Trainer Anthony Farrior is this week’s The Player’s Edge guest. He’s riser you want to keep an eye on at Laurel Park and Charles Town Racetrack. He’s coming off his best year by far and is hitting at pace to start 2022, winning 29 of 74 races!
He has two horses running at Laurel Park, BENEATH THE STARS in the Wide Country Stakes in race 4 and TREASURE TROVE in the John B Campbell Stakes in race 9. He’ll let us know about their chances and more.
Follow Anthony Farrior on Twitter: https://twitter.com/FarriorRacing
Q&A with Trainer Anthony Farrior
HRR: Tell us, how did you get into horse racing?
Anthony Farrior: Growing up in Kentucky, horse racing is all around you. Going to the races is something that my parents loved to do and as a young kid I always would go with them. It was just something I grew to love as well.
HRR: Your trainer career kind of got off to a late start. Why did it take you a little longer than most to get it going?
Anthony Farrior: I didn’t really get serious in my training career until my late 20’s. I had my twins at a young age and tried to do the typical 9-5 job to be at home with them. My brother wanted to claim a few horses and it was “a just for fun thing” at first, but after a while, I knew it was something that I wanted to do as a full-time job.
HRR: You’ve said that a lot of the “luck” comes from relationships with good owners. How do you go about making connections and earning their trust?
Trainer Anthony Farrior at the Track
Anthony Farrior: I take a lot of pride in the appearance of my horses. I believe if you look good and feel good you run good. I’ve had a lot of people approach me and say my horses always look good. I am always at the races not only because it is my job, but it is something I enjoy. I’ve met a lot of people from just being around the track. I am a people person I enjoy talking to and meeting new people. So, making connections is the easier part.
As far as earning their trust, I just make sure to do the best thing for the horse and be open with the owners. After having owners for so long, I’ve realized that the business relationship ends up being more of a personal relationship, because this job is not your typical 9-5. I always make myself available to the owners if they have questions or concerns, we address them together and make the best decisions we can.
HRR: Along with good owners, getting the right jockey on the right horse helps to. What’s your process for matching horses to jockeys?
Anthony Farrior: It’s all about knowing your horse, likes, dislikes, strengths and weaknesses; and watching the jockeys and listening to what they have to say. The jockeys have different styles in riding, some are more aggressive, and some are more laid back. Knowing your horses’ strengths and weaknesses really helps to pick the best jockey.
HRR: You’ve made your mark by claiming horses and then walking them up the class ladder. A few trainers told us they have a specific race in mind when they claim a horse. Is that your approach too?
Anthony Farrior: Yes, that is the approach I take. You always want to have options when you claim a horse. I like to claim a horse that has the 1x left so if they improve that is a nice race to win.
HRR: What advice would you give to knock around horseplayers that have an itch to own a horse and are interested in claiming a horse?
Anthony Farrior: My advice is, if you want to get into horse racing, start slow, claim one horse and make sure it’s something you enjoy.
HRR: Right now, you are a riser in the mid-Atlantic tracks like Charles Town and Laurel Park. Do you plan on branching out and entering some at tracks with bigger purses? And if so, which tracks do you feel are the best fit for you and why?
Anthony Farrior: Never say never, if I am approached with that opportunity to do so, I believe I would, but as for now I am happy where I am at with both tracks.
HRR: Do you wager on horses? If you do, how do you look at horses as a bettor versus a trainer?
Anthony Farrior: I don’t usually bet on my owners’ horses. But sometimes, I will if I see the horse is doing really well.
HRR: Many folks go to the track for fun, but it’s where you go to work. What do you do for fun when you aren’t at the track?
Anthony Farrior: Very rarely am I not at the track, but it is a big positive for me because it’s not only where I work but I enjoy being there. I do enjoy taking a cruise in the winter months to get away from the cold for a few weeks.
