Top conditioner, Kenny McPeek’s raiding party includes Group performers such as Gr.1 winner Grecko, Gr. 3 Lexington Stakes winner Senior Investment, Graded Stakes-placed turf horse Harlan Strong and Honorable Treasure, who was second to Gr.1 Pegasus World Cup runner Audible in Cherokee Run Stakes (2018).
Three out of his four Dubai World Cup Carnival horses are owned by Paul Fireman's Fern Circle Stables. Paul Fireman led Reebok to becoming one of the most popular shoe companies in the United States before selling it to Adidas in 2005 for $3.8 billion
McPeek chats to Ten Furlongs about the many things that comprise his journey to this Dubai World Cup night (2019):
Q: What does winning on Dubai World Cup night mean to you?
A: We’ve had a couple of nice horses run well on the DWC night in years past, of course winning would be special considering the immense amount of talented horses and horsemen competing.
Q: How did decide which horses would be ideal for your Dubai string?
A: We brought 3 handicap division horses that would’ve been Allowance condition horses in the US. Grecko(Argentina) was pointed to UAE Derby since being purchased. There’s been a learning curve with the Handicap horses and I do believe they were weighted too high in their races, but they’ve made a few dollars in their races. Grecko could make the entire trip a huge success if he runs well.
Q: What do you enjoy most about racing at Meydan?
A: The high level of competition.
Q: You are known for your ability to find diamonds-in-the-rough. Curlin was one such find. Who were the others and what do you look for when you try to find these diamonds?
A: I am fortunate to have a nice base of clientele that buy yearlings at all levels. I started my career with a modest budget so I’ve learned quite a long list of lessons over the last 30 years. Horses come in all shapes, sizes, pedigree, and countries. There is no exact science but more art and instinct. The list of Stakes horses I’ve bought at auction is too long to write here, but I look for a great Hip and balance first. I’ll read into each horse’s pedigree to find the pattern of conformation the horse may resemble. It’s cool stuff and to make a living doing this is nice.
Q: If you could design a horse what would be your criteria for an ideal combination of genes and conformation?
A: Speed rules, but stamina wins classics. Combine the two and you get Champions. There are many sire lines that can offer speed and female lines with class and stamina are important. The fact is that the Thoroughbred is a hybrid animal and these traits can come from any angle of a pedigree. Assume nothing when looking at an individual horse. Some traits you can automatically eliminate a horse from the “type”. Remembering it’s a game of failure.
Q: Are there any sales you like to frequent?
A: Yearlings at Fasig-Tipton July, August and October. Keeneland September is a great sale. I’ve worked English, French, German, Argentina, Brazil yearling sales. I strongly prefer yearling sales over 2 year olds. Anticipating that there will be a day when my sole career will be working sales and no longer training. Time will tell when that day arrives. I’m only 56
Q: Where do your horses go after Dubai World Cup night?
A: Back to Magdalena Farm in Lexington Kentucky for a rest from racing and traveling.
Q: Please tell us more about the values you feel define your passion and how do you see them working for you in real life?
A: I’ve always loved horse and horse racing. My grandmother would have us ride horses after church as a young boy. Finishing college with my degree in hand I went straight to Keeneland to work in the stables. Today, I get to travel and get paid to play the game I loved. What more would a man or woman want in their life?
Q: Who is your racing leadership hero?
A: Several, but Wayne Lukas is a very good friend and his approach always impressed me. Carl Nafzger is a mentor of mine. John Magnier is a genius horseman who I’ve become friendly. Sheikh Mohammed has done things internationally that has lifted the sport. In 2003 I was approached to work for Godolphin but declined because the timing was wrong. Probably should’ve taken the job. Hindsight 20/20
Q: What was the first leadership lesson you learnt in racing?
A: I had some growing pains in the size of the stable and I had to learn to do a better job managing a large group of people. I developed standard operating procedures for my stable 25 years ago that remain in place today. We use the One Minute Manager system and I’ve been told by a client once we were like a Swiss watch. High compliment.
Q: How would you design a truly commercial horse, if you had a way to do so?
A: You would need a top stallion and top mare, but commercial isn’t as important as the results on the racecourse.
Q: How much would you say, faith, friendships and happiness influence your daily life?
A: I certainly believe in a higher power and was raised Episcopal. My best friend is my wife and my time away from horses is always with her and my daughters. I’ve worked to find a balance between my business and family where a man can have the best of both. I trust my staff and don’t obsess about the horses so much the older I’ve gotten. Losing a friend or family member brings perspective. I almost died from a ruptured appendix 20 years ago, lost my mom 10 years ago. I take nothing for granted. “Live everyday like it’s your last, one day you will be right”
Q: When you started racing your horses in the truly iconic races in this world, from those first adventures which one(s) do you remember the most?
A: The Kentucky Derby In 1995 where Tejano Run came second, I was only 32. I met Queen Elizabeth at Ascot in 2004 for the King George, another second with Hard Buck(Brazil). I’ve visited with her at the races a couple of more times. My first DWC the time I met with Sheikh Mohammed at the Desert Party. Cool stuff
Q: As a trainer, what was the most memorable race you remember?
A: Winning the Belmont Stakes with Sarava in 2002. Still a miracle we beat Medaglia d’Oro that day. Also the Travers in 2012 when Golden Ticket dead heated with Alpha
Q: Who is your favourite horse and why?
A: Secretariat was a horse I watched as a young boy. Deputy Minister is my favorite thoroughbred line. Love seeing him in a pedigree. Take Charge Lady is my favorite horse that I trained. Multiple Grade 1 winner, Broodmare of the Year, sweetest filly ever to be around, bought her as a yearling too.
Q: And finally, what or who inspires you to struggle continuously and raise the bar?
A: I’ve got another good decade left in me as a trainer. I enjoy developing young horses and finding that diamond at auction. I’ve got a great group of clients that are a pleasure to work for. Did I mention that my younger daughter is 3? Well, I better be prepared for some more tuition. Finally, I developed the app, Horse Races Now for iPhone and Android phones. It’s a classic startup company and our goal is to bring live and replay horse racing to new and old fans.
Published In Dubai World Cup Gold Souvenir 2019
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Credit: Pallavi Shevade pallavi.shevade@secretariatsworld.com
