One of the most popular features of The HIDDEN BROOK TIMES is a Q&A with some of our valued clients. Mike McMahon is a scion of the McMahon family who foaled, raised and sold Kentucky Derby-winning Champion Funny Cide. Mike has known several of the Hidden Brook partners for decades, and in 2009 they joined forces in a weanling-to-yearling pinhooking venture. In mid-March, he took some time with us Inside the Winner's Circle.
Born: Saratoga Springs, NY August 11, 1971
Residence: Versailles, KY
Family: wife Natanya Nieman DVM - resident vet at Winstar; daughter Madison Age 6, almost 7; son Aidan, age 5
Education: Cornell University
BS Ag Economics, Small business and entrepreneur program
Primary business: Bloodstock consulting
Good morning, Mike. Your family is so well known throughout the industry, both for their farm in Upstate New York and of course, as the home of Funny Cide. Was yours a natural progression into the Thoroughbred industry? It was a logical progression. I worked on our farm with our family. There were a few employees, so we all worked hands on. Maintenance, crops, construction, and most importantly, horsemanship. My brother and I exercised horses on the Oklahoma Training Track before we could drive! (my dad's uncle Howard Reilly was the outrider). I started out pre-vet at Cornell, then became more interested in business. I was still thinking mainstream business (make a million bucks and buy the horses and farm second), when my dad brought me to a Keeneland January Sale and showed me around. The scope of the auction woke me up to how big the Thoroughbred business really is. I was very naive about that. Soon after graduating, I traveled to Europe and enrolled in the Irish National Stud course.
What are your own greatest strengths as a horseman? I have a good knack for buying solid horses that are under the radar. Our McMahon and Hill Bloodstock purchases often run in stakes, and the mares often produce a stakes horse. On the farm, I enjoy being with the yearlings and working with them. Hopefully this makes me a better horse buyer.
What has been your personal highlight in racing? Without a doubt, Funny Cide. We have bought 18 graded stakes horses and mares who have produced 20 graded babies, but Funny Cide was special because it helped to put the family farm on the map. It was funny, but by moving away from home I was able to send something back and it turned out to be a Derby winner! That success truly belongs to my parents and my brother John and his wife Kate. Natanya and I have had our share of success from pinhooking scores (205 to 825K) and on the race tracks. These days I am enjoying our fledgling Bourbon Lane Stable - Bourbon Courage and Johannesbourbon are two of the most exciting three year olds to run in 2012.
How did you discover Hidden Brook? I have known the Hidden Brook partners for about 15 years, maybe 20! Most were involved with Adena Springs at one time or another, and when we lived in Ocala in the late 90's we socialized together (nice word for partied!). Natanya really admires Sergio's wife Karen Wolfsdorf, DVM, as a mentor and a friend, and I have a ton of respect for Dan, Danny, Mark, Jack and Sergio professionally. I had been looking for a Kentucky farm to house our clients' mares. I wanted brutal honesty on the horses, lots of acreage, a nice facility and affordable costs (sales commissions and daily expenses). I wanted excellent vet care and I wanted it to be with people that Natanya and I each like to socialize (there's that word again) with! Hidden Brook fits our business perfectly.
How has the Hidden Brook experience been different? We have clients that work with other farms in Kentucky and they all do a great job. Hidden Brook is different though. I never doubt the motives behind the advice, and I think Sergio runs a very good farm. I like that he appreciates the land and does a lot of the work on his own. Dan and Jack do a great job on bloodstock, and we have been very happy with the ventures we have partnered on - primarily flipping weanlings and mares. Karen is one of the best reproductive vets in the country - tough to fault all around!
What advice do you have for those who want to get in the game? Don't be afraid to race horses. Although it is expensive to race, you need to do it to have a better understanding of how the business, including breeding, works.
What publications do you read? I am a junkie and read everything to do with the Thoroughbred industry. Most of the time I don't read the daily newspaper.
What do you do in your spare time? Play with Madison and Aidan. They are growing up so quickly. Madison likes to ride and play piano, and they both play soccer. Aidan plays Star Wars and Army man right now. They are a blast and I don't need any other incentive to turn my phone off before dinner and on Sundays.
Favorite vacation spot? Tough one; we take a trip per year if we have a good yearling sale! I could probably go to Saratoga for the races and be very happy. Natanya likes a more exotic trip!
Favorite sports teams? New York Yankees.
Favorite food or place to eat? Ever since the Black Tulip and The Bistro (both in Midway) closed, I really like to eat at home! When breeding season is not in full swing, Natanya really likes to cook a nice meal and I am all for that!! My favorite place to go out is still Midway, and we eat at the Heirloom most often. Steak sandwich for lunch is good eats.
Thank you Mike McMahon, for giving us a few minutes of your time Inside the Winner's Circle.
