“Race Horses Need a lot of Attention”, says Kentucky Derby winning trainer Barclay Tagg.
“Have you ever reflected on the best advice you’ve ever been given?” Last week a colleague asked me this question. I thought for a moment and answered,
“Always stay around good horses.”
A Kentucky Derby winning trainer had told me that when I first arrived as an aspiring exercise rider in Southern California many years ago.
As a result, I asked my guest this week on “Race Horses, etc.”, trainer Barclay Tagg, a similar question.
“What is the best advice your mentor Frank Whitely gave you Barclay?”
He quickly responded.
“Horses need attention. They don’t need drugs. Horses don’t need all that other stuff. They just need attention.”
Due to this mantra, Barclay’s brand of hard work produced the 2003 Kentucky Derby winner Funny Cide. Now, Barclay is looking to do it all over again with the handsome colt Tiz the Law.
In this episode of “Race Horses, etc.” we will learn how the Kentucky Derby trainer cares for his horses. Then, we will discover that round the clock attention is important. Finally, we will hear how Tagg’s staff handles Kentucky Derby favorite Tiz the Law during his morning routine.
Barclay, along with his Assistant Trainer and life-partner Robin Smullen, spends every day, all day, paying attention to his horses. During these long hours they incorporate routine therapies include, icing, hosing, and massage. These are protocols that resemble those of any major athlete. As a result, their horses are flourishing.
Click the arrow in the player above to listen to “Race Horses, etc.” You will learn how trainer Barclay Tagg runs his racing stable and what it takes to be a Kentucky Derby trainer.
Later, for more insight into other trainers who have won the Kentucky Derby, please enjoy these “Race Horses, etc.” episodes:
Trainer Nick Zito: https://carolynconley.com/podcast/nick-zito-training-race-horses/
Trainer Art Sherman: https://carolynconley.com/podcast/art-sherman-old-school-horsemanship/
Barclay Tagg Racing Stable website: https://www.barclaytaggracing.com/
