In just two starts, Tyler tribe reimbursed Tim Martin and Tom Lepic in ways that far exceed monetary value.
Named for Lepic’s 8-year-old grandson Tyler, who has been battling leukemia since being diagnosed in August 2020, the pair have been harvesting from 2021 Iowa Thoroughbred Breeders ‘Association’ Fall Sale mixed goods for only $34,000.
“Prior to the sale, I realized that he had not yet been named and I am delighted that we have a nephew named Tyler who has leukemia. He has a large following on Facebook. and you can go in there and watch Tyler’s Tribe,” said Lepic.
“We thought it would be a noble thing to do something to get him more exposed to leukemia, lymphoma and the whole story. We named him Tyler’s Tribe because we didn’t know what kind of horse we were going to raise. what.”
Tyler James Juhl with Grandpa Tom Lepic
2 year old son of Sharp Azteca bred in Iowa by Clifton Farms and Derek Merkler blew expectations away, becoming the winner of his sire’s first deposit in the Prairie Gold Juvenile Share award on the 9th. July at Prairie Meadows, take it to 8 1/2 the length. His first win was double that, finishing 16 3/4 of the front length.
“Everything was pretty easy for him,” Lepic said. “We went into the winner’s circle and Tim said, ‘Look, Tom, look at Tyler’s Tribe, he’s not even breathing. It’s not even like he’s running a race; this. This is crazy.”
Martin, the gelding trainer, says he is one of the most talented horses he has in his stall.
“I’ve never had a horse that comes close to being this impressive, none of its size,” says Martin. “He’s not just a lucky horse. He’s a big, handsome horse; he has an unbelievable walk.
“He’s got a lot of brains for a 2-year-old, he’s advanced in his mind a lot. He’s very sharp. You take him off the counter and he’s like a baby. old pony; he is quiet.”
Tyler’s Tribe Wins Juvenile Prairie Gold Shares in Prairie Meadows
Although gelding has made something he has purchased several times, his income comes second to his mission – spreading cancer awareness.
“We have fans from five or six different states coming in. We have people flying in from as far as Atlanta to be part of the big Tyler’s Tribe race,” Lepic said. “After the race, Tyler and I both talked to the microphone on our aprons and told the story of how it came to fruition and the fans went crazy. They said they would be there for everyone. race; it’s just a great thing.”
As for Tyler himself, Lepic says he has faced many challenges over the past two years and is very aware of his supporters.
“He was blown away. He was a quiet young man but that night he even shed tears… He had a few friends in the hospital that he knew very well while he was in. that didn’t make it through, so he knew it wasn’t something where everything was fine, and that didn’t happen to him.Even a few months ago, he had a period. really scary.
Tyler James Juhl
“To hold that trophy, he couldn’t believe he was holding such a trophy and seeing everyone there supporting him. It was amazing. He understood he was lucky. what it’s like to be tracked.”
Both Tyler and his horse have promising futures ahead with batting likely aiming for local stakes and a move up the ladder later this year while Tyler continues on his path to remission .
“He’s had a lot of ups and downs and some very serious moments,” Lepic said. “Right now, he’s four or five months cancer-free.
“We’re very excited and we think this is happening for a reason. It seemed like a blessing not only to our family but to so many people around us, and it really made a difference,” he said. So it’s an interesting thing for horse fans to follow.”
