Joe Skurt has worn his hat for over 30 years, however it’s the “Evangelist of Racehorse Possession” that finest covers his ardour and expertise. By doing so, he hopes to “join folks with racehorse on pastures and tracks.”
Skirt, who served because the assistant director of the Minnesota Racing Committee after which govt director of the Minnesota Racehorse Engagement Challenge, did his life work to develop the game.
Scurto not too long ago moved to Kentucky to be on the coronary heart of the trade. He shares with Bloodhorse the challenges he faces, how the trade has developed, and why he’s enthusiastic about engagement in any respect ranges.
Bloodhorse: You may have performed quite a lot of roles within the trade, however one of many issues that appear to be a typical thread is that these positions attempt to create engagement and enhance. Why are you so enthusiastic about engagement?
Joe Skurt: In reality, it is first-hand expertise. Proudly owning a racehorse, extra particularly, a racehorse, is what I personally did for me, is that I proceed to construct my ardour. So a number of the finest associates I’ve made by racehorse possession, partnerships and teams that come collectively are connections I’ve made within the trade. The trade is crammed with a number of the finest folks on the planet, from followers to govt suites. That is one thing I wish to share. If you suppose you might have just a little genie within the bottle, you simply wish to exit and share it, and that is what I attempted to do.
BH: You lately moved to Kentucky. Why and why now?
JS: I believe the hot button is what I did in Minnesota with my racehorse engagement venture is really a fruits of my ardour that I can actually contain folks in possession and aftercare. Sadly, a number of the issues that occurred in Minnesota made it a bit harder to proceed with that program, like pockets cash. Actually, my objective was to come back to Kentucky right here. My spouse and I really like Kentucky and have already confirmed that it’s a good determination over the previous couple of months. However I believe the objective was to reborn what I did in Minnesota with my Racehorse Engagement Challenge right here in Kentucky. Minnesota has managed to get 300 new house owners to take part within the race. I used to be capable of get funding for aftercare. This was as much as $300,000 a yr at a stage under $100,000 a yr for aftercare. I used to be capable of work with what I known as an trade chief like Andrew Offerman after I was in Canterbury Park. Kentucky.
BH: What are the challenges you face once you’re in a state that’s thought-about a hotbed within the trade?
JS: Sadly, it is merely about staffing, fundraising and discovering dedication. So there is a group there. OwnerView is there and it does an important job and so they use webinars to new house owners. And the very best races in America are there and so they do an excellent job too. …Griffin Johnson did a giant deal this yr, many individuals have been . However then it’s important to pull folks out, and you should really clarify possession and have a little bit of their arms to make contacts, and now have completely different entry ranges for folks. The trade has microshares with Myracehorse and Wasabi Ventures Stables. However there’s really a stage in all these syndicates and partnerships like BBN Racing, the style of victory that individuals may be concerned of their enterprise right here in Kentucky, and so they’re not all Winster and medallions, Belladonna. We want them to take folks on a cushty stage, and it may very well be by syndicates, and it may be instantly related with the coach. However as you already know, there are a lot of limitations to getting into the game. We actually want management, pull out and steerage, which makes it a lot simpler for folks.
BH: You may have been within the trade for over 30 years. What are you now the largest adjustments which have occurred within the meantime?
JS: There’s a lot written about shrinking foal crops and declining racetracks. I used to be initially from the Chicago space and to see vans like Arlington, my first job was in Arlington Park, and my spouse and I acquired married in Arlington Park. However on the constructive aspect, what I noticed was syndicates and the creation of people that wished to get folks concerned in syndicates. Most of them make no cash. They simply wish to get others into the sport. And I perceive that it is actually constructive for the trade…however these individuals are doing it on their very own and they do not get a lot assist from the trade, so we have come a good distance. If there was a statewide or nationwide effort to do that, I believe Australia and even Europe may actually make use of what you are seeing. So I believe it is coming.
BH: We seemed first hand on the challenges Minnesota faces, significantly in relation to pockets dimension. Is there a practical resolution that works for everybody?
JS: I haven’t got a silver bullet in my pocket, however I believe there is a path the place if the trade was attempting to assist itself, it is not saying that we’ll hand out pockets cash from Kentucky to Minnesota, however what have you learnt? A few of these tracks have a spot for good, strong, gradual racehorses. Now they could not go 1:09 or 1:10. They might go 1:12, however in case you nonetheless had 10 fields, it will likely be the most well liked product in the marketplace. And that is a part of the aftercare we have labored on. Though aftercare is nice, our objective is to get the horses to work that wish to race wholesome and see if there’s something they will do to cut back proprietor overhead or if there’s something they will do to share the prices. There are a lot of individuals who spend their cash on nation membership membership charges and season tickets. Even journeys to Disneyland and Disney World are actually 5 Grands. It is well worth the summer season to personal some racehorses.
And the aspect observe is, after I speak to new house owners in Minnesota, one of many first questions they all the time ask is what occurs to my horse after the race is over. So it was very completely different from after I first began proudly owning horses. That was a query that got here a very long time later.
BH: Did you say that one of many first questions individuals are asking now could be what’s going to my horse be like after the race is over? Aftercare is one thing you might be enthusiastic about. How did you first become involved within the enterprise side?
JS: We have been there. I knew this was pervasive. And wonder has related folks in Minnesota who’re enthusiastic about horses, not essentially thoroughbreds or races. And one of many teams we labored with was known as this previous horse. And I believe Nancy Turner is definitely acknowledged. That is nice. As a result of she took a whole lot of thoroughbred horses prior to now decade and began off fully, so maybe she by no means had a thoroughbred or two, however the keys there are creating them once more. I discovered one other accomplice. I began working as Abhiya on the bottom. This can be a distinctive and unbelievable program that makes use of retired thoroughbreds to work with first responders and veterans returning with Navy Seals and PTSD, working with them to get funding within the state legislature. …There are such a lot of folks on this trade who wish to assist. They want just a little route and mission.
BH: What did we not speak about what readers suppose is essential for you and what you might be doing?
JS: Initially, they will attain out to me personally every time they wish to change into possession of a racehorse. Make these calls. I’m grateful for the truth that I can speak about horses and horse racing daily, each my profession and private. But when it is only one particular person or a company, we expect it’s a necessity as an trade to develop these paths to take the following step, pull folks out and license them, and make the method simpler. And we have to make it extra accessible.
