How Do the Big Boys (and Girls) Do It?

Here I am on Wednesday morning and I have finally finished entering all of my horses from my fourteen stables and added the jockeys. I really wanted to hit the early breeding this week but didn’t get around to it in time. I was able to claim and breed a couple of ponies from last week but haven’t had a chance to add them to my spreadsheet that I keep on my stables.

The worst part is that my wife keeps looking over my shoulder and shakes her head at all of the time that I am putting into the Sim. I know that she is wondering when I will start on my “real” job.

Does this sound like you? Have you ever wondered how those BIG stable conglomerates actually do it and keep on coming up with winners? It is one of the biggest questions that I have asked myself and I decided to see if I could get some input to answer it once and for all.

This article begins a series where I have interviewed some of the biggest names in the game. You will recognize the names and hopefully like me will gain some insight into what it takes to take 30 or more stables and turn them into a winning syndicate. I have truly enjoyed doing the interviews and I’m still hoping for a couple more to return. If you have more than 30 stable in the Sim, drop down to the bottom and email me and I will be more than happy to send you my interview and get your unique perspective on the ins and outs of running the really big farms.

I have found a couple of surprises, from tools and ideas to a family affair that I will be sharing with you. Even after conducting the interviews it still blows my mind how these folks can do this successfully.

My week usually starts right after the races end on Saturday by adding claims and breedings to the 33 page Exel spreadsheet that I keep on my stables ( It has evolved into a monster that won’t stop!). Saturday evening I usually add BP info to the sheets and train my horses that ran that week. I try to begin entries Sunday night and Monday so that I can get into a couple of RODOTS if possible. I like to have the jockeys chosen as well by Tuesday morning. Tuesday and Wednesday I check through the entries to see if any are close to getting closed out as entries and re-enter them. Wednesday evening, I check my horses to see how they fared in the races I’ve entered. I usually begin an article that I am writing for the BTB that week. Thursday and Friday I try to find time to enter contests at the residency I belong to, Minnesota Downs. I also scan the auction and claims and keep an eye on end of the week breeding bargains. By Saturday, I check out all of the races and watch most of them. Then the cycle starts all over. You can see that most of my spare time is invested in the game.

I can honestly say that I can barely keep up and I don’t have some incredible win percentage to show for it either. I’ve had a few Graded winners although I’m still looking for that first G1. I generally add a stable a year right now to keep up the interest in a new stable but I keep wondering if I am at my limit or if it is even time to cut back. Hopefully, if you have those same questions, you will enjoy the series. Stay tuned!

Email your comments to pazjazz.btb@gmail.com I love to hear from you!