Turf Talk with the Pros – Fabman
Turf Talk with the Pros – Fabman
Folks Fabman is next up and our 2nd last trainer interviewed. Following Fabman we’ll hear from Balata to complete our trainer interviews followed by a summary piece that ties all the information provided by our trainers together.
Again I’d like to acknowledge the contributions from all the guys interviewed. I really appreciate everyone’s time, words of wisdom & willingness to participate in the Turf Talk series.
Following the summary piece I’ve interviewed Mike Wallace, that’s right the man himself in an interview called ‘Turf Talk with the Boss’. I was lucky to have Mike review the series and answer basically the same set of questions that I put to the trainers however from the viewpoint of the game creator. It’s an awesome read and I look forward to posting that one for you. It will be the official conclusion to Turf Talk.
Now, without a moment more to lose I present to you a Horse of the Year trainer that goes by the name of ……….………….
Fabman
1. How long have you been playing?
Since May 2002
2. How many stables do you run and how much time on average would you spend ‘simming’ a week.
I currently have 39 stables. I don’t spend nearly as much time as I used with the ease of the new site. I pop in and out all day.
3. Does your partner play and either way what does he/she think of your involvement with the sim?
No, she has nothing to do with this. She pretty much let’s me do my thing.
4. Who is your favourite sire and why?
Really don’t have one. Every time I have had a favorite, it got down graded. Red Ransom, and Smarty Jones were two of my favorites. I can’t get anything out of them anymore. My current favorite is Mission Inpazible.
5. When looking at your race fields pre race which ……..
a) sire do you most fear racing against?
b) player(s) do you most fear racing against?
I don’t really look who I’m in against. I try to find a condition my horse meets and enter. Maybe my win percentage would be higher if I dodged certain players but I don’t play that way.
6. Is there one race you set out to win each year above all else and if so why?
Bluegrass Derby. First I would just like to get there. Only have made it once. It’s the start of the Triple Crown. Just seems like the big one for me.
7. What is your greatest achievement so far?
Easy one there. Winning Horse of the Year with Basketball Jones.
8. How many individual G1 winners have you trained?
I wish I could tell you that number. I really have no idea. Not that it has been all that many. Just never kept track.
9. What is your opinion on the current mare breeding costing? This has recently provided much debate. Please comment on your thoughts on this.
also please select your preference for charging of your own mares when breeding out of these 3 options:
a) As is – ie pay the sire cost again to breed your own mare
b) Flat rate – of say 250 – 500 credits as a mare ‘stud fee’
c) No charge – its your mare why are we paying to use our own mare?
Not sure what the debate is about. I have no problem with the current set up.
10. Funniest story where your involvement in the sim has affected your outside world eg. missed a wedding, called in sick to work etc.?
My first year in the sim, actually my first month, I was watching my races in a hotel room in Chicago where I was for a bowling tournament. I got my very first sim win that day and we were whooping it up pretty good. That was beyond exciting. I was really hooked after that.
11. Most valuable piece of advice for new players just starting out?
This game a fairly difficult to have success at when you first join. I will say however that the new blood that came over are doing very well early on but they are a pretty savvy bunch. Just have fun. Build up a broodmare band. It will take a few years but you will literally be set for life as far as breeding goes. There are many lifers here. 🙂