Page 70 - Winter 2020

“I think the lockdowns contributed to our problems.
We really had a decent 2020 breeding season but I’m honestly worried about 2021. People just don’t function well in an atmosphere of uncertainty and uncertainty is about all we have right now.
- W. L. Mooring
Another bad math situation was the loss of approximately 100 days of racing this season. That means missed opportunities which is something the industry cannot afford.
December 26 marks the beginning of the 2021 season. Where is the purse money?
No one had the opportunity to build any protec- tive immunity against the ravages of COVID and no one escaped the consequences. That includes breed- ers, owners, trainers, jockeys, stallion owners, tracks and going down the line to restaurants, hotels/motels, grocery stores, boutiques and more. Big money was even lost on the major sales, which were moved to Oklahoma. Hurt most by that change of venue were the breeders targeting the New Mexico-bred pro- gram, since the “breed horses” were not followed to Oklahoma by the people who usually buy them.
There’s no way to deny the situation just de- scribed sounds anything other than butt-bustin’ bleak. And it would be as bleak as it sounds if
we were talking about any group of people other than horse/cattle/agricultural folks. This is a tough breed. Strong. Resilient. Optimistic. Dedicated, with a fine balance between pride and humility.
COVID-19 discouraged a lot of people, but
it was only a temporary set-back. They mulled it around and then remembered this industry has sur- vived a history of ups-and-downs. That’s when they raised their heads and marched on. Others looked at everything through a well-defined business prism and modified their operations where needed. And a hand- ful, such as Kim Saunders of Sierra Blanca, welcomes the future with excitement. Let’s begin with her.
KIM SAUNDERS
“Other than a few mares leaving early, the COVID mess didn’t affect my 2020 breeding season,” said Saunders. “We all know it’s a different story for those whose focus is on the track. They were hit really hard. Even if they had the opportunity to race, it was impos- sible to make any money because the purses were stripped down to nothing by COVID.
“I do believe we’ll have some lingering ef- fects in New Mexico and the recovery won’t happen overnight. It’s very possible breeding farms such as mine suffer more in the 2021 season. For one thing, we’re at the end of 2020 and there are so many uncertainties. So many more questions than answers. When will spec- tators return to the track? When will casinos open? Will purses go up? Will we lose days, as we did in 2020?
Horsemen/women always seem to find a way to keep the magic alive, especially during hard times. Kim refueled her magic by sign- ing a contract to stand the Reliance Ranch- es’-owned TB stallion American Anthem (Bodemeister-Indy’s Windy, A.P. Indy).“I can hardly believe how excited I am about this horse,” she said with a laugh. “He’s a wonder- ful individual. A graded stakes winner with tremendous quality. And his pedigree really excites me. It’s wide open and nothing else like it in the state. He should cross well with so many mare lines. I am definitely excited about the prospects and the potential.”
W.L. MOORING
Mooring is a 30-plus year industry veteran, standing both Quarters and Thoroughbreds, at his Double LL Farm. He makes strong efforts to avoid political discussions but he does have some strong opinions.
“I think the lockdowns contributed to our problems,” said Mooring. “We really had a decent 2020 breeding season but I’m honestly worried about 2021. People just don’t function well in an atmosphere of uncertainty and uncer- tainty is about all we have right now.
“Mare owners ask me what I think about New Mexico racing next year. Will the casinos be open? Will people be back to the tracks and able to wager? I wish I could answer them but I can’t because I have no idea what’s going to happen tomorrow, let alone next year. And what if all the race meets are back on schedule? We’re already behind on our purse money. People have no reason to breed for a New Mexico- bred or to buy a New Mexico-bred if the state’s racing programs are going downhill. “I have to be honest and say I’m concerned about next year.”
New Mexico also has one of the industry’s richest, most influential sale programs. It in- cludes the Select Yearling Sale, the New Mexico- Bred Sale as well as this year’s third annual Select Foals in Utero Sale. Added to the 2020 venue was the late R.D. Hubbard’s Dispersal.
The sales, as a rule, are a festive event that draws consignors and buyers from nearly every state. Once again, that means a tremendous fi- nancial boost to the town’s economy. They also
“Other than a few mares leaving early, the COVID mess didn’t affect my 2020 breeding season. We all know it’s a different story for those whose focus is on the track. They were hit really hard. It’s very possible breeding farms such as mine suffer more in the 2021 season.
- Kim Saunders
68 New Mexico Horse Breeder