Page 166 - January 2017

Horses are my love. It’s what keeps me going.
Rodney Reed
by John Moorehouse
NAME: Rodney Reed
HOME BASE: Wapanucka, Oklahoma YEARS OF EXPERIENCE: 44
STATES IN WHICH YOU TRAIN: Oklahoma, New Mexico, Indiana, Texas
FAVORITE HOBBY AWAY FROM THE TRACK: Roping
Rodney Reed is synonymous with horse racing in his home state of Oklahoma.
He has won the trainer title at Remington Park
10 times, and he still holds the track record for wins in a single season with 47, set during the 2001 meet.
Reed has literally been riding horses his entire life and training for most of it. A third generation horseman in his family, Reed said he “was raised on a horse.” Starting as
a trainer with match horses at the age of 16, he noted, “I matched my first horse before I had a driver’s license.”
Along the way, Reed has trained some truly fantastic horses. 2-time World Champion/8-time Champion Refrigerator and 2-time Champion Distance Horse De Passem Okey are just some of the horses he has trained.
Reed also credits his indoor facility for making a difference in his success. “Weather never shuts me down,” he said.
Last year was a tough one for Reed and his family. Diagnosed with cancer, Reed underwent chemo- therapy treatments but his training operation in
tiny Wapanucka never stopped—although his barn did produce fewer starters last season than it had in years past. With the assistance of his team, Reed still logged 23 wins as a trainer, and almost $343,000 in prize money.
Now, Reed’s cancer is in remission and he’s ready to return to the track full force.
“I’m very blessed,” he said. “If I’m sick, I don’t know it.”
One goal for Reed in 2017 is adding an 11th trainer title at Remington Park. “It’s been a while, but I’m gonna shoot for that this year,” he said.
He’s got big plans for 2017. Reed has five horses paid into the All American Futurity trials at Ruidoso, an all- time high for him.
Q: What changes did you have to make to keep your training operation going last year during cancer treatments?
A: Let’s just say God sends people into my life. It’s unreal the way people show up to help. We always get it done. Charles and Liz Horton have been real good with me. All the owners have been good. Everybody’s been good to me. My wife, Sheila, she’s always been the backbone of this whole thing.
Q: At any point during that process, either after the diagnosis or during treatment, were you afraid you’d have to stop?
A: It entered my mind, but you couldn’t make me quit. Horses are my love. It’s what keeps me going.
Q: What’s been your most memorable moment as a trainer?
A: Probably winning nine out of 10 of the Poor Boy Yearling Futurity trials at Ada one time. That was pretty awesome. It was pretty amazing. They had 10 trials and I won the first nine in a row. And then once, I won half the Heritage trials.
Q: Who’s the best horse you’ve ever trained?
A: Refrigerator. I had him and I had his daddy [Rare Jet]. I had two-time Champion De Passem Okey. I’ve had a lot of good horses.
Q: How would you describe your training style?
A: I just let the horse tell me. I listen to the horse. They tell me what to do.
Q: Your success at Remington Park, what does that mean to you?
A: It’s kinda hard to do. That was a lot of work and a lot of drive.
Q: What advice would you give to someone who wants to become a trainer?
A: The harder they work, the luckier they get.
John Moorehouse
A TRAINER’S VIEW
164
SPEEDHORSE, January 2017
THE BACKSIDE