Page 133 - February_2023

“They take great care of their animals. They take everything in stride and are the epitome of horse people.” – Dr. Larry Findley Sr.
“ “ B B i i l l l l y y a a n n d d J Jo oB B a a y y a a h h a a d d s s o o l l d d h h i i m m a a s s a a yearling for $20,000, and he went on to win over $1 million,” says the Foremans’ longtime veterinarian and friend Larry Findley Sr. of D D e e l lt t a a E E q q u u i i n n e e i i n n V V i i n nt t o o n n , , L L o o u u i i s s i i a a n n a a . . “ “ H H e e w w a a s s just a super, super runner.”
He set New Track Records for 300, 350 and 400 yards at Fair Grounds; 350 yards at Louisiana Downs; and 400 and 440 yards at Delta Downs – and became the first Louisiana- Bred millionaire. Vals Fortune was inducted into the LQHBA Hall of Fame in 2020.
T H E I R S E C R E T S T O S U C C E S S
The Foremans attribute their success to the
people they’ve met and the friends they’ve made in the industry over the years, particularly their trainer Kenneth Roberts and their veterinarian— whom they drive 60 miles whenever his services are needed—Larry Findley Sr.
“ “K K e e n n n ne e t t h h h h a a s s b b e e e e n n o ou u r r t t r r a a i i n ne e r r f f r r o om m t t h he e very beginning,” says JoBaya. “He’s very ethical and over the years has become a very close friend, too. Dr. Findley has been very supportive of us, too, and the Robicheauxs. They’ve fit our babies from around 2000 on.”
“ “ K K e e n n n n y y ’ ’s s t t h h e e r r e e a a s s o o n n w w e e ’ ’r r e e s s t t i i l l l l i i n n t t h h i i s s , ,” ”
a a d d d d s s B B i i l l l l y y. . “ “ W We e e e n n j j o o y y h h i i s s c c o o m m p p a a n n y y, , a a n n d d h h e e
e e n n c c o o u u r r a a g g e e s s u u s s . . H H e e ’ ’s s a a l l s s o o m m a a d d e e t t h h i i s s f f u u n n f f o o r r u u s s . . He’s guided us along the way and even when we would sell horses and someone else was training them, he still was there supporting us a a l l l l t t h h e e w w a a y y t t h h r r o o u u g g h h . . ” ”
Although the Foremans have run many
h h o o r r s s e e s s i i n n t t h h e e p p a a s s t t , , t t h h e e s s e e d d a a y y s s t t h h e e y y s s e e l l l l t t h h e e f f o o a a l l s s
they produce. “We love raising the babies and w w a a t t c c h h i i n n g g t t h h e e m m g g r r o o w w a a n n d d r r u u n n , ,” ” J J o o B B a a y y a a s s a a y y s s . .
They’ve also enjoyed their decades-long participation in the Louisiana Quarter Horse
B Breeders Association, serving as board members during that time, and their participation as part of the syndicate for Heza Fast Dash, who stood at Robicheaux Ranch his entire career at stud. Heza Fast Dash was inducted into the 2022 LQHBA Hall of Fame on April 23, 2022.
The late stallion, by The Signature son
Heza Fast Man and out of the Dash For Cash daughter First Prize Dash, earned $136,123
a and Graded stakes winner status on the track. He won the Blue Ribbon Futurity-G2 at Blue Ribbon Downs, ran second in the Remington Park Futurity-G1 in 2000, and ran fifth in the Oklahoma Horsemen’s Association Derby-G3 at Fair Meadows in 2001 before retiring to stud.
Along with breeding for consistent quality a and healthy babies, Billy and JoBaya have become admired friends of their associates. “They take great care of their animals,” Dr. Findley says. “And they always appear to be happy. They just love each other so much; they’re always together and it’s a pleasure
f for me and my wife, Anita, to be their
f friends. They take everything in stride and a are the epitome of horse people. Everybody here [at Delta Equine] puts them up high on a pedestal.”
Billy sums up the goals and outlook that have b b r r o o u u g g h h t t t t h h e e m m t t o o w w h h e e r r e e t t h h e e y y a a r r e e : : “ “ W We e h h a a v v e e n n ’ ’t t tried to shoot for the moon. We just try to raise
g g o o o o d d h h o o r r s s e e s s a a n n d d b b e e s s a a t t i i s s f f i i e e d d a a n n d d h h a a p p p p y y. .” ”
Somthinlikabreeze, dam of Vals Fortune.
Don Shugart
The Foremans were part of a syndicate that owned Heza Fast Dash.
“We haven’t tried to shoot for the moon. We just try to raise good horses and be satisfified and happy.”
– Billy Foreman
LQHBA Hall of Fame and 2-time AQHA Champion Vals Fortune winning the Louisiana Champions Day Derby at Fair Grounds.
Billy Foreman branding yearlings.
Photo Courtesy JoBaya Foreman
Speedhorse Archives
Photo Courtesy JoBaya Foreman
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