Ruben Sierra, is the coach, proprietor, and breeder of My Denysse , the 35-1 upset winner of the My Expensive Woman Division of the FTBOA Florida Sire Stakes Nov. 30 at Gulfstream Park.
The Venezuelan grew to become serious about horses at a younger age. He realized to learn with the Venezuelan model of the Racing Type and watched televised races on Sundays together with his father.
Sierra, who has been a grain dealer all his grownup life, exporting corn, owns and operates Simply For Enjoyable Stables. He bought his first farm close to Ocala, Fla. and at the moment has 11 mares.
Ruben Sierra at Gulfstream Park
BloodHorse: What led you to determine to coach your individual horses?
Ruben Sierra: I wasn’t happy with what I used to be getting and my horses weren’t yielding good outcomes. So final 12 months, I had extra time, and I’ve those who can run my different firms, and I made a decision to start out coaching. I am not going to say it has been straightforward. It is difficult, and it is easy to criticize the particular person you pay. Whenever you do it your self, you understand it is an artwork.
I’ve acquired good folks. I am surrounded by an excellent workforce. They’re those that make the distinction—good train riders—that is the explanation we’re having means higher success than we had been earlier than.
BH: How did you develop your love of horses?
RS: It has been a interest since I used to be a bit boy, wanting into studying pedigrees and crosses and stuff like that. So, it is only for enjoyable, that is why my steady identify is that. This prices us cash, I practice my very own horses, I pay for the personnel on the farms. I’ve to work, I’ve to work fairly arduous, to have the ability to have this interest.
However, in the previous couple of years, it is grown. It is one thing I’ve beloved all my life. I’ve at all times been in love with Thoroughbreds. I used to observe with my Dad, the races on Sundays once they televised the races, and I acquired fairly excited.
I truly wished to be a coach, however he did not let me. He stated, go to varsity and graduate and be an proprietor, so I did. I got here to the US once I was 17 years outdated. That was a very long time in the past, and I by no means went again.
BH: When did you begin shopping for your individual horses?
RS: I began shopping for horses within the late Nineties, after which in 2005 I purchased my first farm with cash from a filly that I bought. She had my daughter’s identify— Brooke’s Halo. She gained on Thanksgiving day (2004). I bought her (privately) for half one million {dollars}, and I had purchased her for $40,000. Michael Home purchased her from me. She ended up profitable the Hollywood Breeders’ Cup Oaks (G2). Mr. Home bought her within the fall in foal to Vindication for $575,000. He did effectively together with her.
BH: My Denysse was a maiden coming into the My Expensive Woman Division of the FTBOA Florida Sire Stakes Nov. 30 at Gulfstream Park. Were you stunned to see her win?
RS: Sure, I am unable to lie about that. I imply, I used to be hopeful, however I wasn’t 100% positive. I used to be sure that we had been going to run second. I knew she was higher than the others, which means going that distance (one mile). Clearly they’ve all crushed us, going six furlongs or much less, however going two turns, I used to be assured that we had been higher than the others.
She virtually gained her earlier race on Oct. 20, however she had a bit hassle. On the gate she stepped on her proper entrance foot and took off a shoe, so she ran the race and not using a shoe. So we simply waited for this race.
She was coaching very forwardly and we had been very excited and optimistic till Mr. (Brad) Cox determined to enter Stunner. I used to be so unhappy, I acquired depressed. I stated effectively, “We have to run it anyhow, and hope for the perfect.” And, you already know, second place is not going to be unhealthy, is what I used to be pondering. However, we acquired fortunate, and R Morning Brew softened up Stunner, and we had been capable of catch her within the ultimate strides.
BH: Do you consider she can be higher at longer distances?
RS: It was particularly rewarding, as a result of to start with, I assumed she was going to be a sprinter, being a half to Warrior’s Delight, however she confirmed us that though she had some velocity, she wished distance. She was an early 2-year-old however they did not write races for greater than 5, 5 1/2, six furlongs. So, after attempting 3 times, I made a decision to attend till I may get her going a mile. We had been ready to try this in her final race. We had to enter an open race, to have the ability to run a mile.
BH: What’s My Denysse like to coach? Does she present similarities to the siblings you could have skilled?
RS: She’s not straightforward to coach; she’s acquired a character. She’s very impartial, and she or he needs to do what she needs to do. She’s not loopy by any means, however issues need to be completed the best way she likes. She likes to coach, she loves to coach, which means that my man develops chemistry together with her, and it wasn’t straightforward at first. You could not put simply anyone on her, as a result of she would run off.
However, her household has been that means. (Older half sister) Sophia’s Storm, who’s gained eight races, remains to be that means although she’s going to be 6. Warrior’s Delight was the identical means. So, that did not shock me, however she’s higher if you happen to simply go away her alone. She has mellowed out fairly a bit; she’s nonetheless in my view 80% of what she may very well be.
BH: Is coaching for the general public something you’d take into account sooner or later?
RS: I desire to not. I’ve acquired an excellent buddy that twisted my arm, I’ve acquired one horse for him, and he is sending me one other one. There have been others which have come to me and requested if I’d practice their horse, and I inform them straight-up, this isn’t my choice, this isn’t my profession. I am doing it for myself, and I like doing issues my means.
Some folks have proven me horses that I don’t like, if somebody confirmed me a horse I appreciated, I’d take into account it, so it might be one thing I do sooner or later.
BH: What’s your favourite a part of coaching? What retains you getting up each morning?
RS: I like watching them practice within the morning and develop. In my case, it is much more satisfying as a result of I do the crossings myself. I see them once they’re born, they usually can hardly put 4 toes with rhythm, they usually develop and grow to be these majestic animals.
Once they run for the primary time, I have been ready virtually three years to see it occur. Once they win—after all a stakes race is extra thrilling—however even when they win a $12,500 maiden-claiming race, it is simply a tremendous feeling.
BH: What are your objectives for the longer term?
RS: I wish to return to the Kentucky Derby (G1). I used to be lucky to run in it in 2011 with Decisive Second, a homebred. It was an excellent expertise, I might like to return and win it this time. I wish to win extra stakes races and have an excellent product and simply do good for the trade. These are my objectives.
