Driven to Succeed

Introduced to horses before she could even walk, Andie Biancone worked her way through the ranks before getting her first full-time job on the backstretch three years ago. However, what the 22-year-old may lack in longevity, she more than makes up for with commitment, a strong work ethic and unbridled enthusiasm for the game. Also standing firmly behind the aspiring trainer is her father, international horseman Patrick Biancone, who trained a slew of equine stalwarts, including consecutive G1 Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe winners All Along and Sagace, in addition to dual Grade I-winner Lion Heart, runner-up in the 2004 GI Kentucky Derby.

The daughter of Elaine Biancone, a former Miss Hong Kong, Andie was three when she moved to Arcadia, California after her father relocated his international base of operation stateside. She began riding at age seven, and by 11, she was at the track every weekend morning, walking hots at her father's Santa Anita-based string before heading to the showgrounds to work off her riding lessons in the afternoons.

“I really appreciate that he never got me my own horse,” said Biancone. “I think it taught me a very good work ethic.”

According to Biancone, there were many lessons learned throughout those formative years, chief among them a lesson gleaned from an exchange between the then 14-year-old, who was struggling to master the finer points of riding, and her father.

“I just remember not being able to get anything right,” she recalled. “I would always miss distances to jumps, and felt like I was messing everything up. He said, 'Andie, why should your horse trust you if you don't trust your horse?' It just blew my mind. From that day on, those words have always stuck with me and I think by him teaching me that, that has helped me understand how to develop relationships with horses that go past just being a rider on a horse.”

And while those lessons have proven invaluable, they weren't always easily come by.

“He's pretty hard to work for I have to say,” she said of the Frenchman. “And he honestly he treats me a little bit different than anybody else in a sense where he makes me work harder. He doesn't care that I'm a girl, he doesn't care that I'm his daughter. He treats me just the same as the boys, [and expects me to] ride the same horses as them.”

A Labor of Love
After making the move to Florida, Biancone completed a 2-year Associates of Arts degree at Palm Beach State, while working as an assistant and later, an exercise rider, for her father's Florida-based operation. After attending the University of Florida last year, she decided to take some time off to focus on horses, and plans to return to her studies as early as this fall.

“[Racing] is such a labor of love,” Biancone said. “Why else would we work every single day, 365 days a year, Christmas, weekends, sometimes 12 or 15 hour days? It's nonstop. I think people don't often realize that it is the love that keeps it going. You know, I wouldn't want to do anything else besides wake up at four o'clock in the morning and get on these horses. It's the best thing in the world.”

Among the horses that really struck a chord with Biancone since joining her father's operation is Diamond Oops (Lookin At Lucky). A two-time stakes winner at two, the bay spent most of his sophomore season on the sidelines due to injury. Victorious in Gulfstream's GIII Smile Sprint in his third start back last July, he subsequently finished runner-up in both the GI Alfred G. Vanderbilt H. and the GI Shadwell Turf Mile. Most recently, he won the Dec. 21 GIII Mr. Prospector S.

“[Diamond] Oops is the best thing that's ever happened to me. He really is,” Biancone said with enthusiasm. “To have such a good relationship with them and they try so hard for you. You know what I mean? Just getting to be around him is so special. He means everything to me.”

Another horse that is quickly becoming one of Biancone's favorites is Sole Volante (Karakontie {Jpn}, purchased by her father for $20,000 at OBS last April. Gifted a half interest as a birthday present by her father, the gelding, who is co-owned by Limelight Stables Corp., won his debut at Gulfstream Park West in October before taking the one-mile Pulpit S. at Gulfstream Nov. 30.

“I really didn't like him at first,” Biancone admitted. “He was super nervous, but as soon as we gelded him, he has become a completely different horse. He went from this skinny, scrawny animal to where he's put on at least 150 pounds. He's so confident in himself now and he's realizing what he can do. It's the best thing ever to watch.”

Asked about her thoughts on becoming a first-time horse owner, she said, “My dad tells me all the time that's why he wanted to include me in [the ownership of Sole Volante], so I could really learn the value of money in this business. And I've learned it goes quickly as well as what you have to invest to get in return. I understand that now, but it has been a little shocking. A necessary lesson though.”

Not without its challenges along the way, Biancone admits her maiden voyage into ownership has proven far more rewarding than initially anticipated.

“Honestly, it's been surreal,” she said. “My dad and I sat down and we designed my silks together and it was really special. It's so special to be part of a horse like [Sole Volante] and to say I own him and to see my silks in a race. It's just such a wonderful thing to share with my family.”

Having annexed both prior victories on the turf, the newly-turned sophomore finished third in the Jan. 4 Mucho Macho Man S. at Gulfstream. Expected to appreciate more distance, Sole Volante looks likely to tackle two turns next time.

She said, “Obviously, at this time of year, if you have a nice [3-year-old], and they take to the dirt, you've got to go [Kentucky] Derby dreaming, right?”

But, despite the risk of developing full-blown 'Derby Fever', Biancone admits her wish for 2020 is a little more pragmatic.
“I think to just win a race, any race, I would have the best time,” she said. “It's just so special to see the horses grow up day in and day out. I think, to just be a part of any win is special, so it really wouldn't matter to me.”