TDN Q&A: Gonçalo Borges Torrealba

Gonçalo Borges Torrealba | Keeneland photo

In 2016, Three Chimneys Farm and the Breeders' Cup paired to introduce and present the 'Breeders' Edition' of the Breeders' Cup trophy to the breeder of the winner of each World Championship race. With the farm continuing to recognize breeders in 2017, Ben Massam of the TDN sat down with Chairman Gonçalo Borges Torrealba to discuss the importance of breeders to both Three Chimneys and the industry as a whole.

TDN: Three Chimneys is the presenting sponsor of the 'Breeders Edition' trophies at the Breeders' Cup. Why did you decide to recognize breeders this way?

GT: I come from Brazil, and in South America, we do not make a distinction between owners and breeders. When any horse wins a graded stakes, there are two exact replicas presented to the owner and breeder. To me, it was a bit difficult to adapt to the culture of only presenting a trophy to the winning owner. When I saw the opportunity at the Breeders' Cup, I thought it would be interesting to recognize the breeders. Not to take anything away from the owners, but we need breeders.

TDN: On a surface level, some who aren't as familiar with the game might define success solely as brilliance on the racetrack. Do you think that success can also be defined as a mastery of bloodlines or accomplishments in the breeding shed?

GT: There is not one without the other–we are all interlinked. Breeders, owners, trainers and jockeys are all part of a big family that loves horses and horse racing at the end of the day. Obviously, there is no racing without breeding. For me, personally, I love both the racing and breeding aspects. I started as an owner and became a breeder. Since then, I have loved coming to the farm and looking at my broodmares, the weanlings and the yearlings.

TDN: Perhaps the answer to this question is obvious, but why is the Breeders' Cup so important to breeders?

GT: The Kentucky Derby is a great event, but it is basically restricted to 3-year-old colts. The Breeders' Cup caters to all kinds of surfaces, distances, sexes and abilities. It's the total deal–it's where Horse of the Year is crowned and it's where Eclipse Awards are decided.

TDN: Will Take Charge and Strong Mandate are off to a fast start at the yearling sales. Are you pleased with the reception you've gotten to this point?

GT: We could not have been more pleased. I can tell you that we did not expect what we've seen through the year. The reception to the Will Take Charges was stellar and the Strong Mandates have been unbelievable. I think he averaged 10 times his stud fee, and as you know, it's a very competitive market.

TDN: How meaningful is loyalty from breeders and returning clients when you think about a blueprint for long-term success at Three Chimneys?

GT: Loyalty is what we're aiming for. We're here trying to bring the best horses at reasonable prices, so that our clients will come back. So far, it's been very good. Three Chimneys has a long history, standing Seattle Slew, Dynaformer, Rahy–it's an endless list, really. What we're trying to do is keep on going. Breeding is where it all starts–you raise a horse, then you break him and everything else follows. That's how it starts.

TDN: What is your outlook for the immediate future?

GT: Next year, we have Palace Malice and Fast Anna's first foals as yearlings. So far, so good. We're keeping our fingers crossed. Hopefully we can give some of those breeders the trophies for the 2-year-old races.

 

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