Page 86 - May 2018 Speedhorse

“I thought I could be highly involved and learn a lot about the industry from all levels.”
CHRIS DUKE
by John Moorehouse
Some people must travel far and wide to achieve their goals. For Chris Duke, the road to success began just a short drive away. When Indiana Grand opened in 2009, 10 miles down the road from his family home, Duke saw it as an opportunity.
“I thought it would be exciting to get involved and being located so close, I thought I could be highly involved and learn a lot about the industry from all levels. So, I started using some contacts and networking in order to find the best horses I could afford,” Duke said.
Indeed, Duke has found success in the sport in a variety of roles. First, as a 17-year-old jockey, he rode to victory in the All American Quarter Horse Congress. Later, as part of Duke Racing, LLC—a partnership that includes his wife, Stefanie,
his parents, and brother. The successful family breeding organization produced Indiana Stallion of the Year Chilled Corona, and two of his progeny completed an exacta in the 2011 Gordon Mobley Futurity.
Duke has also served in an administrative capacity, as the former President of the Quarter Horse Racing Association of Indiana (QHRAI) and currently as Vice President of the Barrel Futurities of America while also holding a seat on the AQHA Racing Committee.
Oh, and he and his wife also have twin boys.
Although he has such a hectic schedule, Duke still found time to respond to these questions as part of the latest installment of our “Lighter Side” feature.
Q: Where were you born?
A: Indianapolis, Indiana, and I now live in Whiteland, Indiana, which is 15 miles south of Indianapolis.
Q: What are your hobbies outside of Quarter Horse racing?
A: My family and I have always been highly involved in barrel racing as a hobby and as a business. But right now, my biggest hobby is chasing my two twin boys around, Andrew and Alex.
Q: What is your favorite movie, and why?
A: Growing up I loved the “Rocky” movies, especially the first two movies, because I enjoyed seeing the under-dog getting a chance and making the best of it.
Q: Give an interesting fact about your family.
A: My parents have always had love and dedication for their horses and have passed that on to my brother and me. We are a tight-knit family because of this. My parents have run a construction and horse business for more than 50 years and have been married for 56 years! My brother has cerebral palsy, but has never let that slow him down; he is a teacher and high school girls’ basketball coach whose team won Sectionals this year.
Q: Do you have a nickname and, if so, what is it and how did it come about?
A: I have never had a nickname. A lot of people just call me by my last name, “Duke.”
Q: What is the strangest personality quirk you have ever seen in a horse?
A: A barrel horse I had would not ride over shadows. I owned him for 11 years and for 11 years he would jump them, shy from them, or stop at them.
Q: If you were not in the horse racing business, what job would you like to have? A: I love sports, so maybe something along the lines of coaching or general manager.
Q: What is your favorite thing about living where you live?
A: The central location to get to several major cities within a couple hours—Louisville, Cincinnati, Lexington, Chicago, Detroit, Columbus, St. Louis.
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SPEEDHORSE, May 2018
John Moorehouse
THE LIGHTER SIDE