36 SIDELINES OCTOBER 2014
FOR HORSE PEOPLE • ABOUT HORSE PEOPLE
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Retired Racehorse Project
Off-the-Track Trainer
Transforms Thoroughbreds
By Dani Moritz
When Nuno Santos takes in an off-the-track Thoroughbred to
start a new career, he knows how it feels because Nuno has made
the transition himself.
After moving from Portugal to the United States in 1996 to work
at the racetrack in California, Nuno temporarily shifted gears from
his roots in classical dressage and jumping to galloping feisty
Thoroughbreds — including 2000 Kentucky Derby winner Fusaichi
Pegasus and two Breeder’s Cup winners, Ghostzapper and Azeri.
Eventually, Nuno went on to work for Bobby Frankel until Bobby
died in 2009. When describing working with the racing legend,
Nuno says, “It was unbelievable. He wasn’t a very social person,
but he was the kind of person who was born to train horses and
love his dogs. That’s why he was the best.”
Finding himself without someone to work for after Bobby’s
death, Nuno decided to revisit his former pursuits of jumping and
dressage with Santos Sport Horses, based in Maryland. Today,
he utilizes his passion and experiences to give Thoroughbreds a
second chance.
That’s why it was the perfect opportunity for Nuno to participate
in the Retired Racehorse Project’s 2013 America’s Most Wanted
Thoroughbred Contest — and return in 2014.
“When they asked me to come and do it again, I said yes right
away because it’s a great cause and they do a great job,” Nuno
said enthusiastically.
Last year, Nuno acquired Thane from Darley USA (Sheikh
Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum’s global Thoroughbred
breeding operation) for the contest and this year he has another
well-bred Thoroughbred from Darley named Now And Then,
a 16.3-hand gelding by Tiznow and out of Holiday Runner by
Meadowlake. With only four starts, Now And Then didn’t make
the best racehorse, but he’s on his way to making an impressive
dressage horse.
Nuno describes Now And Then as a gentle giant. “He’s a
very easygoing horse and he’s a big horse. He’s got a good
temperament. I can already put my young girls on him to walk and
trot. He’s got a very good mind.”
In his quest to showcase Thoroughbred talent, Nuno is also
busy working with Ken’s Kitten, by leading sire Kitten’s Joy. Ken’s
Kitten is currently competing at Third Level and, according to
Nuno, he’s already beating some of the Warmbloods.
It’s no secret that Thoroughbreds have a special place in
Nuno’s heart, so he’s looking forward to returning to the America’s
Most Wanted Thoroughbred Contest. “I’m thrilled that they put this
makeover together because it’s great not only for horses, but for
people to see that the Thoroughbred can do it all,” he said.
Nuno adds that
what he loves most about the breed is the
energy they put into their work. While he realizes they don’t have
the naturally supple build that Warmbloods do, he knows that
with a little time and patience, Thoroughbreds can perform just as
great — maybe even greater.
For more information about Nuno and the 2014 America’s Most
Wanted Thoroughbred Contest, visit
.
Photos Courtesy of Santos Sport Horses
Nuno schooling Now And Then, his mount for this year’s
Thoroughbred Makeover competition.
The gentle giant sporting Nuno’s hat.
