Page 129 - June 2022

Mike and Tammy Johnson Wakefield, of Rockin J Horses, are pictured, Rock Solid Jess, trained by Mike Wakefield, is pictured winning the Grade 1 Dash For Cash during the OQHRA banquet, March 2, 2019, in Shawnee, Oklahoma. Futurity at Lone Star Park in 2007.
said. “So, we can have 24 head of horses moved in 24 hours. It’s not easy; none of it’s ever easy when you’re setting up a barn and moving. It just makes it easier for us, getting our stable together quickly.”
Now let’s learn more about Johnson and her career in the latest installment of our Backside feature.
How did you get into the business?
“My uncle had run horses and he moved from California to Texas, I guess, when I was five years old. My dad worked for my uncle. I used to play under the grandstands.”
Did you work any other jobs in the horse world before becoming a trainer?
“I did work as a guide and a groom. Pretty much that was it. I struggled around and tried to learn how to train for about five years. When I met my husband, it kind of all just came together.”
What led you to get your trainer’s license?
“That’s what I always wanted to do. I never wanted to do anything else. The best school for horse racing is to just do it. You learn every single day. If you work hard enough, you can make things happen. You have to be willing not to quit.”
Early on in your career, any mentors or people who helped you out?
“I just had to keep bugging people until I earned something. When I met my husband, we actually learned more in that period of time. But honestly, I just researched. If I had a problem with a horse, I would talk to seven different vets or nine different people. I would go until I couldn’t go any more, until I had
solved a problem. It was sort of like that with me and it’s still like that with me today. When I have a problem, I don’t quit.”
Do you have a favorite track to race at and if so, what is it?
“I really love Remington Park. I do. They’ve been so good to us here. And I love Claremore and Lone Star and Houston. We went to Ruidoso every year for probably 17 years maybe, and before that. But I really love racing in Oklahoma and Texas.”
What is it about Remington that makes it stand out?
“They have excellent facilities. The people are good. And they’ve just been very accommodating.”
Do you have a favorite horse, and who is it and why?
with. He’s made an excellent sire. We stood him for three years and I enjoyed it, too. He really produced a lot of runners. His first or second year as sire, he had more stakes winners than any other horse. Then of course the 870 horses. We’ve had so many 870 horses, [the distance] has just really been good to us. CJS Rocksolid was one of the better ones that we’ve had. Rock A Billy, Jess A Hilbily Bone, Rock About It who holds a track record here at Remington and Ruidoso.”
What future goals do you have?
“I always wanted to have a World Champion and we’ve had so many horses nominated. I don’t know if that will ever happen. That was always one of my goals. Really, what you breed and raise, it’s like a present every year, with the babies. I really enjoyed that. Honestly, we’re getting to do what we want to do. I don’t complain much. We’re living the life we want to live, moving every three or four months to a different track, seeing different parts of the country. It’s a good life.”
“It depends on what you’re kind of asking one to do. The best short running horse I ever had, Born To B Bad. That’s Melissa Slayton’s horse. He’s the best gate horse we’ve ever seen. He was amazing—and still is. He’s in barrel training right now. If you’re talking about a horse down the lane, I’m going to leave some out, but probably Rock Solid Jess. He was one of the better horses we ever had. He’s also the daddy to a lot of these horses that we’ve had so much good luck
Tammy and husband Mike Wakefield are pictured during the Heritage Place Yearling Sale, Sept. 27, 2020, in Oklahoma City.
THE BACKSIDE
SPEEDHORSE June 2022 127
Susan Bachelor, Speedhorse Lone Star Park
Susan Bachelor, Speedhorse