Around the Track | Horse Radio Network

Bill Rood didn't grow up around horses but once he came in contact with "God's kindest creatures," he knew he wanted to care for them as a veterinarian. Along with partner Thomas Riddle, he eventually he turned a "box" on a farm into Rood & Riddle Equine Hospital, a world-renowned facility with locations in Lexington, Ky., Saratoga Springs, NY., and Wellington, Fla. In today's edition of Around the Track, Dr. Rood tells the story of how Rood & Riddle came to be and evolve, the tale of a broodmare and her remarkable mating with Secretariat, and he discusses the past and future of equine medicine.  Listen in...

Bill Rood didn't grow up around horses but once he came in contact with "God's kindest creatures," he knew he wanted to care for them as a veterinarian. Along with partner Thomas Riddle, he eventually he turned a "box" on a farm into Rood & Riddle Equine Hospital, a world-renowned facility with locations in Lexington, Ky., Saratoga Springs, NY., and Wellington, Fla. In today's edition of Around the Track, Dr. Rood tells the story of how Rood & Riddle came to be and evolve, the tale of a broodmare and her remarkable mating with Secretariat, and he discusses the past and future of equine medicine.  Listen in...

Dale Romans doesn't know what he would've done without horses. Growing up with dyslexia and difficulty learning in a traditional environment made school painful for Romans. After school, though, he could go "home" to the horses in his father's barn at Churchill Downs. Today, Dale still trains at that same barn, and over the course of the last 30 years, he's carved out a training career anyone would be proud to call their own. In this edition of Around the Track, Romans shares stories from his early days, tales of the smartest horse he's ever been around, and discusses issues in the industry.

Dale Romans doesn't know what he would've done without horses. Growing up with dyslexia and difficulty learning in a traditional environment made school painful for Romans. After school, though, he could go "home" to the horses in his father's barn at Churchill Downs. Today, Dale still trains at that same barn, and over the course of the last 30 years, he's carved out a training career anyone would be proud to call their own. In this edition of Around the Track, Romans shares stories from his early days, tales of the smartest horse he's ever been around, and discusses issues in the industry.

Looking back on the voices and stories we heard this year on Around the Track, it’s a satisfying and well-rounded mosaic of racing history and moments, joy and heartbreak, laughter and tears, determination and courage. We heard from jockeys, trainers, owners, breeders, agents, race callers, journalists, and Thoroughbred retirement advocates — each with a unique story of their life in the racing industry but also a shared bond, sewn together by a passion for the sport and for the horses at the heart of it. In this year-end edition of Around the Track, we replay some of the stories we heard.

Looking back on the voices and stories we heard this year on Around the Track, it’s a satisfying and well-rounded mosaic of racing history and moments, joy and heartbreak, laughter and tears, determination and courage. We heard from jockeys, trainers, owners, breeders, agents, race callers, journalists, and Thoroughbred retirement advocates — each with a unique story of their life in the racing industry but also a shared bond, sewn together by a passion for the sport and for the horses at the heart of it. In this year-end edition of Around the Track, we replay some of the stories we heard.

At the top of his game, Ramon Dominguez was among the best who ever sat on a horse in a starting gate. His Hall of Fame career, cut short by a devastating spill, began in his native Venezuela and flourished when he came to the U.S. In this episode of Around the Track, Dominguez shares stories from his riding life, a perspective on a professional athlete "in the zone," and he talks about how he transitioned his life when being a jockey was taken away from him.

At the top of his game, Ramon Dominguez was among the best who ever sat on a horse in a starting gate. His Hall of Fame career, cut short by a devastating spill, began in his native Venezuela and flourished when he came to the U.S. In this episode of Around the Track, Dominguez shares stories from his riding life, a perspective on a professional athlete "in the zone," and he talks about how he transitioned his life when being a jockey was taken away from him.

Having grown up with a fifth generation Standardbred training father and a mother who ran the family's breeding farm, Anna Ford has been around horses since the first day of her life. In her role at New Vocations, a celebrated Thoroughbred retraining and rehoming organization, Ford has helped extend the useful lives of hundreds of ex-racehorses. In this episode of Around the Track, learn about the evolution of the racing industry's involvement in Thoroughbred aftercare, favorite stories of adoption, and more about the challenges and rewards of getting racehorses into second careers.

Having grown up with a fifth generation Standardbred training father and a mother who ran the family's breeding farm, Anna Ford has been around horses since the first day of her life. In her role at New Vocations, a celebrated Thoroughbred retraining and rehoming organization, Ford has helped extend the useful lives of hundreds of ex-racehorses. In this episode of Around the Track, learn about the evolution of the racing industry's involvement in Thoroughbred aftercare, favorite stories of adoption, and more about the challenges and rewards of getting racehorses into second careers.

Ron Ebanks has led quite the adventurous life. The former jockey and longtime jockey agent has seen it all, from near-death experiences to run-ins with the mafia, to chickens riding racehorses. In this edition of Around the Track, Ebanks tells stories from a life that began in the Caribbean and the bush tracks of Louisiana, a life that could (and will next year) fill a book. Ebanks also speaks candidly about racing behind the scenes, cheating in the game and the struggles jockeys often face on and off the track. Not to mention, where did he get that nickname?

Ron Ebanks has led quite the adventurous life. The former jockey and longtime jockey agent has seen it all, from near-death experiences to run-ins with the mafia, to chickens riding racehorses. In this edition of Around the Track, Ebanks tells stories from a life that began in the Caribbean and the bush tracks of Louisiana, a life that could (and will next year) fill a book. Ebanks also speaks candidly about racing behind the scenes, cheating in the game and the struggles jockeys often face on and off the track. Not to mention, where did he get that nickname?

Simon Bray grew up in Britain with a father who owned racehorses, so he had the good fortune of connections to the Thoroughbred industry. Bray has also had some tough luck through the years, both in his professional life and with his diagnosis of a rare form of blood cancer. He learned perseverance at a young age, and that helped Bray overcome misfortune and thrive in his career, currently as a popular on-air host at the horse racing network, TVG. In this episode of Around the Track, Bray tells stories from his days with legendary trainers Henry Cecil and Bill Mott, horses like the 'incomparable' Cigar, his battle with Multiple Myeloma, and much more.

Simon Bray grew up in Britain with a father who owned racehorses, so he had the good fortune of connections to the Thoroughbred industry. Bray has also had some tough luck through the years, both in his professional life and with his diagnosis of a rare form of blood cancer. He learned perseverance at a young age, and that helped Bray overcome misfortune and thrive in his career, currently as a popular on-air host at the horse racing network, TVG. In this episode of Around the Track, Bray tells stories from his days with legendary trainers Henry Cecil and Bill Mott, horses like the 'incomparable' Cigar, his battle with Multiple Myeloma, and much more.

Julie Krone's earliest memories contain horses, and her devotion to understanding the breed helped her become one of the greatest jockeys of all time, not to mention a pioneering athlete who was inducted into the National Women's Hall of Fame. In this episode of Around the Track, Krone tells stories of her rough-and-tumble early days (fighting a male jockey), shares how she re-taught a racehorse in nine minutes in the paddock, talks about what she had to learn before going on David Letterman, and discusses how she recovered from the emotional and physical torment caused by injuries.