Page 54 - December 2015

Tom believes in quality in all he does, and his horses are no exception.
Kim Kessinger, jockey Saul Ramirez Jr., trainer Joe Bassett and Tom Bradbury in the winner’s circle after Fancys First Affair won the 2007 La Primera Del Ano Derby at Los Alamitos.
Bradbury owned and bred many horses in partnership with others, including I Like The
Odds (shown returning after winning the 2011 Los Alamitos $2 Million Futurity), whom he bred with Kim Kessinger, and co-owned with Kessinger and Howard Nichols. I Like The Odds died from a spider bite shortly after the victory, and Kessinger passed away not long after that.
What the Future Holds
Tom and Margaret moved from the ranch in Byers
to Centennial in 2003. Now 79, Tom still plays an active role in running Bradbury Land and Cattle, although he relies on help and advice from his son, Tom; daughter Lisa and her husband, Mark Beauprez; and the managers of the four ranches he operates, for the day-to-day duties and decisions in the real estate, horse, cattle and farming operations (irrigated corn, hay and dry-land wheat). “Lisa, and sometimes Mark, will pick out cattle and go
to the sales,” Tom says. “Lisa and I go to all of them and Lisa goes to every horse sale we’re involved in.”
Tom believes in quality in all he does, and his horses are no exception. “A horse has to be bred right and its conformation has got to be right,” he says. “I haven’t seen many winning Quarter Horses that didn’t have good conformation. Then, you’ve got to have luck — you’ve got to have your horse at the right place at the right time, and the horse itself has got to be at “12:00” at that time. And, you’ve got to have a good trainer and a good jockey who really wants to win.”
He continues to buy and breed for success and toward that end, he owns syndicated shares in Wave Carver, First Down Dash and Teller Cartel. “I currently have ownership in 14 broodmares and have 23 horses in training at Ruidoso, Los Alamitos, Arapahoe Park and Remington Park,” he says.
Despite his commitment to quality, Tom has suffered
the agony of defeat along with the thrill of victory. “We didn’t win a futurity or derby between four tracks this year, and we had some pretty good horses,” he says, adding, “I think we have some that are even better for next year. I guess you always think that!”
Vaughn Cook of Royal Vista Equine in Fort Collins, Colorado, says, “It’s Tom’s enjoyment in life to have groups where we all get along. He likes the partnerships for friendship. We have bad times and we have good times, but the good times outnumber the bad.”
His partners include trainer John Hammes, farmer/ rancher George Seward, breeder Vaughn Cook, Vince Genco and Lila Kessinger, as well as young Tom and Lisa. “The friendships and partnerships I’ve made in the business are the biggest prize of all,” he says. “I’ve met a lot of wonderful people and I’m still meeting them.”
Throughout his years in Bradbury Land and Cattle, Tom has gleaned knowledge from his friends and associates and imparted his own in return, leaving a legacy of excellence in all of his endeavors.
“I appreciate all he’s taught me over the years, but the last three years have been an eye opener for me,” says George Seward. “Tom’s forgotten more than most ever begin to know. In the end, he’s made horse racing a lot of fun for my family. He’s very unique in that his integrity is never questioned. If he wins, fine, but how it’s all handled is as important to him as winning the race.”
52 SPEEDHORSE, December 2015