Our newest feature in The HIDDEN BROOK TIMES is a Q&A with some of our valued clients. Chevy dealership owner Diane Connell, a self-titled "Air Force brat" who has lived all over the world, has been a Hidden Brook client for five years, primarily as a boarding client and yearling consignor. Diane owns a 700-acre ranch in central Texas, near Fort Hood. Her primary businesses may be cars and cattle, but she has a lifelong love of horses. Here are a few of her thoughts on the Thoroughbred industry and life in general.
Born: White Plains, NY
Residence: Nolan Creek Farm, Nolanville, TX
Education: Graduated University of Texas
("Hook 'Em Horns")
Primary business: Connell Chevrolet, Killeen, TX
Diane, how is life treating you? Life's good. I spend most of my time in the car world, as you would imagine when your name is on the business. I also try and stay on top of racing, reading the two weekly publications as soon as they come. And then I follow world politics, as my granddaughter April Gustafson (shown here with Diane at the Kentucky Derby) is in Iraq with the Kentucky National Guard.
You are the owner of Hearts On Fire, who was runner-up in three big stakes this year, including the $200,000 Iowa Oaks (G3). What has that been like! It's been great. I was able to go to Oaklawn for the Instant Racing Stakes, and to the Iowa Oaks.
How did you come to find Hearts On Fire? I bought her as a yearling. I was great friends for many, many years with Jack Finley & his wife Jo Ann-Jack was in horses all his life. He raced Lite Light, and he picked her out of the Keeneland sale. He was nice enough to tell me what he looked for in yearlings. I continue to buy yearlings at Keeneland. I love that aspect of it-finding the horse. And then I sent her to Taffy Jones at Benchmark Training Center here in Texas. He does such a great job. I really love the business.
What got you started in the Thoroughbred industry? My first horse-the first yearling I ever purchased in Kentucky at Keeneland-was Cinemine. [Ed note: 8-time stakes winner and multiple NTR-setter between 1998-2000]. I had been going up there for several years with Jack and Jo Ann. I had plenty of help in getting her. Tommy Oliphant, who trained horses for over 50 years and is in the Texas Hall of Fame, was standing there when I saw her. I didn't even know how to bid. A Texas vet-Ken Quirk-bid for me, and we got her for $20,000. I was alarmed that maybe something was wrong. But she went on to earn over $500,000. Needless to say, I was hooked.
You give a lot of credit to your friends and advisors. I have been lucky to have knowledgeable horsemen help me.
How many horses do you currently have? I have four in training. I just bought a yearling by Fusaichi Pegasus at Keeneland. I have a weanling by Broken Vow out of a mare that I board at Hidden Brook. This year I sold a Big Brown yearling at Keeneland September. Now, on my farm, I have a collection of horses. Some are off the track and some are the family's old hunter jumpers, school ponies. I ride when I can.
What drew you to Hidden Brook? A good Texas friend of mine, John Adger-who is so generous with his knowledge and his friends-recommended them. And it has been a beautiful relationship.
How has the Hidden Brook experience been different? I really can't compare it with any other, because they are the only operation I've ever been with. But I wouldn't go looking for anyone else, because the farm is so well managed, the animals so well taken care of. The Hidden Brook team-Sergio, Dan and Jack-have been most helpful in the breeding and consigning aspect. I especially want to cite Alan. Any time I want to see my horses, no matter what time it is, he takes me. And Coy-I don't ever have to ask for pictures, she just sends me pictures. So I feel that even though I am far away geographically, I still get to watch them grow-from foal to weanling to yearling-I'm in the loop!
Describe your most exciting moment in racing. No question, it's Cinemine. She won so many stakes races, but the one that really stands out is the Thoroughbred Club of
America S. (G3) at Keeneland. The track is so spectacular... anything at Keeneland is special, but especially a Graded race. That experience stands out like no other.
What magazines are on your night stand. The only non business things I read are The Blood-Horse and the Thoroughbred Times.
Favorite sports team. I am not into any other sport other than racing.
Favorite place to eat and favorite meal. I've got lots-
I'm easy.
Favorite quote or creedo. "We need to remember the horse." All of us who are participants in this industry need to think of that all the time.
Thank you Diane Connell, for giving us a few minutes in the
Winner's Circle.
