Tony Bradshaw is now a horse owner. Bradshaw won the 2022 Road to Louisville handicapping contest this past spring, and part of his winnings were the option to purchase an Indiana-bred yearling from the Indiana Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association Fall Mixed Sale. The sale took place this past weekend and Bradshaw successfully bid on Jailhouse Justice, Hip No. 36, and is now an owner.
Bradshaw, a native of Louisville, is a longtime horseplayer, attending the races with his grandfather when he was a kid. He's had a passion for the sport ever since his childhood but never had the opportunity to get into the game as an owner. That all changed when the hammer dropped at $8,000 for Bradshaw during the ITOBA Sale on Saturday, Oct. 15 at Horseshoe Indianapolis.
“This has been the most thrilling experience of my life,” said Bradshaw. “It was a little nerve wrecking as the bidding was going back and forth because there was another person wanting the horse too. This is the horse I wanted. Tony Granitz looked at several of the yearlings prior to the sale and gave me a list of those he thought would be in my price range and this was one of them. Of all of them we looked at, this colt was my top choice.”
Granitz was not at the sale due to a previous commitment, but his assistant, Juan, accompanied Bradshaw through the receiving barn prior to the sale to look at the yearlings. Bradshaw and his friend, Bill Kirchner, drove up from Louisville for the sale, and even though they looked at several yearlings, Bradshaw kept going back to Hip No. 36, Jailhouse Justice.
“I don't know, there was just something about him that caught me eye,” said Bradshaw. “Tony (Granitz) said he had good confirmation and he just seemed spirited, and I really liked that. I don't think I'll change his name. I like it and the 'Justice' horses all do very well. In fact, I've already given him a nickname of 'JJ'.”
“JJ” has gone to Elliott Farms in Brookston, Ind. to begin the process of breaking and training. Once the Harry's Holiday colt has advanced, he will then join the Granitz Stable, which winter trains in Florida. Jailhouse Justice will return to Indiana ready for the 2023 racing season in April.
In the meantime, Bradshaw will take care of paperwork through the Jockey Club to become the official owner of Jailhouse Justice. He will also begin the process of creating and ordering silks for “JJ” to carry when his racing career begins next year.
“It was a long handicapping contest and I'm really surprised I was able to stay on top until the end,” added Bradshaw. “The contest was over in May, so it's been a long time since I won it. But it's been fun every step of the way and I can't wait for next year. The whole thing is really exciting.”
Jailhouse Justice was part of the impressive Justice Farm consignment for the ITOBA Fall Mixed Sale. He is the second foal out of the Dialed In mare Sheltowee's Gold, who won four races and more than $70,000 during her career. Jailhouse Justice is both Indiana-sired and Indiana-bred, making him eligible to many stakes races next summer.
The $30,000 promotion for Bradshaw to purchase Jailhouse Justice was a partnership between ITOBA and Horseshoe Indianapolis. The remaining balance goes into Bradshaw's horse account to cover expenses until “JJ” makes it to the races.
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