Buy two ponies in 2022 Keeneland The November breeding season doubled the size of Apricot Valley’s purebred broodstock. mares tiptoed and turning point is the latest step in Colin Davis’ methodical entry into the racing game.
Davis, a resident of Cobourg, Ont., is a beginner in racing and owning racehorses, but is already familiar with the sport’s equestrian stars. Growing up, he attended the Standardbred races at Kawartha Downs and over the past decade owned many non-race purebred dogs.
“I have always been interested in horse ownership and management,” says Davis. I’ve ridden a bit myself, but that’s not really my hobby.” “When I used to go to Kawartha Downs in my teens, I found it more interesting to watch the horses than to bet on them.”
When Davis searched for more information on the racing industry, he found Horse Ownership 101 of Ontario Racing. The first meeting with Elissa Blowe provided clear information about the ownership style that aligns with his vision.
“Elissa says I look like the kind of person that within five years could own a handful of mares,” Davis said. “I thought it was interesting that she saw me like that, so we sorted it out a bit.”
New owners have many options when it comes to deciding how they will begin their journey. Owning a brood, the choice that attracted Davis’ interest, was one of the most practiced choices.
“He’s got a ranch and some retired racehorses, so I know he’s got barns and grazing grounds,” says Blowe. “After the hatching idea was born, it all went downhill and the idea just got bigger and bigger.”
Blowe connected Davis with Marette Farrell, a leading blood supply dealer, and he went to Bluegrass State to participate in Keeneland’s November 2021 Pet Breed Sale.
While there are no guarantees in breeding, following a sensible process can help align the deck in your favor, and Farrell and her team have been impressed with Davis since the very beginning. start cooperation.
Farrell said: “The way he talked to me on the phone caught my attention. “I realized that he did a lot of homework about what he wanted to do, how he wanted to do it and what his end goal was, which was to breed good horses. “
Davis spent four days “beating the sidewalk” with Farrell and one of her colleagues, Martin O’Dowd. He left Kentucky with two mares purchased through the Ontario Racing Mare Program (MPP).
MPP is a component of the Purebred Improvement Program. When purchasing mares at accredited public auctions outside the province, Ontario residents may apply for an offer totaling half the purchase price, up to a maximum of $25,000 per mare and $75,000 annually per person or partner.
The two mares that Davis purchased in 2022 were also supported by the MPP.
“(MPP) is the tool,” Davis said. “The first year I would start with one mare, then increase it to two. Every year you try to get economies of scale, but that only sets you back because the work is still the same. old, same cost but inefficient.”
Blowe’s original idea of Davis owning a handful of mares for five years was achieved in less than two years, thanks to the MPP.
“Everybody I mention (MPP) in Kentucky says, ‘Well, I’ve never heard of such a thing,’” Davis said. spend more on mares than some competitors in the bidding, and allow me to get two mares this year when I can only think of one. Honestly, it’s amazing and the best thing I’ve ever seen.”
The program allows Davis to target quality by raising the price at which he and Farrell can purchase mares from proven stallions. Tiz Wonderful’s tiptoe, Breeders’ Cup 2022 winner Juvenile Fillies’ brood is Wonder Wheel and Turn Point is Hard Spun’s.
In 2021, he brings home Johansson of Pioneer of the Nile and Renata of Medaglia d’Oro.
“It’s a great show,” Farrell said. “It’s been done the right way to allow people to step out of the area they’re in to buy something better, and the profits from that will be huge in the future. The goal is to help raise the bar. horse racing quality in Ontario, and I think they’ve been very successful.”
In addition to his burgeoning stallion group, Davis has a hand in racehorse ownership. He’s connected with Sovereign Award-winning trainer Catherine Day Phillips and is a partner on three horses.
One of his horses, an Ontario Bred named Girl Millie race debut in 2022. In her debut July 16th as an owner, Davis won her first special weight class at Honeysuckle.
“Catherine and I are going down the road that lost to Millie Girl, because it looks like she’s dropped to fifth place,” Davis said. “Then my wife started screaming and saying, ‘She’s number one,’ and I was like ‘Oh my god, I missed the whole thing’.”
The Davis family, Colin, his wife and their two daughters Josephine and Felicity headed to the winner’s circle, enjoying the moment. The photo taken that day on the Woodbine lawn hangs in their barn.
That victor’s circle visit was one of many thrills Davis experienced during his Purebred journey. He enjoyed every step of the process, from reviewing the pedigree, breeding his mares into new stallions and watching the children grow and develop on the farm.
Colin said: “It’s all just a lesson; work with Catherine, work with Marette and learn from Elissa. “It’s exciting, and the funny thing is that now I’m helping new owners who are asking the same questions as I was a year ago.”
Davis is eager to share the knowledge he has gained so far, to help anyone interested in the business have the same enjoyable experience as him.
“It’s a different world, with a lot to learn once you step into it,” Davis said. “But if you can bridge that gap, it helps people get in the door, because once you walk through that door, it’s going to be fun.”
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