Page 100 - December 2017

“I would love to see more young people get involved in this industry.”
by Marie Littlefield
Name: Kenneth L. Roberts, Sr.
Home BaSe: orange, Texas
YeaRS of expeRieNce: over 40
STaTeS iN WHicH You TRaiN: Louisiana, Texas, New mexico & oklahoma
moST memoRaBLe RaciNg momeNTS:
Winning the all american Derby with i Hear a Symphony was a big deal for me. i’ve won some really good races in california, which gave me the chance to really explore the world of horses and racing and learn more about other people in racing.
favoRiTe HoBBY: i have some racecars and i started getting into that. it’s fun to take some time away from the horses. i enjoy sports and going to games, but i also consider going to the yearling sales a vacation of sorts. it’s very enjoyable and low stress, but every now and then i might take off on a short cruise. Those are very enjoyable.
K
cake would have to be winning the Louisiana Million Futurity and LQHBA Derby this month. He’s been training since the ‘70’s, but his time with horse racing predates that by far. I had the pleasure of speaking
to Kenny, and you’ll not meet a more down to earth, thankful person. He’s a strong proponent for equality in racing as well as a great advocate for Quarter Horse Racing in Louisiana. Take a minute to get to know him a little better here.
Q. When were you first introduced to Quarter Horse racing?
A. I was introduced to racing when I was 7 or 8 years old at the brush tracks and I loved it. It was very fun and exciting for me as a child. It’s the kind of experience that stays with you.
Q. Why did you decide to become a trainer? Was there any person who was a major influence in your life?
A. My uncle Anthony Davis, my mother’s brother, had a few Quarter Horses that he raced at the brush tracks. Back in the day, they had Columbus, Goliad, and nonparimutuel racing was big back then. I went with him quite a bit and loved it. It became a very big passion of mine, going to the races and cleaning stalls
Kenny Roberts leads Louisiana Million Futurity-RG1 winner You Drive I Fly at Evangeline Downs on Dec. 16.
for him. I just really thought it was incredible and I loved it. I knew that I wanted to have my own horses. It was a dream of mine that was able to come true, and I’m thankful to him for that influence. With the good Lord’s help and blessing, I was able to have more ups than downs. I was able to be around good people when I started out, and that made a huge difference in my career.
Q. Do you prefer to be a part of the owner’s decision-making process when they are looking to purchase a horse?
A. I like to have input on it because I might see something that my owner doesn’t see and that goes both ways. I’m not going to tell someone what to buy, but I will give my ideas, thoughts and opinions on the horse. I think, though, in this horse business that you need to buy one that you feel good about, that you have confidence in and you know what you’re starting with. You want to feel that you know you got the right one, and he’s going to win the world. That’s what I want for my owners. That way they have the confidence in their horse, and in me as a trainer to make that plan come into motion.
Q. When selecting a horse to bid on, which would you say is the most important thing to consider, the pedigree or the conformation?
A. Well, I like to look at the conformation first then I look at the pedigree afterwards, but since we usually get the catalog before the sale I’ve already looked through that book. So I have some picked out based on breeding and I’ll look at them. You always see more once you get there and see them in the flesh. Another factor that I always consider, too, is budget. What that horse is going to cost and what we’re going
A TrAiner’s PersPecive
Kenneth L. “Kenny” roberts, sr.
enny Roberts closed out 2017 with a bang. Having the most wins in 2017 and earnings over
$2.8 million was fantastic, but the icing on his
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SPEEDHORSE, December 2017
marie Littlefield
THE BACKSIDE