Pin Oak Stud in Kentucky sure is aptly named. The botanical Pin Oak is a hardy soul, tolerant of some of North America’s iciest winter plunges. The Pin Oak Stud breeding operation has proven equally resilient, ably withstanding for nearly seven decades the vicissitudes and whims of an ever-evolving racing industry.
The farm’s seasonal bounty of top-class runners is a testament to its owner and founder, Josephine Abercrombie (pictured), who in 1995 was named the National Thoroughbred Breeder of the Year in the U.S. by the Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association (one of many prestigious industry awards under which the Abercrombie shelves groan).
Now an effervescent 94, Abercrombie has feathered her cap over the years with more than just one type of quill. Alongside breeding Eclipse and Sovereign Award-winning champions, Abercrombie took on and conquered the bloodied ring of top-drawer boxing promotion and has lavished as a philanthropist an array of worthy causes and institutions.
“Obviously Mrs Abercrombie has been a huge influence on my career as well as the careers of many,” said Graham Motion, one of Abercrombie’s trainers. “She was one of the first to trust me with Graded stakes-caliber horses, including Broken Vow, who went on to be a top stallion. It goes without saying that her influence on pedigrees and horse racing is vast.”
According to Mike Stidham, another trainer to have enjoyed long patronage from Pin Oak Stud, Abercrombie is a “matriarch” of the racing world. “She has been a pioneer of strong women succeeding in our sport.”
Here, in TRC’s fortnightly quickfire Q&A, she answers the questions posed by Daniel Ross.
Who do you think is the most important figure in racing history?
I’m not sure he was the most important figure but he was definitely a pillar in the world of horseracing through my early years in the business and who proceeded to be a mentor and that was Alfred G Vanderbilt, Jr. He was a friend who taught me a lot about racing. He ran Pimlico and Belmont while in his 20s, and he pioneered the use of the starting gate and the photo finish. He had a wonderful feeling about racing and a great love of the horse.
Which is your favorite venue and race?
Hands down, my venue is Keeneland. It’s illustrious charm and history just seem to resonate from the grandstand and the racetrack. And, of course, I’m partial to the running of the Pin Oak Valley View Stakes in the fall.
What is your fondest memory in racing?
It would absolutely have to be Peaks And Valleys winning the [1995] Molson [Export] Million [now the Woodbine Mile]. That was a very special afternoon for me and everybody at Pin Oak. I can still hear the finishing call, “Peaks And Valleys has reached the summit!” (See video below.) I couldn’t have been any happier for the horse. His winning reflected the nurturing of several generations of one of our foundation mares, Strike A Pose.
What do you see as the biggest challenge racing faces today?
I think attracting and attaining new owners is a huge challenge. We’ve become so busy in our daily lives that we get distracted from creating opportunities to encourage or to mentor industry prospects, teaching them that it takes a lot of time and devotion in raising and racing Thoroughbreds.
I believe current organizations and racetracks are trying hard and doing a good job trying to get new owners, but I think allowing new owners the opportunity of a mentor will give them an inside look at all the details involved in racing and breeding. At one point in our lives, we’ve all had someone to guide us in the right direction. I’d say to a new owner: don’t be afraid to seek advice.
If you could change one thing in racing, what would it be?
We desperately need one united organization to confront all our various issues. As with any industry, we will always have problems to solve. Somehow, we have to all come together as one voice to make change happen.
There seems to be lots of very bright young leaders emerging and it’s hard for me not to believe that with their industry knowledge that we can’t come together for the betterment of our sport and the horses. Drastic consequences lead to drastic change if we don’t pay attention.