Matt Cranium wasn’t born into horse racing, however like so many racing followers, maybe in his blood, because of his nice grandfather “Poppy.” From reunions at racetracks in his childhood to understanding the nuances of betting, to touring to triple crown races with pals, he grew to become an avid fan of the game.
After he graduated from Clemson College with a level in mechanical engineering, Scull was motivated to turn into part of the trade and contacted Amplify Horsing to study extra about its mentorship program. Amplify is designed to attach younger adults with mentors who’re skilled thoroughbred trade specialists, develop necessary expertise within the spring or fall, study concerning the thoroughbred trade, construct relationships, and acquire worthwhile expertise. Cranium was paired with Shannon Castagnola, who labored for Woodford Thoroughbreds because the director of Advertising and marketing and Shopper Relations on the time, and is now director of Airdry Stud’s gross sales and stallion seasons. Cranium mentioned it could assist form his path in sports activities.
Cranium, together with pals Brian Mills and Nick DeMartino, runs First Rodeo Race, a partnership impressed by the shared love of the racecourse and the story of rags like Wealthy Strike, the winner of the 2022 Kentucky Derby. Cranium chatted at America’s finest races about his uncommon path to the thoroughbred trade and his staff’s imaginative and prescient of “fashionable partnership.”
America’s finest race: How did you turn into fascinated about horse racing?
Matt Cranium: My household loves racing and held their annual reunion in Monmouth Park in honor of their nice grandfather, Poppy. Yearly, I grew to become extra by way of “Poppy Day within the Race.”
ABR: What about sports activities that actually related you?
Cranium: The primary was a thrill to decide on a winner. I’ve all the time cherished statistics and information, so when I discovered Bayer’s guide one summer time whereas working close to Monmouth, I used to be hooked. Sharing the picks and planning the Kentucky Derby, Belmont Stakes and Haskell journeys have turn into my favourite hobbies.
ABR: After graduating from college, how did you learnt about amplifying your horse racing mentorship program?
Cranium: I noticed a publish about it on X (Then Twitter). If reminiscence is beneficial, it is a fairly full circle, because it was really shared by the ABR.
ABR: How did Amplify expertise study from this system and your mentor, Shannon Castagnola?
Cranium: This expertise is actually life-changing and I’ll all the time be pleased about what Amplify and Shannon gave me. They gave me the arrogance to step down the bystander and turn into an energetic participant within the sport I cherished. The most important takeaway was to comprehend how accessible horse racing is. The barrier to entry is far decrease than most individuals assume. In case you have ardour and motivation, you’ll completely discover your home on this recreation.
ABR: I learn a visit to Saratoga Race Course and Keeneland for the September sale. It actually helped me strengthen my curiosity in immersing myself in sports activities. What about their journey that raided the home with you?
Cranium: Horse love. I used to be already grateful to the thoroughbred, however going behind the scenes with vehicles and gross sales took it to a different stage. We’re lucky to be a breed and sport steward.
ABR: What did your loved ones assume once you talked about that you simply had been working with horses in Ocala, Florida after learning mechanical engineering at Clemson?
Cranium: At first, my dad and mom thought I used to be loopy, however they inspired me to help me and hedge my bets by sustaining my engineering function. These sensible months had been actually irreplaceable. My entire household supported me all through this journey. I actually hit the lottery with individuals I share with.
ABR: You’re working in your engineering diploma, nevertheless it sounds such as you’ve been bitten by a race bug. Inform us a bit of about First Rodeo Racing, The Identify, and your staff’s inspiration.
Cranium: Our mission is to encourage the following era of homeowners and gamers. It is about taking individuals to see three races a yr, after which turning into an “racing skilled” in workplace water coolers. Possession ought to really feel accessible, clear and enjoyable.
We’re much like different microshare teams, however extra private and directed in the direction of youthful audiences.
The identify displays our mission: chase first. Many companions purchase it for his or her first horse, however I need you to know that it is okay if it is their “first rodeo.” Naturally, he’s the primary to chase on the end line.
Certainly one of my finest pals since highschool, Brian Mills leads our content material and merchandise. Nick Demartino joined within the Northeast this yr to assist. We met at The Travers a couple of years in the past and shortly grew to become shut pals… one in every of many lifelong pals met by way of sports activities.
The principle coach, Thomas Molloy, is greater than only a conditioner. He educated our first winners, helped us develop, and labored as a key advisor. Conor Foley of Oracle Bloodstock has additionally been a casual chief since Amplify’s day. He chooses our ineffective outlook and is all the time beneficiant together with his time and data.
There’s a laundry listing for individuals who helped. That is necessary for brand spanking new individuals to grasp in sports activities. That 9 out of the ten individuals on this sport are glad to assist.
ABR: The primary rodeo web site has a substantial quantity of instructional materials, however how necessary is it to teach your future accomplice?
Cranium: It is the middle. Training and referral is our objective and we offer much more assets by way of the apps we use to replace our companions.
We lately entered right into a partnership with the following common thoroughbred. They goal to encourage the following era of thoroughbred staff. Naturally, this has many instructional alternatives, so we mix assets to amplify the sign.
ABR: What’s your short-term and long-term imaginative and prescient for First Rodeo?
Cranium: Brief time period: Hold chasing tracks on and off first. Our focus is to enhance runners’ high quality whereas rising partnerships in a sustainable means so that each member has a real possession expertise. Yearly, we open new spots and provides extra individuals the chance to say they personal racehorse.
Seeing the primary proprietor on a truck on a horse is all the time probably the most rewarding half. I had a accomplice who got here on the day my first journey to the racecourse owned a number of the runners, and that is precisely what I’ve right here.
Long run: On the finish of October, we’re internet hosting a marquee occasion in Lexington, designed to provide new followers and homeowners that sensible magical second. It presents the chance to get nearer to the horses, trainers and communities that make the race particular. In 5 years, I’ll create touchpoints the place the primary rodeo will host interactive occasions nationwide and make the race extra accessible than ever.
My final imaginative and prescient is that the primary rodeo is each a racing stability and a way of life model with expertise in media, merchandise and possession that builds an enduring group. We would like you to assist gasoline the Renaissance in horse racing within the US. Racehorse possession is probably the most protected secret within the sport, however it’s not.
ABR: Is there anybody within the horse racing trade that you simply actually come out on one thing you admire?
Cranium: There are numerous individuals on this sport I like, however the three of them stand out specifically relating to constructing and working a profitable race secure: Jeff Boschwitz, John Inexperienced and Chase Chamberlin.
Jeff Boschwitz performs Sheffield Racing and manages superb issues. He received 50 occasions in 5 years with out dropping cash. His disciplined analytical strategy is what I attempted to mannequin my choices. On prime of that, he’s beneficiant together with his time and shares invaluable insights to me.
Jon Inexperienced from DJ Steady is somebody I’ve adopted intently by way of his podcasts. I have not missed the episode of “Rail Speak.” I pay specific consideration when discussing methods to marketing campaign many nice horses to put on DJ’s secure silk. Listening to him was like an ongoing masterclass of secure administration.
After which there’s the federal thoroughbred Chase Chamberlin. Not solely did they open the door to new homeowners, in addition they constructed the platform that they had been on for a very long time to win the Kentucky Derby with the Mage. That is an amazing inspiration! Their branding and community-first strategy are fashions that originally portrayed loads of vitality and concepts within the rodeo.
ABR: Do you’ve gotten a favourite racecourse?
Cranium: A yr in the past, I might say Saratoga. It is Keeneland now. Whereas Saratoga is my favourite as a fan, Keeneland units the gold customary for hospitality and presents a top-notch expertise for its companions.
ABR: Who’s your favourite, biggest thoroughbred ever?
Cranium: Mitol. His 2019 Met Mile is engraved in my reminiscence. I used to be in Belmont with a university buddy and he was my prime decide of the day. McKinzie has had a tricky journey, however I do not assume he is ever come… check out Gallop.
ABR: What do you assume sports activities ought to do higher?
Cranium: I usually convey this up on “First Rodeo Radio.” There, we wish visitors to provide you concepts to assist advance the game. My largest level is assembly the individuals they’ve. The race ought to sit alongside mainstream betting choices like NFL props. You must be capable to add “The tenth within the tenth within the tenth” by Kentucky Downs to your TD Parlay at any time. And previous efficiency information needs to be extra accessible. I would like to see newbie instruments like Equinedge accessible at no cost and on sale on huge race days.
ABR: What are your pursuits outdoors of racing? I am an avid sports activities fan and which staff do you want?
Cranium: I am a giant Clemson soccer fan. So it is orange and purple silk. I even have a pure curiosity and love to grasp how issues work, so my interest leaps that means.
ABR: Are there any favourite non-gaze racing sport occasions you attended?
Cranium: Clemson’s 2017 Nationwide Championship in Tampa. I could not afford to purchase tickets as a freshman, however I used to be nonetheless attempting to get in. I saved that story for an additional day!
ABR: I used to be advised I used to be going to attend Keeneland’s annual gross sales in September. Which one is extra thrilling, money out a giant victory ticket or signal a ticket to purchase a racehorse?
Cranium: I will paint a bit off the road and say I am cashing out a giant decide 5 with Brian and Nick. I related with some nice scores of this s
