Join Billy and Cade Peterson as they welcome Mac Murray of MJ Farms, a notable name in the equine industry. Mac shares his extraordinary journey from the automobile industry to becoming a prominent figure in horse racing. He discusses how he and his wife, Janis, transitioned from starting their farm in Utah to expanding into New Mexico, seizing the opportunities presented by the state’s horse racing and casino gambling industry.
Gain insights into the challenges Mac and Janis faced and how they transformed MJ Farms from a small broodmare operation into one of the most respected horse farms in the country.
Mac discusses:
His transition from the automobile industry to horse racing
The importance of making strategic business decisions
How inflation has had an impact on the horse breeding industry
Valuable business insights, and challenges of running a horse farm
The importance of good financial backing and support staff in business
Mac Murray is a partner at MJ Farms, which is located in New Mexico. He owns the farm along with his wife, Dr. Janis Murray. MJ Farms is home to prominent New Mexico-bred sires. The farm has also owned or managed several other major sires, including Dash Ta Fame.
Get an exclusive, behind-the-scenes look into Billy’s extraordinary journey as an author, former jockey, financial advisor, and business owner, with Shaun Peterson taking the reins as host. Together, they delve into the compelling reasons behind Billy’s decision to write his second book, the passion and perseverance it took to share his personal stories and inspirational history, and the profound gratitude he holds for the wisdom imparted by a cherished former client.
Highlights from this episode include:
The journey and challenges Billy faced while writing and publishing his second book
His three pillars for a successful life: wealth, health, and happiness
The influence of a positive mindset has on your health and well-being
Advice for aspiring authors including the writing process and publishing
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.
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.
People in the horse racing, farming, and ranching industries have two things in common; a passion and love for animals.
Today’s guest is a renowned equine orthopedic surgeon, a University Distinguished Professor in the Department of Clinical Sciences, and the founder of the Orthopaedic Research Center at CSU. It is clear when you hear him speak that he too has a passion and love for animals.
Join Dr. Wayne McIlwraith as he recounts his humble beginnings on a sheep station in New Zealand to becoming a trailblazer in the field of equine orthopedic surgery. He shares his innovative approach to arthroscopic surgery, shedding light on the advancements he has made, including many discoveries that have helped progress orthopedic procedures for humans.
Throughout the podcast, Billy Peterson and Dr. Wayne McIlwraith explore:
Dr. Wayne’s extensive experience and contributions to the field of equine medicine
The multifaceted challenges that face the equine industry including the need for uniformity in safety and testing standards
Why you should seize opportunities and pursue your passions
Techniques used to help horses recover from injuries and improve their performance
Professor McIlwraith obtained his veterinary degree from Massey University, New Zealand, and was in practice in New Zealand and the UK followed by an internship at the University of Guelph, Canada, and a surgical residency at Purdue University. He also obtained MS and PhD degrees from Purdue University. He is a Diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Surgeons, the European College of Veterinary Surgeons, the American College of Veterinary Sports Medicine and Rehabilitation, and a Fellow of the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons.
Since 1979, he has been a faculty member at Colorado State University. Currently, he is a University Distinguished Professor, holds the Barbara Cox Anthony University Endowed Chair in Orthopaedics, and is the Founding Director of the Orthopaedic Research Center. He also has a referral equine orthopedic surgical practice based in Southern California and is a consultant and surgeon for clients elsewhere in the US and Ireland, England, France, and New Zealand. His research interests focus on equine orthopedic surgery and translational joint disease research, including novel treatments for osteoarthritis and articular cartilage repair, mesenchymal stem cell therapies, and early diagnosis of osteoarthritis and pre-fracture disease using imaging and fluid biomarkers.
He has received multiple awards, including the Founders Award and Legends Award from ACVS, induction into the International Equine Research Hall of Fame, the John Hickman Award from the British Equine Veterinary Association, the AAEP Research Award, the AVMA Lifetime Excellence in Research Award, the Markowitz Award from the Academy of Surgical Research, the Marshall R. Urist MD Award from ORS and is an Honorary Fellow of ICRS.
Few journeys are as exhilarating and transformative as those of a jockey.
The rush of adrenaline during races and the intricate partnership between humans and horses all come together to tell a story of talent, perseverance, and passion.
In this episode, Kip Didericksen, a renowned former jockey shares his journey from the race tracks to being a business owner, highlighting how the value of hard work and strategy contributed to his success. He also talks about memorable horses and people, and the races that taught him valuable lessons.
Kip discusses:
His childhood as a member of a racehorse family and how he idolized jockeys
The talent level and competition among jockeys at Los Alamitos
His standout horses and the trainers who supported him
A look back at his most successful season when he was the leading rider and won multiple races
His experience of being treated poorly by a fellow jockey and how it motivated him to always help others
