Arcadia, Calif. – TOC will partner with trainers Jim Cassidy, Matt Chew, Paddy Gallagher and Howard Zucker to offer a FREE “Conformation Clinic” at Santa Anita on Saturday, May 13. The informal workshop is intended to help participants develop an “eye” for a horse. Attendees will visit the trainers’ barns, where they will view a variety of horses to identify their conformation strengths and weaknesses.
Cassidy has trained multiple graded stakes winners including Prize Exhibit, The Usual QT, Evening Jewel, Tom’s Tribute, Ocho Ocho Ocho and Ticker Tape. A native of the Bronx, NY, his first jobs at the racetrack were with Joe Cantey and Frank Whiteley on the east coast circuit. After moving to California in 1981, he worked for Darrell Vienna and Brian Mayberry before opening his own stable. He currently serves as president of the California Thoroughbred Trainers (CTT).
A third-generation horseman, Chew has been successfully training racehorses since 1982. He regularly runs horses at Santa Anita, Del Mar, and Golden Gate Fields. He trained Singing Kitty, winner of the California Cup Oaks. Chew designs a training regimen unique to each horse, assessing individual characteristics and building on their strengths. He has participated in many TOC conformation clinics and seminars over the years and has developed a very professional presentation.
Gallagher has saddled over 4,500 starters for 573 victories and more than $30 million in earnings. His notable runners include Magical Fantasy, Flamboyant, Dice Flavor, Valbenny, Aggie Engineer, and Tucked Away. Gallagher began working in racing in his native Ireland riding as an amateur jockey before coming to the U.S., where he worked as assistant to the legendary Bill Shoemaker before going out on his own in 1997. The Gallagher team takes pride in developing happy, healthy horses to reach their full potential.
A native of New York, Zucker has been training Thoroughbreds for more than 40 years, beginning at racetracks on the east coast before relocating to California in 1983. He has developed and trained stakes horses such as Crafty C.T., Madame Pietra, Awesome Daze, Moscow Changes, Our Shining Hour, Synnin and Grinnin, Queen of the Catsle, and Well Monied. A very accessible trainer, he is always happy to spend time educating new owners and has provided his expertise at TOC educational seminars and conformation clinics numerous times.
The event will begin at 10:00 a.m. at the Top O’ The Stretch just past Clockers’ Corner at Santa Anita Park. Santa Anita Park is located at 285 W. Huntington Dr., Arcadia, CA 91007. Since the workshops will take place in the stable area, suitable footwear is recommended. Although it is free and open to the public, reservations are recommended and can be made by clicking here, or by calling us at (626) 574-6620.
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