Who has been the biggest inspiration in your career?
JO: Josephine Abercrombie took a big chance in appointing me (aged 22) as manager of Pin Oak Stud, Kentucky in the mid-1980s. Some trusted older and wiser mentors guided me through that part of my career, but the biggest inspiration came from someone even younger than I was. Clifford Barry joined the Pin Oak team a few years after me. He came with strong recommendations from his Irish employers. From day one he brought a work ethic, attention to detail and level of integrity to his profession which inspired me then and continues to do so.
What's the best advice you've ever been given?
JO: I think that the worst advice is “when in danger, when in doubt, run in circles, scream and shout.” The best advice I have been given–and more than once–is “do nothing.” In times of crisis, we can feel the need to do something radical, but keeping the faith and staying the course achieve better long term outcomes.
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