Letter to the Editor: Mark Antonini

Now that the mental blur that is the holiday season has passed, I wanted to echo, and expand on, the sentiment of the publisher in his New Year's Eve letter, that the racing industry needs to do a better job of taking care of its people. 

As an owner and breeder, I have a significant financial stake invested in each horse of mine that reaches the track. In December, I plan out a budget for each horse for the upcoming year. Beginning last year, with our first runner, we included a new line item entitled “Employee Purse Participation”. 

In addition to the 10% our trainer receives for a 1st through 3rd finish, we pay out an additional 5% total to the three employees we believe are also heavily responsible for the success of our runner: Assistant trainer (3%), primary exercise rider (1%) and groom (1%). Should one of our runners end up being sold privately, all of these percentages will be paid out accordingly, based on the sale price. I haven't yet figured out if/how this would work when a horse is claimed away from us, as there may be instances where we attempt to claim the horse back. 

Nevertheless, we view this as no different than a profit sharing plan for the employees who we believe are directly responsible for our income. 

I instituted this plan after hearing the story of our groom for our 3-year-old filly last year. While working for a different trainer, he was the groom of an extremely successful runner who eventually traded for a multiple seven-figure sum. When it was all said and done, he in no way participated financially from the success, and subsequent sale, of that horse. In my mind, that was a travesty. In my opinion, he was, in some way, directly responsible for the success of the horse, which led to a very profitable sale. He should have been paid something substantial for his role, and, to have done so, would have been “life-changing” for him. 

The finances of this business will probably mean I receive some ire from a certain sect of owners for this idea. With the probability that I will break even on a horse I race at roughly 12-15%, I sometimes question my own sanity in participating in the sport, at least from the financial aspect. The dream of owning a successful racehorse, as well as just the opportunity to physically be in the presence of these majestic animals, keeps me coming back day-in and day-out. Although the costs to participate are daunting, if I'm going to remain in this industry, then it is my belief that I should include these folks in any good fortune I'm blessed to receive. 

Mark Antonini 
Asiago Thoroughbreds