UPDATES FROM THE TRACK AND THE FARM

TAILWIND SYNOPSIS

Before 1992 we raced in partnership. In1992 we started our own business and called it Tailwind Racing Inc. We only raced in California.

In 2004 and 2005 we had a wonderful run with Con Quixote winning the Bulldog Stakes etc.

On March 31, 2007 Tailwind Racing was listed in the Thoroughbred Times as the 3^rd leading breeder in California by state-bred earnings per starter. (see page 23 of the Thoroughbred Times Today April 1, 2007 ) Click to read more We are very proud of our Cal-Bred horses. We only raise Cal-Breds with an occasional Kentucky Bred.

Also in 2007 we had a real run with Swiss Current, Swiss Yodeler's leading 4 year old mare. She was the winner of the CTBA Marian Stakes, took 2nd in the WinStar Oaks in New Mexico, the Pacific Heights and Cal Cup Juvenile. With a 3rd in the Cal Cup Matron and placing in the Torrey Pines. Swiss Current is now a broodmare in Australia. Her full sister, Swiss Charm is racing in California.

In 2008 we were excited to have five home breds racing in Southern California. That’s 100% of our racing crop on target. From one super mare, we had three fillies (2, 3 and 4 years old), from different sires, all under tack..

In 2009 we had another year of racing with the main focus on sales. We also changed trainers and are now with Eoin Harty and Mike Puype.

In 2010 we had 5 horses raised at the ranch training and racing in Southern California. We had 3 horses claimed away from us and one died on the track. Top Seeded retired from racing and is now a broodmare.

In 2011 we had a wonderful win with Lady Liam who is now with Bruce Gibbs in Kentucky at Greenfield Farms. She was bred to Street Sense and is now in foal.

In 2012 Top Seeded, She's Smashing and Hail Squall are all at Magali. Top Seeded will be bred to Good Journey. Hail Squall will be bred to Giacomo. She's Smashing was bred to Giacomo and is now in foal.

FARM NEWS

Our ranch manager is Javier Lopez, who with his wife Maria and two children, live at Tailwind Farm. Javier has been with us for 11 years. He knows the ropes well and has made the management comfortable for us. He is well liked by the horses, and shows his skills of organization and personal attention in his position. He anticipates my thinking and is not afraid to take action when necessary. Maria is an excellent groomer. She has an excellent work ethic and works very hard. She is very neat and at one time was a professional gardener. Our fields are immaculate and the bloom all over is a joy to see. Both Lopez's are proud of their horses and fields; their up beat feeling transpires throughout.

Javier does an excellent job of breaking and conditioning the yearlings. In California, our yearlings go to Magali Farms where Tom Hudson oversees their pre-race training. We have used this system of preparation for many years. When Tom says they are ready, Eoin Harty or Mike Puype take over. Layups or horses that need a break go back to Magali or the farm.

Careful handling and “building the will to win” are important parts of the process.

SOME THOUGHTS ON THE FUTURE

California racing has a great history and many wonderful classy people have put good money and effort into the sport over the years. This heritage should not be lost. We recognize several tracks are finished. We hope the proposed new tracks in California will take notice of marketing at Del Mar and the importance of location which plays a big part in bringing crowds to the races. Tracks need to be relocated or rebuilt (facelifts front and back) to become part of the 21st century. Everyone gets excited when venues are new, clean and upbeat. People in California only need some encouragement to come have fun, and appreciate the classic sport in a beautiful setting.

The positive horse stories are seldom told, so the interest and the passion for the sport is stagnate. Each year “at Derby time” there is a story about a particular horse. Everyone is excited to watch him race. The media coverage is good during the six weeks of the Triple Crown. The gambling aspect is also an important part of racing but should not overtake the athlete and the sport.

There needs to be tremendous improvement on the West Coast for racing to continue. It’s a dying sport. Gary Stevens’ TV coverage is right on. He communicates beautifully to the breeder and owner.TVG is helpful in making the racing picture more accessable and calrcing.com is full of necessary information, greatly appreciated. Trainers with web sites and email addresses are greatly appreciated by owners and breeders. The use of the internet has been enormously helpful for many of us. Madeline Auerbach is to be commended for her efforts in forming CARMA, which will be instrumental in providing funding for the retirement of race horses.

The Breeders Cup is exciting financially. Zenyatta, Goldikova and Havre de Grace have been great for the industry.

The California legislators need to support the industry and the breeder. Purses for Cal-Breds must increase to compete with New York etc.