Monthly Archive

Get To Know Craig Dollase: Training Philosophy, Awesome Gem, Favorite California Restaurants: Feb 29 2012 - 9:38am · By EFinley · Comments: 4 · Share
Craig Dollase is our main trainer on the West Coast and conditions stable star Awesome Gem. We sat down with the lifelong horseman to find out the scoop on his favorite runners, his training philosophy, the best place to find a good steak in Southern California - and, of course, his 2012 campaign plans for the Gem. Craig heads to the Barretts 2-Year-Old in Training Sale with Terry and the rest of the WPT buying team next week. He’ll train any purchases we make out there. Continue »
Video Blog: The Role of Jockey Agents: Feb 23 2012 - 6:10pm · By tfinley · Comments: 2 · Share
Let’s tackle the jockey agent/trainer relationship, one of the most complex interactions in the sport of kings. There are a lot of politics involved, but we all know jockeys and the guys who manage their riding assignments are vital to our success. I try my best to stay out of the jockey selection process as a racing manager; for the most part, we let our trainers take care of booking riders for our horses. If you have any questions about why or how a particular rider ends up on a particular horse of ours, shoot me an email. Terry Continue »
How Does WPT Racing Partnership Chose Trainers?: Feb 14 2012 - 9:34am · By JLifson · Comments: 4 · Share
Stop by a racetrack. Stroll past a barn. Peer down the shed row past the horses nibbling on hay. Look into the office. See that lady on the phone, talking with one of the owners about an upcoming race for the next budding star? That gentleman marking up charts that will determine each horse’s workout activity for the following morning? The person leaving the office, entering a stall, and feeling a filly’s legs to see if the vet needs to be called? That’s the trainer. In horse racing, you need one. Continue »
Terry on the WPT Pricing Model: Feb 9 2012 - 3:47pm · By tfinley · Comments: 0 · Share
In this blog, I discuss the WPT pricing model, explaining the markup process and breaking down acquisition costs (including expenses like vetwork and heart scans). Did you know each WPT partnership includes pre-funded training fees through the end of the runner’s 2-year-old year? Did you know we register with the SEC in every state our investors reside in? If you have any questions, contact us and we can walk you through the model in detail. Continue »
Partner Fred Odell: Racing Brought My Family Together: Feb 7 2012 - 11:49am · By EFinley · Comments: 1 · Share
Fred Odell became a Partner with West Point Thoroughbreds last summer. A financial advisor from Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania, he remarked, “sometimes that can be a stressful job, but when I’m around the horses I’m completely relaxed.” Here, WPT learns more about the man and how thoroughbred racing brought his family together. Continue »
Get To Know WPT's Shannon Castagnola: Feb 6 2012 - 3:05pm · By EFinley · Comments: 4 · Share
Shannon Castagnola joined the West Point team in 2008 as a Midwest Associate and Director of Client Relations. A lifelong horselover and Kentucky native, she brings natural enthusiasm for the sport and a strong background in equine sales gained through more than a decade with Taylor Made Farm to her job. Here she details her background, takes us through a typical “day in the office,” and talks about the West Point runners she loves. Continue »
Terry's Video Blog: Relationship Between Owner and Trainer: Feb 3 2012 - 5:40pm · By tfinley · Comments: 8 · Share
Terry dives into the relationship between owner and trainer, one built on trust and confidence. WPT teams with trainers with proven records of success that have strong communication skills. Our trainers realize they’re working with a partnership, a group of people that have pooled their money together with the hope of achieving racing success. Continue »
Horse Racing: It's a Family Affair: Feb 2 2012 - 11:34am · By DFinley · Comments: 2 · Share
Imagine the roar of the crowd as your horse turns down the lane... the jockey jostles into position... the runner pushes through to finish a head in front... then you and your family are standing side-by-side in the winner’s circle! If you’ve been fortunate enough to experience the thrill of horse racing then you’re already familiar with the adrenaline rush it gives you. Well, imagine the thrill of knowing that you own the winning horse with your friends, family, or associates. Continue »