Obama could help him out and have him and the jocks over for a beer. Seriously, this man is a pig and disgusts me. A big black mark on the racing industry. Let PETA have at him. And I don’t even LIKE PETA.
January 29th, 2010 at 5:21 pm
I hope Penn realizes that by asking for this, they may not like what the commission finds involving them.
At this point, I think Penn’s racing dates should be stripped. Give Penn Gaming what they want - no racing. Move the dates to Presque or Philly Park. Enough is enough. It’s clear the Penn doesn’t want to handle the issues that come up with racing.
January 29th, 2010 at 5:23 pm
I wonder if their letter to the commission also asked them to investigate any items from my open letter above?
January 29th, 2010 at 5:41 pm
So, now that this news has broke. I suppose this is the current list of people that Mr. Gill is going to sue?
Thomas Clifton
Maggi Moss
Ray Paulick
Penn Gaming
PA Racing Commission
Mitch C
Susan
Pisces
D Masters
Don
Wizard 82
Myectomy
Greg J
Denver Kush Club
Molly
Cowboy
MyHeart10
Sam Webb
AppJumper08
zak
Whatabout
Joe
Layne Giliforte
jockey3
Am I missing anyone?
January 29th, 2010 at 5:51 pm
mitch
do you think we can get a group rate for legal counsel?
January 29th, 2010 at 5:52 pm
An Open Letter To Mr Gill,
Mr Gill, please pay attention- class IS in session. And you sir are the subject- albeit a very sad one. My husband was a bug boy when we first met in Rockingham in 86. I have groomed, walked hots, galloped and was a shed row foreman . YOU sir have no business owning race horses. You had no right owning such amazing creatures. They had more class than you will ever have. How on earth do you go to sleep at night, let alone eat dinner, knowing that your lack of ethics endangers so many lives? What a JOKE you are. I wouldn’t venture out from behind my computer if I were you- because everyone is scowling in disgust at your site. Then again, you probably enjoy that.
January 29th, 2010 at 5:56 pm
Penn has requested that the racing commission investigate Gill. It’s not over yet!
January 29th, 2010 at 5:57 pm
Nm. Just read the above posts.
January 29th, 2010 at 5:58 pm
RHT
Kudos to you and your words he has claimed and run them to their death of at least 4 that I know of!!!
January 29th, 2010 at 6:06 pm
Thanks My Heart 10, my only wish is that I wasn’t located in Kentucky and could say it to the morons face.
January 29th, 2010 at 6:26 pm
Mitch C #126 - the answer to that question is, never
January 29th, 2010 at 6:33 pm
The only way Penn National will get really worried about this is if it effects their ability to own casinos or seek the casino rights in NY. It is pretty obvious that they don’t care what goes on on the backstretch or on the racetrack for that matter.
January 29th, 2010 at 6:33 pm
Mitch C # 125 Norman started about a month or so after Hooper left. Maybe mid June.
January 29th, 2010 at 6:54 pm
Mitch C at post @ #139:
Yes, you did leave some people out and the most important players. Do the horses get a vote???? Oooopps! That’s right. Many are dead already via run into the ground or the killbox.
But please take the time to sue me Mr Gill. For what? Encouraging professionals to make ethical decisions? Encouraging humane ownership? Encouraging the industry to do the right thing with all it’s problems? You hit a seminal moment in the history of racing Mr. Gill…a witnessed jockey revolt/boycott. Pretty impressive.
BTW, if you (your barn, sweetie that you get tax deductions for for racing) have vet receipts for bute and gave any to those horses that wound up in the slaughter pipeline, you broke FDA regs. But don’t worry, the USDA and states don’t enforce the rule. Safe again…just like the Penn, PA State and National race game authorities look the other way with the likes of you.
January 29th, 2010 at 7:07 pm
C’mon, Mike, sue me too, you worthless piece of dirt.
As for your statement that others are jealous of your earnings, was that supposed to be a JOKE? Even a fifth grader knows that when you run bazillions of horses, odds are you’ll win more than the guy who runs a couple dozen. You and I never met because even if I ran up North, I wouldn’t go near you for fear of catching a moral disease. But my uncle, he worked Gulfstream for many, many years. Told me PLENTY ’bout you. You think some old black fellow or Cajun fellow or Mexican fellow on the backside — a person you never deign to notice — you think that old fellow doesn’t know EVERYTHING???
Remember interview you gave after Casual Conflict’s leg went missing, and you told a reporter you asked your vet to remove the leg so your vet could practice doing a myectomy?
Now… why would any vet of YOURS need to practice performing myectomies???
Why don’t you and Ernie Paragallo fall in love, run off and live together on a tropical island? Ernie can breed and race land crabs. You do the same. Then you and he can spend all your time claiming the crabs off each other, and the rest of us in the racing business won’t ever have to think about you again.
January 29th, 2010 at 7:16 pm
Broussard @ #150:
That was pretty funny. Especially Ernie and Gill falling in love and eloping. But it will never be far enough away.
January 29th, 2010 at 7:16 pm
P.S. Mike, horses are “bred” not “bread.” And I’m glad your new hobby of suing “pinheads” will bring you satisfaction. Obviously nothing else does. Were you perhaps born without a scrotum? Not trying to be crude here, just trying to understand why you’re such an unhappy man and why you enjoy being universally despised by what is generally a close-knit community. And I’m not a “blogger” you imbecile. I’m a lifelong horsewoman and former professional rider and racehorse owner and YOU MAKE ME SICK.
January 29th, 2010 at 7:34 pm
Hey D. Masters,
Good point. Is there an island far away which is far enough away??? I’ve never spoken to Mr. Gill — he can call me any time, I’m far from anonymous — but I did have the interesting experience of conversatin’ with Ernie “Pigman” Paragallo one time. Pigman talks real high and squeaky, screechy like a bunch of things with too many legs scuttlin’ through a place you don’t want to be — which was what made me think of land crabs. As for Mike Gill, bet you dollars to donuts he walks past, you gonna hear a scruttlin’ noise, like a hundred thousand cockroaches in the cracks on a clapboard wall.
January 29th, 2010 at 7:51 pm
LJ Broussard, cant you tell. Gill is a very sad case of a man. He enjoys insulting others, and steps on anyone who would dare cross him or even as much as question him on his tactics. Attempts to deflect his own wrongs by making accusations about others. He believes his threats will send people scurrying because they are suppose to cower at his threats. Pretends to be gravely offended when confronted. Thought he was dealing with animals and people who didn’t matter, who he could get to provide him with his source of “entertainment”. The man exhibits narcissistic traits.
Really have to laugh at the thought of he and Paragallo shacked on some island sharing the crabs LOL.
January 29th, 2010 at 8:14 pm
What a total loser.
Mr. Gill can line up in civil court behind Ernie Paragallo, who threatened to sue the police who arrested him for starving all those Thoroughbreds in Columbia County NY. Animal abusers do that - threaten to sue everybody for being “picked on.”
LJ - Brilliant. The possibility of being born without a scrotum never occurred to me as an explanation for being a sociopathic lunatic.
Makes sense; he’d go around thinking the world is his testicle.
January 29th, 2010 at 8:18 pm
RHT, you right, baby: “Gill is a very sad case of a man.”
Can’t wait to see what happens next. Penn jocks unite!!! Agents, don’t put your boys on any hoss belongs to ce fout pas mal!!! Maggie Moss, you my new hero!!! As for Ray Paulick, you the Man!!!
Tee, hee, hee. Mike Gill, wanna come visit Briggs, Texas? Got me one in the barn REAL gentle, I’d just love to watch you ride her. She a smart mare, her. She give you ‘xactly what you deserve.
January 29th, 2010 at 8:51 pm
You are providing some serious comic relief for this horrible situation…thank you! Just have to ask, does anyone know if Cowboy had any success saving any of those Gill horses that may have been sent to Canada for slaughter? There were so many, and I was hoping that maybe against all odds one didn’t get butchered this morning because of the list he was given last night.
January 29th, 2010 at 8:53 pm
LJ Broussard Says:
January 29th, 2010 at 7:07 pm
Lmao I remember Casual Conflict Very well used to watch him job every morning at Palm Meadows sore sore sore.
As for the Vet I know him and he needs no practice doing Myecotmy’s
Oh and for the record every horse back that I know of that got claimed from us got a Myectomy done. Idiot I say he sue us all there wouldn’t be room in the court room for us all
January 30th, 2010 at 9:21 am
LJ Broussard Says:
January 29th, 2010 at 8:18 pm
RHT, you right, baby: “Gill is a very sad case of a man.”
Can’t wait to see what happens next. Penn jocks unite!!! Agents, don’t put your boys on any hoss belongs to ce fout pas mal!!! Maggie Moss, you my new hero!!! As for Ray Paulick, you the Man!!!
Tee, hee, hee. Mike Gill, wanna come visit Briggs, Texas? Got me one in the barn REAL gentle, I’d just love to watch you ride her. She a smart mare, her. She give you ‘xactly what you deserve.
Why don’t you keep your silliness on the Alex Brown FOB CULT forum.
January 30th, 2010 at 12:43 pm
Open letter to Mr. Gill. The jockey boycott and other expert opinions pretty much gives Ray the freedom to criticize you with Supreme Court protection. As long as he isn’t displaying “A reckless disregard for the truth.” he’s protected. You can sue him but you can’t win. And there are wealthy horse owners out there who actually like animals that will be happy to contribute to his defense fund. I’m one of them.
January 30th, 2010 at 5:15 pm
and yet another little note for Mr Gill-
There are enough of us out here who love racing, and even though we don’t make much- we would gladly contribute to his defense as well. In fact- Im sure within the industry itself, there would be enough attorneys would be more than willing to give their serves at a reduced rate. And for the record, Im unemployed for the moment, but Id be more than willing to help pay any fee’s that Ray would run into. In fact Id consider it cheap entertainment to watch you go through such a fiasco, proving to the entire country who doesn’t already know about you- just what an arrogant fool you truly are.
January 31st, 2010 at 11:22 am
i am worried about the fate of a horse that was claimed by Michael Gill named Master Of Disaster…i would like to try and get a group together to get him back and re-home him either at Old Friends or TRF or another rescue, or even at my home farm. I know it is probably a lost cause because of where Mr.Gills horses usually end up but I am willing to try. What worries me is Master Of Disaster hasn’t raced since being pulled up on 12/3/09. So if anyone on here has any info on him,please post here and let me know
January 31st, 2010 at 8:55 pm
I don’t know why I’m responding to this but I feel compelled to give some facts about this “situation”. The reason for not giving my name is because I am involved with Penn National and do not wished to be fingered out. Even though I feel I’m educated I will spell things wrong in this blog and will improperly use grammar, so I appologize. I will first start out by saying that I back the riders at Penn 100%. I said to myself 3 months ago “why do these riders continue to ride for Mr. Gill”? I’m now asking myself “why would I want to ride in a race with one of his horses”? (I’m not a jockey at Penn). While I’ve never been a fan of Mr. Gill, I’m not certain if he should have the crosshairs directly pointing at him! That being said, I still think that he is an “undesireable”.
When Maggie Moss wrote that letter to the paulick report, I thought she went out on a very thin limb. A limb that I don’t think she should be on alone. I know Penn should accept some of this responsibility of the problems we are having. I’ve been to at least 5 or 6 tracks to watch training in the morning and oversee everyday life of the backside. The everyday activities of the horsemen, veterinarians (both state appointed and private), and officials are unnacceptable.
Lets start with horsemen. I’ve seen more sore horses train at Penn, than any other track that I’ve ever been to. Whether it’s jogging, galloping, or breezing you may see a dozen horses a morning that you would think should not be training on that particular day. I do understand that this has been a staple at Penn for a longtime, and MANY trainers are very cappable of training a “special need” horse. The money that is given away there should overtime help this. Why? because horsemen there can now make this their living, they can buy/claim better horses. I’ve seen it at other tracks, and it will happen at Penn. Like in any business “the strong survive”. If you want something bad enough you will work hard for it.
Now onto the private practice vets at Penn. “SHAME ON YOU”!!!!! Everyone at Penn knows that there is not a vet on the ground until 9:30am. Training in the summer starts at 5:30am, and is presently starting at 7:30am. There has been several occasions where a horse has broken down, and I’ve seen trainers, riders and/or other trainers standing with their horse/s waiting for a vet to come to the track. I’m not talking minutes, I’m talking hours!!!! Everyone knows this is true. I’ve seen a trainer breeze a horse and after the breeze the horse broke down and an hour later a vet arrived. All tracks I’ve ever been to, there has always been a practice that was there when training opened. It gets better, there is not one vet one the grounds after the first race. Why is this you ask?? Because there is no more lasix to give!! I’m not saying that I’ve never seen a vet scope a horse after the races, because I saw it for the first time this week. However, this was a new vet that came back to do it for a friend. I personally had a horse get hurt in a race (7th Race). I called my vet and he told me to pop it some bute and I’ll be there first thing in the morning. The horse could not get comfortable all night. I watched my vet drive in around 9:45am, and after three calls, and two hours later he came to treat my horse that slab fractured it’s knee. Once again, I believe that this can change, and most certain needs to change!!!!
Officials, I’m not familiar with this department at all so my comments are just observations. Like any track accept for NYRA I feel that they are being a little stingy in the pockets when it comes to having enough, and sufficient help. Although they have tried to help with the surface, they are not trying to help the surface. Last year there was a survey taken that management handed out asking what we thought about the racetrack. For about three months the track seemed pretty good, but without proper maintance it slipped away and until this winter it was a poor surface. It is once again a pretty decent surface. Management however needs to meet with a regular group of trainers and riders maybe bi-weekly to ask questions, and try to stay on top of this SAFETY issue. It is done at least three other tracks I’ve been to, and all three tracks maintain a good racing surface. Last for management, state vets, at least three or four. Two to check morning horses, and another two for the night races. You could even check them all right before the races. Actually look at them when they gallop out in a race, and come back. You could find at least one a race that don’t come back good.
I know I’m going on and on but I see alot wrong, and I so desperately want to see this sport strive!!!! I was born into it, I love it, I’ll never want to do anything else with my life. Let’s stop the bashing, and lets start fixing!!
I’ve had a bad test before, it was for a tranquilizer (that is legal to have in the barn) but illegal to run on. Was I guilty? Yes, did I do it intentionally? No, it was on the bit of a 2yo that went out to the track, and right after a filly that was in a day later had the same bit in her mouth. It caused her to get a positive test. I said this because “Jamie Ness, Steve Asmussen, Stephanie Beattie, Chris Richard”……I’m forgetting some, are all good people, and do things “right”. They might have gotten bad tests, but the majority of tests came back positive of something that is legal to have in a stable!!! There was a mistake made and it was dealt with. Move on, get back to business. We as a hole are mainly made up of uneducated people (barring owners, commisions, and vets), but we all have some level of common sense, lets use it!!!!
February 1st, 2010 at 12:12 pm
Mr. Gill people are well aware you are the owner of these horses.
Your total lack of respect for horses and the industry have made you a house hold name.
Of course your trainers would not dispute that you have given strict instructions not to run sore horses because they fear they would lose their jobs.
It appears you have chosen to reply for the very first time to toot your own horn.
People are not interested about you or your achievements in the horse racing game when it has come at a grave price just to boost your ego.
I am paying attention “Dean Gill” and I would like to enroll in your class.
By the way Mr. Gill how old are you 10?