Worst barn change ever? Diamondrella to Stevens

[jms62]

Originally Posted by NTamm1215

Hall of Fame jockey Gary Stevens, who never won the prestigious Matriarch Stakes (gr. IT) as a rider, will try to win the grade I test as a trainer with Diamondrella on Nov. 28 at Hollywood Park.

The grade I stakes-winning 5-year-old mare was an unexpected addition last week to the Santa Anita barn of Stevens, who began training in May.

“I got a surprise call early Thursday (Nov. 12) morning,” said Stevens from Santa Anita Nov. 15. “Michael (Iavarone, head of owner IEAH Stables) informed me that she was coming. It was a big confidence booster.”

Diamondrella was shipped to Kentucky for the Fasig-Tipton Sale in Lexington after finishing 11th in the Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint at Santa Anita Nov. 7, but was bought back by IEAH and flown back to California Nov. 13 by way of Indianapolis.

Diamondrella, based in New York most of the year, enjoyed a banner campaign under previous trainer Angel Penna, winning three of five starts, including two grade I races: the Just A Game at Belmont and the First Lady at Keeneland.

Both victories were at one mile on turf, the same distance as The Matriarch, which is also for fillies and mares. Career-wise, the English-bred daughter of Rock of Gibraltar has won eight of 18 starts and earned $784,576.

“The Matriarch is the target,” said Stevens, who plans to supplement the mare for $6,000. “She showed up in great shape. Angel did a great job with her. I just walked her this morning.”

The Matriarch was one of the few major stakes in Southern California that eluded Stevens as a jockey. He finished second twice behind champion Flawlessly -- with Fire The Groom in 1991 and Toussaud in 1993.

Diamondrella’s toughest competition is expected from another multiple grade I stakes winner, Ventura, to be ridden by Garrett Gomez for trainer Bobby Frankel.

Other probable starters include Tuscan Evening, Rutherienne and April Pride


http://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-raci...eyes-matriarch

Worst Barn Change Ever? A little bit overdramatic don't ya think?

[NTamm1215]

Originally Posted by jms62

Worst Barn Change Ever? A little bit overdramatic don't ya think?

Are you familiar with Angel Penna? To date Gary Stevens has had absolute no-ones in his barn and now he's just going to be given a Grade I mare who Penna had done exceptional work with. It's a horrible barn change.

In addition, I found Gary Stevens to be one of the most pompous, self-effacing, bombastic people during his stints on TV and think he'll probably fit in great with IEAH.

NT

[MISTERGEE]

Yeah but other than that do you like the guy?

[CSC]

On another note, I wonder who will be heading the Juddmonte NA operation now?

Will they pick someone from the old guard or someone of a younger ilk?

Originally Posted by CSC

On another note, I wonder who will be heading the Juddmonte NA operation now?

Will they pick someone from the old guard or someone of a younger ilk?

Stephanie Beattie.

[randallscott35]

Obviously Penna did a bad job with her.

[CSC]

Originally Posted by Coach Pants

Stephanie Beattie.

I love woman Trainer's, don't know why...

[10 pnt move up]

Originally Posted by NTamm1215

In addition, I found Gary Stevens to be one of the most pompous, self-effacing, bombastic people during his stints on TV and think he'll probably fit in great with IEAH.

NT

Obviously you learn a lot from TV...He has always been pretty cool when I have been hanging out with him.

[brianwspencer]

Originally Posted by 10 pnt move up

Obviously you learn a lot from TV...He has always been pretty cool when I have been hanging out with him.

I've only spent time with him once, but he was as far the opposite of pompous as one could ever get that day.

[NTamm1215]

Stevens might be a nice guy but in the end who cares? The issue here is that a multiple Grade I winning filly was moved from a trainer who did a phenomenal job with her to a novice in the training game. I suppose this was Stevens' consolation prize for finding all of those ten-star purchases for IEAH.

NT

[CSC]

Originally Posted by brianwspencer

I've only spent time with him once, but he was as far the opposite of pompous as one could ever get that day.

I have a feeling he will do a good job, the obvious thing is he can work the horse the way he wants hands on, and really it wouldn't be that unusual for a Jockey to make the switch to Trainer successfully, Ie. freddie Head.

[hockey2315]

Originally Posted by CSC

I have a feeling he will do a good job, the obvious thing is he can work the horse the way he wants hands on, and really it wouldn't be that unusual for a Jockey to make the switch to Trainer successfully, Ie. freddie Head.

Are there any other long-time jockeys that have had much success as trainers?

Only one I can think of is Cash Asmussen and he doesn't really fall into that category.

IEAH....

I: Idiots
E:Everywhere
A:Absolutley
H:Horrible

[CSC]

Originally Posted by hockey2315

Are there any other long-time jockeys that have had much success as trainers?

Only one I can think of is Cash Asmussen and he doesn't really fall into that category.

Not many of the high profile variety I would guess. I read somewhere Bob Baffert was a rider at one point though it was the 1/4 horse variety. Up until now I can only think of Freddy Head as one of the more prominant one's. I'm sure there are some less famous riders, I'll have to dig a little further...

[dalakhani]

Originally Posted by hockey2315

Are there any other long-time jockeys that have had much success as trainers?

Only one I can think of is Cash Asmussen and he doesn't really fall into that category.

I recall after the BC Freddie Head talking about riding and training a great horse.