Jen Roytz | Horse Racing Free Tips

Q&A with Riley Mott

Riley Mott, a longtime assistant to his Hall of Fame father, Bill Mott, recently announced he was going out on his own. The 30-year-old will hang his own shingle after taking out his training license. Jen Roytz sat down with the younger Mott for this Q&A.

JR: What has it been like coming up under your father?
RM: To be honest, it's been like going to Harvard for horse training. Not only learning from him but from everyone involved in our operation, all the way up and down the ladder. I've gained knowledge from everyone in our barn at one point or another in my life. I have a great blueprint on how to run my business and feel very equipped for what lies ahead.

JR: Describe the type of horseman you are?
RM: I try to be patient and understanding towards the horses first and foremost. It's quite amazing what they allow us to do with them when you take a step back and think about it. They're such amazing animals. All horses learn and adapt at their own pace and I find it helpful to be cognizant of that while training.

JR: Describe the responsibility that comes with being a trainer.
RM: As a trainer you are the absolute insurer, so you have all of the responsibility. I've learned that you have to follow your gut and be confident in the decisions you make. Attention to detail and surrounding yourself with good staff can't be overstated.

JR: What is your favorite aspect of horse racing?
RM: I would say the lead up and anticipation of a race is my favorite aspect. It's basically a crescendo of blood, sweat and tears from the breeders, sellers, breaking farms and trainers (and many more parties in between) to get a horse in the starting gate for a race. And if you win, even more thrilling.

JR: What horses have had the biggest impact on your life?
RM: My dad has always said Theatrical (Ire) probably had the biggest impact on his life. The horse paid for my parents' first house in New York and they were able to start our family from there. Maybe if it weren't for Theatrical I wouldn't exist, so for that reason, Theatrical.

JR: Talk about some of the horses that have taught you the most?
RM: We've had a number of horses who I would consider “projects,” whether it be for soundness or temperamental reasons. There have been times where I've only seen a dead end with them, but we've given them the time required to get right and it's worked out well. I've learned that if they can go on and win a race down the line, it's worth giving the horse a fair chance, even if the end goal is well in the future.

JR: What is one of your biggest professional accomplishments?
RM: I've been involved in a number of champions, classic winners, Grade I winners, etc. I would consider all of those team accomplishments rather than my own accomplishments. There's no one person who is responsible for any of those successes, but I take a lot of pride in the horses our team has been able to develop.

JR: What are some ways trainers and their staff can improve the racehorse ownership experience?
RM: It depends on the ownership group. Some owners are happy to let you do your thing and see you over in the paddock for the race. Others enjoy being more involved in the day-to-day happenings. I believe in flexibility and having an open door for your clients. We're not just in the horse training business, but the service business as well. My goal is to get creative and introduce some new ways to involve our clients.

JR: In what ways do you think HISA will change racing in the coming years?
RM: I think it will ultimately create a more level playing field, which I would say most people are in favor of. In theory, horsemanship and skill will be rewarded. Some of the bookkeeping requirements appear to be rather tedious, but I'm confident the rules will evolve over time and the record-keeping system will be a bit more realistic. It would be nice to see uniformity without getting too radical.

JR: What (so far) has been your most memorable moment in racing?
RM: Country House's [Kentucky] Derby was quite wild. Not because that's how we wanted to win the race, but the roller coaster of emotion it took us on was pretty unique. From one extreme to another and everything in between. Experiencing it with my wife Megan was also very special. Both the positives and the negatives of the situation are something I'll never forget.

JR: What do you think horse racing is doing right?
RM: One thing that appears to be regularly overlooked is the amount of jobs our industry provides. Between the backstretch workers, administrative workers, frontside workers, maintenance teams and so on, it takes armies to operate a race meet. That's something I've been so proud of in regard to my parents' business over the years. Providing work for families is very honorable and something I hope to do in the same capacity going forward.

Mott with MGISW Yoshida (Jpn) | Emma Berry

JR: Do you ride, and if so, what is your riding background?
RM: I ride the pony every day, that's the extent of it. His name is Round, a Claiborne homebred who we raced. By Arch, out of Enth, half to multiple stakes winners. He catches the eye.

Think Fast…
JR: Most used app on your phone
RM: Dark Sky

JR: What is a good book you've read lately
RM: More of a past performance guy

JR: Favorite racing movie
RM: Seabiscuit

JR: What do you enjoy doing outside of work
RM: Golf and family time

JR: What is the last thing you Googled
RM: Best brand of electric scooter

JR: What do you wish you learned sooner
RM: I didn't learn how to ride a bike until I was about nine

JR: What skill are you still honing
RM: Everything. You're never a finished product.

JR: What trait most defines who you are
RM: Positive

JR: Favorite quote or motto
RM: Hindsight is everything in the game of horse racing

JR: What food (or drink) can you not live without
RM: Erma Scott's shepherd's pie

JR: What is a nickname that people call/have called you?
RM: Riles

JR: Go-to breakfast
RM: Coffee

JR: Go-to cocktail
RM: Casamigos margarita

JR: Go-to karaoke song
RM: Whatever song my 10-month-old daughter has been listening to

JR: What sports teams do you follow
RM: Kentucky Wildcats basketball/football. Cam Smith is my favorite golfer.

JR: What was the last show you binge watched
RM: Too embarrassed to say

JR: If you could have one super power, what would it be?
RM: Teleport

JR: What is the worst fashion (or hair) decision you've ever made?
RM: Middle school: surfer hair. Polo shirt with gym shorts.

Follow Riley on Twitter: @Riley_Mott

The post Q&A with Riley Mott appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

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Evolution of the Nursemare Business

From the moment a newborn foal enters the world, it has a bevy of hopes and dreams riding on its back. Ideally a newborn overcomes life's first few challenges in short order–it is delivered without incident, gets to its feet and nurses for the first time, consuming the colostrum and receiving the vital antibodies necessary for the foal to develop its immune system.

Unfortunately, things don't always go as planned. Whether due to dystocia, a lack of milk production or a mare who is simply not the motherly type and rejects the foal, scenarios may play out that prevent a foal's biological dam to adequately care for it, necessitating the immediate need for a surrogate mare to step in and take the place of the foal's actual mother.

For decades, the nursemare business has been a vital part of the breeding industry, proving a life-saving service at a critical time. But, it has also been rife with controversy.

Traditionally, in order to bring the nursemare into lactation, the mare was bred and its biological foal was taken away so the mare could care for the newborn in need. In the best-case scenarios, these foals were bottle fed and raised as orphans, however many were simply thought of as a byproduct of the business and ended up neglected or killed.

Hormonally Induced Lactation

In recent years, an alternative to traditional nursemare practices has been developed; one that allows the mare to be brought into lactation without having to produce a foal as a byproduct of the process. In its simplest sense, hormonally induced lactation tricks a mare's body into producing milk without the mare having to be pregnant.

Lauren Phoenix, owner of Nursemares of the Northeast and Nursemares of Kentucky, provides hormonally induced nursemares for Kentucky, Ohio, West Virginia, Tennessee, North Carolina, South Carolina, Indiana, Illinois and Missouri. They can also make special accommodations for needs outside of their regular service area or can refer people to other such providers throughout the country.

“Typically, through hormonally induced lactation, we can get a mare to produce really good milk within 11 to 14 days,” said Phoenix. “Every mare is different and it's a very regimented process to get them induced to lactate and often we need to adapt to the individual and think outside of the box.”

Phoenix and her team take a hands-on approach, managing and overseeing the introduction of the foal to the nursemare and troubleshooting any potential issues.

“We go through the same procedures and precautions for each mare, whether it's her first time being a nursemare or she's been doing it for years. It's an intricate process and we wait for certain signs and signals at every step of the introduction before proceeding,” said Phenix. “Thanks to these decisions made in the moment based on what I've learned over the years, we can pretty much get any mare to not just take a baby, but to love, protect and care for it as if it's truly their own.”

According to Phoenix, she and her team have a near 98-percent success rate. In the event that issues arise, they work with the foal owner to either work through the challenges or deliver a replacement mare from their herd.

What Makes a Good Nursemare

Being a nursemare isn't a role for which all mares are well suited. It takes a kind and adaptable mare to take on another's foal and raise it as her own.

Phoenix looks for mares that have had a few foals in the past and have proven to be a good mother and seemed to enjoy raising a foal.

“We look for mares who are kind, easy to handle and don't have any major bad habits or dangerous behaviors,” said Phoenix. “While we serve major breeding operations, we also provide mares to private people as well, so it is important for the mares to be safe and easy for anyone to handle.”

The majority of the mares in Phoenix's herd are adopted from previous clients or from rescues or Thoroughbred aftercare organizations, offering such horses a unique opportunity for a second, third or even fourth career.

“The business of providing nursemares used to be rather secretive due to what happened with the nursemares' biological foals. They often weren't cared for very well and there was no honor being given to these mares who were literally saving lives,” said Phoenix. “We take very good care of our mares. They're vaccinated, well-handled and loved, and it shows.”

A New Age of Nursemares

Phoenix originally started her groundbreaking approach with Nursemares of the Northeast, a New York-based farm that serves as her homebase to this day. As demand grew and she was getting more calls from breeders in Kentucky and the surrounding states, she decided to expand and opened up a second facility, Nursemares of Kentucky.

“When I started in New York, my goal was to perfect the practice of hormonally inducing mares to lactate and over the years we've perfected how we introduce the mares and foals,” she said.

One of many farms that has utilized Phoenix's services this season is Win-Mick Farm in Versailles, Kentucky. After seeing several posts about people utilizing the services of hormonally-induced nursemares, farm manager Justina Severni reached out to Phoenix about reserving a nursemare to step in for one of their mares who has a history of rejecting her foals. Little did she know, that would be one of two nursemares she would need this season.

“We made plans to have a nursemare on hold for a mare we have who is aggressive toward her foals, but then we had a second mare whose uterus tore during delivery and needed surgery. With the trauma and recovery, she was not producing enough milk, so after five days we went ahead and got a nursemare for her foal.”

Severni said Phoenix's staff at Nursemares of Kentucky were extremely responsive and attentive, managing the bonding process between the mares and their adopted foals.

“They came out and stayed with the mare and foal until they were fully bonded and the foals were nursing. It took a bit longer with the five-day-old foal, but they knew exactly how to handle it,” said Severni. “Their approach is a much more ethical way to produce a nursemare and their customer service was incredibly helpful. They followed up numerous times afterward to make sure things were continuing to go smoothly and to answer any questions we might have.”

Phoenix says she and other hormonally induced nursemare providers have seen a steady uptick in their business in recent years. People are eager to learn more about her approach and, when the unfortunate need arises, utilize a nursemare option that is more ethical.

“One day I was in the stall with one of our mares and was thinking about that saying, 'Blessed are the broodmares,'” she recalled. “Then it hit me, and in that moment I thought about the follow-up, 'but heaven-sent are the nursemares.'”

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Kirsten Green Named RRP Executive Director

Kirsten Green, the Retired Racehorse Project (RRP)'s managing director who served as interim executive director following the departure of Jen Roytz near the end of last year, has been named the new executive director of the organization. A national search by a hiring committee comprised of board members was conducted only to turn to Green, who is the RRP's longest-serving staff member.

“The hiring process made us hopeful for the future of Thoroughbred aftercare based on the quality of applicants who applied and their passion for the mission,” said RRP board chair Sue Smith. “After an extensive review process, the hiring committee ultimately made a determination based on the candidates' understanding of the industry, ability to guide and oversee a non-profit organization, and their vision for the future. We feel confident in our selection and are eager to expand our mission under Kirsten's leadership.”

A Maryland native, Green began as an RRP volunteer in 2012 and joined the organization in 2014. She has played an integral role in the RRP since, supporting its first two executive directors and ensuring the ongoing operations of the organization, implementation of events and initiatives, and serving as the direct report for an expanding staff. As executive director, Green will be responsible for building upon the partnerships established by Roytz with a particular focus on strategic planning and broadening the RRP's reach.

“Taking over the role of executive director for the RRP is an honor,” said Green. “Serving under Jen Roytz and Steuart Pittman has allowed me to experience the growth of the organization from the front row and to learn from their perspectives and vision. Through their leadership, the RRP has solidified itself as an essential part of the aftercare landscape, leveraging the market to find next-career paths for hundreds of horses annually and steadily increasing their value. I'm thankful to be following in their tracks as well as to have the support of an incredibly talented and passionate staff and a diverse and dynamic board of directors. I'm excited to work with each of them to advance our charitable mission and define what's next for the organization.”

Roytz served the RRP for four years as executive director before stepping back last year. “For as long as I've been involved with the RRP, Kirsten has been a key factor in its growth and success and I am so very pleased to see her step into this role,” she said. “Over the past decade, the RRP has grown to serve a critical role in aftercare, working to create demand for Thoroughbreds as sport horses, and in doing so, increasing the number of equestrians eager to adopt or purchase them at the conclusion of their racing careers. But there is much more that can and needs to be done. Her vision for the future of the RRP–and potentially for Thoroughbred aftercare as a whole–is forward-thinking and inspiring.”

The post Kirsten Green Named RRP Executive Director appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

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Amplify Reopens Mentorship Program Application

Edited Press Release

Amplify Horse Racing, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit promoting education and careers in the Thoroughbred industry to youth and young adults, has reopened its mentorship program application for 2022. The program formalizes the process of pairing young adults interested in pursuing a Thoroughbred industry career, with experienced industry professionals who can offer guidance.

The initial pilot program, launched in 2021, matched 12 individuals from eight different states with industry mentors. The pairs worked together for three months to develop their knowledge of the Thoroughbred industry, and create an educational plan that included tailoring resumes to be applicable to the industry, shadowing mentors at industry events, and applying for jobs and training programs.

Nearly all mentees from 2021 have since taken steps toward pursuing a career in the industry by enrolling in college equine programs, being hired for industry internships and jobs, or targeting vet school.

The objectives of the program are:

Improve accessibility of the Thoroughbred industry
Develop newcomers' understanding of the industry by leveraging the passion, knowledge and experience of industry professionals
Facilitate meaningful conversations between young adults and industry professionals about employment expectations
Create a pathway to employment by connecting education and workforce

Mentee candidates should demonstrate a strong interest to learn and desire to work in the Thoroughbred industry. The suggested age range is 18-25, and there are no restrictions based on academic achievement. Amplify prioritizes applicants with little to no industry work experience, and they must be residents of the United States or Canada. The 2022 program application timeline is Jan. 10 through Aug. 12, and the program duration for each mentor-mentee pair is three months, as determined by acceptance and start date. Eligible mentors can apply at any time.

Amplify Horse Racing is driven by Annise Montplaisir, the organization's Co-Founder and President, and Equine Education Coordinator for the Kentucky Equine Education Project (KEEP) Foundation.

“I am pumped for Amplify Horse Racing to resume offering this mentorship program,” said Montplaisir. “It is an amazing inlet for young adults to take their first steps into the industry with the guidance of someone who has already navigated that path. Additionally, it's a great way for industry employers to positively educate about the sport, the jobs that are in high demand, and the best way to prepare for a career.”

“The Amplify Mentorship Program is a fantastic way for students with an interest in exploring careers in the Thoroughbred industry to make connections and develop a professional network,” said Jen Roytz, who served as a mentor in 2021. “Amplify does a fantastic job of laying out a framework for the mentors and mentees to follow, allowing students to gain an appreciation for the array of career opportunities that may be complementary to their college major, work experience, strengths and interests.”

“The Amplify Horse Racing Mentorship is an amazing way to make connections and network within the industry,” said Trisha Smith, a 2021 mentee. “I do not come from an industry background, and feel that programs like this are crucial to help new people get into the sport. Everyone I met as a result of the program was so helpful during my job search. [Program coordinator] Annise Montplaisir was very supportive throughout the program, and because of various job posts she sent me, I am now living my dream and working in the Thoroughbred industry.”

To learn more about the program and apply today, visit amplifyhorseracing.org/mentorship, and contact info@amplifyhorseracing.org for more information.

The post Amplify Reopens Mentorship Program Application appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

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