JC / Railbird

Owners/Owning Archive

Ramsey Fined, Suspended

Give the Kentucky Horse Racing Authority credit for a quick investigation into allegations that Ken Ramsey, a finalist for the Eclipse Award for top owner, attempted to bribe another owner to scratch a horse from a race. A mere week after news of the investigation surfaced, the authority fined Ramsey $25,000 and gave him a seven-day suspension for the matter. This means, though, that of the three finalists for the owner’s Eclipse, one is known for his horses’ not infrequent post race drug positives, and the other thinks he can bribe fellow players to get what he wants. How embarrassing. (Lexington Herald-Leader)
Related: “The bright lining in this case shows we have a racing authority,” writes Jennie Rees, “with some backbone.” (Courier-Journal)

Posted in Owners/Owning on January 18, 2005

Determined to Win

“Michael Gill issued a challenge yesterday to the racing world: If you don’t name him the winner of the Eclipse Award as outstanding owner this year, then he’ll be even more determined to win next year. ‘I’m going to make it so they have to give it to me,’ said Gill, one of three finalists for the owners Eclipse. ‘If I have to win 700 races, then I’ll win 700 races.'” (Baltimore Sun)

Posted in Owners/Owning on January 9, 2005

Filling Time

“You know, one day I bought the horse [in training] and another day I saw this beautiful land in Ocala, these beautiful horses, and I couldn’t get it out of my head,” NHL owner Alan Cohen tells Dave Joseph at the Sun-Sentinel. With his Panthers team spread out across America and Europe waiting for an agreement that will end the lockout, Cohen is keeping busy with racehorses, recently spending almost $2 million on nine mares in foal to top stallions. No plans for the babies yet; Cohen and his trainer are discussing options.

Posted in Owners/Owning on November 28, 2004

Like Going Home

Ken Ramsey, owner of Kitten’s Joy, “is the Thoroughbred-owner equivalent of an oil wildcatter, challenging conventional rules with a common-sense wisdom, daring fate and never afraid of failure.” He should feel right at home in Texas. (ESPN)

Posted in Owners/Owning on October 20, 2004