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Inside the WINNER'S CIRCLE
with Clark Brewster
 A popular feature for The HIDDEN BROOK TIMES is a Q&A with some of our valued clients. Clark Brewster, a trial lawyer who is considered one of the preeminent lawyers in the Southwest, has been a client of Hidden Brook's for four years. We connected via phone late in November to garner a few of his thoughts on the Thoroughbred industry and life in general.
Birthplace: Marlette, Michigan
Schooling: B.S. from Central Michigan University; Juris Doctor from University of Tulsa Law School
Residence: Tulsa, OK
Family: Wife and 3 wonderful children (2 who have become lawyers and 1 at Oklahoma University)
Primary business: Brewster & De Angelis Law Offices, Tulsa, Oklahoma
Mr. Brewster, thank you for your ongoing patience in getting this Q&A done. First off--I have to really admire a man who names one of his horses Love My Life. [Laughs]. That really expresses my sentiments and my wife's. She will often say, 'I love my life.' We have an incredibly charmed life, especially over the past several years.
How did you get interested in horses? I grew up with horses. My family had a small dairy farm. My dad was a horse lover. My dad bought my first horse when I was two--she lived until she was 35. Once you develop a love for horses, it never goes away. It renews itself with each encounter of being close to horses. I try to experience that feeling in my life as regularly as possible.
Tell us about Cherokee Queen. You purchased her last November, raced her to a stakes win early this season, got her in foal, and just sold her for the highest price of any mare in foal to Malibu Moon this year. Whew! She actually won two stakes in a row, then had a heart-breaking second in a stakes--and we ran her just three times. She was just a thrilling horse for us. Our purchase of her was rather fortuitous. I had taken a friend who had never been to the races to last year's Breeders' Cup at Churchill. Our flight did not leave until 2:00, so I decided to treat him to another experience he hadn't had, a first-class horse auction, Keeneland. But we could only stay for about 100 hips. I talked to Stuart Angus at Taylor Made, and he said 'I have a good mare who has something left for the races.' I went to see her and immediately she took my breath away. I guess you could say it was love at first sight. She exudes a quality and visual class you want to see in a racehorse. I stayed with it, and got her bought. She confirmed my belief in her at the track. And true to her great form, she got pregnant on one cover. We are looking forward to buying one of her babies some day.
How did you discover Hidden Brook? Some years ago, we had crossed paths on a horse, and Mike Recio gave me a call in following up soon afterwards. He's such a responsive, well intentioned, good-humored and knowledgeable person that we struck up a friendship, and began doing business with Hidden Brook. We fell into a relationship that we feel is a trusted, knowledgeable, respectful relationship. As a lawyer you soon learn who in the profession have integrity, and in whom you can repose trust. Hidden Brook, in the race horse industry, has that reputation. They want to do right by the customer and equally important, by their horses.
How has the Hidden Brook experience been different for you than any other experience? I have been in the race game since 1989--24 years. I have had experience with a number of different farms and bloodstock representatives, and formed many relationships, most of them positive. I feel most comfortable with Hidden Brook right now. I feel we have a very bright future together.
What parts of the business do you especially like? My wife and I have a home in New York which is adjacent to the Oklahoma Training Track. More than just the racing part, I love to see animals who are happy in their environment. We also have a large working cattle ranch--4200 acres. We have horses there as well, and love to watch the babies in the spring. The best, the ideal, would be to raise and race the mother and then foal her baby, watch it go to track, and be successful. We have had that great experience a number of times.
Tell us about your own personal most exciting moment in racing. We've had a few stakes mares we've grown very close to. We had a wonderful mare, Smile on My Face, who was a multiple stakes winner, and really confirmed our continued presence in the business. As thrilling as any, however, was Cherokee Queen's win in successive stakes after we purchased her. I must also commend the tremendous job that Steve Margolis did with the mare. It was our first horse with Steve, and that relationship will continue.
What advice would you have for others who want to get in the game? I have some real direct advice. If you love the game, don't feel you can make all the decisions yourself. Find a knowledgeable professional with integrity and positive experience, and form a relationship of trust. Follow that person's advice. Honesty and ethics will deliver a winning combination for you. Look at it this way: if you had a serious legal matter, you would find the best, most respected lawyer. It's the same thing in the horse business.
Favorite racetrack? Saratoga.My wife and I have spent time at the great racetracks in England, Ireland, Australia, and have been to nearly every racetrack in America--even the small ones. But Saratoga is special, and anyone who's ever been there knows it.
First thing you read in the morning? The newspaper--2 or 3 of them. I read the local paper as well as the New York Times and the internet version of the Huffington Post.
Favorite sports team? Oklahoma City Thunder. We are season ticket holders.
Favorite meal? Thanksgiving meal. My wife makes it for me, two or three times a year.
Best advice someone gave you? My father said: 'No matter what happens, no one can take education from you.' He had an eighth grade education himself. But he told me at age seven, I had two choices: auctioneer or lawyer.
Thank you Clark Brewster, for giving us a few minutes of your time inside the Winner's Circle.
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