Chasing Glory: Inside the Gates of the Saudi Cup – Racing for $20 Million (Ep. 33)
The thrill of horse racing is not just found on the track, but also in the stories of those who dedicate their lives to the sport.
In this episode, Billy and Cade Peterson invite Todd Fincher, a former jockey turned world-renowned trainer, to share his remarkable journey from the stables to the winner’s circle. They dive into the challenges of maintaining weight as a jockey, the transition to training, the success of their horses, participating in the biggest races, and more!
Todd discusses:
- Growing up in the horse racing industry and the dream of becoming a jockey
- The extreme measures jockeys take to meet weight requirements
- Moving from jockey to trainer and the differences between the two roles
- How to be a successful trainer and the never-ending task of communicating with owners
- The benefits of a positive barn atmosphere on the horses’ performance
- The achievements of his horses, particularly Senor Buscador
- The strategies of preparing horses for Grade 1 races, even amidst unexpected challenges, and the excitement of nurturing potential superstars
- The business aspects of horse racing, including the financial implications of winning the world’s richest race and managing the recent surge in industry costs due to excessive inflation.
- And more!
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About Our Guest:
Todd Fincher is a well-known figure in the horse racing industry. He has made significant contributions as both a jockey and a trainer. Fincher grew up in the racing business, with his father being a jockey for 25-to-30 years and his mother a trainer. He himself was a jockey for 10 years, winning over 900 races on Quarter Horses and Thoroughbreds. As a trainer, he has achieved notable success, including saddling Runaway Ghost to victory in the Sunland Derby (G3) in 2018, the Ruidoso Futurity (G1) with Saint Shackleton, and the Saudi Cup (G1) with Senor Buscador in 2024. He has won numerous training titles in New Mexico. His approach to training is grounded in his experience as a jockey, and he continues to expand his operations, bringing better quality Kentucky-breds to races in Texas and Oklahoma.
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