Page 163 - Speedhorse February 2020

Eyesa First, a top Helmuth mare,
won the Kansas Futurity at The Woodlands in 2005.
Eyesa First, whom the Helmuths consider one of their top broodmares, produced the likes of...
WINDING DOWN
Now semi-retired, the Helmuths spend a lot of time in Sarasota, Florida, in the winter. Fred also collects antique tractors and participates in tractor pulls. “Anything that costs money, I like to do,” he jokes.
But they can never stay away from home too long, as they miss spending time with their seven grandchildren, all of whom live nearby in Illinois.
Their success in horse racing and in business, says Sherry, is due in part to their upbringing in the Amish Mennonite community in the Arcola/ Arthur area. “They were taught to help their neighbors, and that when you do the right thing, blessings follow.”
Both the Haveners and Bubba agree that the Helmuths are “dream owners.” “There are very few individuals who completely allow a trainer — or anybody who’s running their business for them — to do what they want,” says Sherry. “Although we would still run decisions by them, Fred and Carolyn always went along with us. And very few people handle things like Fred does; if you were in a big race and someone interfered with you and caused the outcome to change, he could just shrug it off and say, ‘Things like that happen.’”
“They’re very knowledgeable, but they trust me,” adds Bubba. “They never second-guess me. They’re really great people and they have a lot of good, well- bred mares. I wouldn’t trade them for the world.”
BV Valentine Wagon, won the Prissy Gold Digger Handicap at Remington Park in 2012.
BV Comeback Kid, won the OQHRA Fall Classic at Will Rogers Downs in 2019.
Corona Cayenne, a top Helmuth
broodmare, is the dam of...
BV Sheslikethewind won her trial to the Ruidoso Futurity last year, qualified and finished second by a head in the $1,000,000 finals.
BV Never Let Go, won the Oklahoma Horsemen’s Association Futurity at Fair Meadows in 2010.
BV Pepper Shaker won his trial to the 2013 Heritage Place Futurity and finished fourth in the Grade 1 finals.
Corona Cayenne winning her trial to the 2005 Speedhorse Gold & Silver Cup Futurity.
BV Sheslikethewind
BV Never Let Go
BV Pepper Shaker
SPEEDHORSE, February 2020 161