A popular feature for The HIDDEN BROOK TIMES is a Q&A with some of our valued clients and friends. Kathleen Buckley and her son Jimmy, longtime racing fans and restaurateurs, have been involved with Hidden Brook since its inception. They recently took some time to chat with us about Thoroughbred racing and life in general.
Residence & Family:
Kathleen lives in Brooklyn in the house where she and her husband Jimmy raised the Buckley family (Jimmy, Christine and Kathyann)
Jimmy and his family live in the Rockaways (wife Margaret, and children: James - 17, Bridget - 16, Connor - 14, Brendan - 12, Mairead - 9)
Businesses: Buckley's Restaurant & Caterers in Brooklyn, NY and Kennedy's On the Bay in Breezy Point, NY
Kathleen - Your family has long been involved in the restaurant, bar and catering business; how did you develop an interest in horseracing? We established Buckley's in 1972, Kennedy's in 1981. My first date with my husband Jimmy was at the Big A. One year later, Jimmy hit a daily double and purchased my engagement ring! I've been interested in the racetrack ever since. We were happily married for 44 years until he passed away in July 2010.
Jimmy - How do you find the time to enjoy the horses while running a full time restaurant and catering business?
It is a very demanding business, but I'm very fortunate to have a wonderful business partner - my sister, Christine. So, now we both have the ability to take some time off and know the family business is in good hands.
Kathleen - How involved is the rest of the Buckley Family in racing? My son Jimmy has become more involved with me on the horses, and I always ask his opinion when an opportunity presents itself. I also raise horses in partnership with my brother Gerard. And my children and grandchildren have always enjoyed our outings to the racetrack. We enjoy some family trips to see our horses run, and this past February I was fortunate to be able to spend a day at Gulfstream with my brothers Gerard and Frankie.
Who was the most favorite horse you have owned or raced?
Kathleen - Quiet Meadow (a Hidden Brook racing partnership and multiple graded stakes daughter of El Prado who raced until she was five and earned over $316,000).
Jimmy - Duveen (a multiple graded stakes winner the Buckleys bred in partnership), who ran on Kentucky Oaks Day in 2007 in the Crown Royal American Turf Stakes (G3). I was there with my dad (Jimmy) and my friend Jimmy, and Duveen won, so we ended up getting in the Winner's Circle at Churchill Downs, which was quite a thrill. Then we ended up in the Stakes room with a sponsor tray of Crown Royal in rocksglasses. I'm a beer drinker, but that was best Crown Royal I ever had!
Jimmy - How did your family become involved with Hidden Brook? It started with the friendship that my father had with Jack. The relationship began way back then, and that was essentially how my dad became involved with Hidden Brook. My dad would turn to Jack for advice on the horses, and when Jack eventually became involved with Hidden Brook, it was a natural progression. He valued not only the friendship they had but also the horse knowledge Jack offered. He even prescribed horse liniment once for my Mom's sprained ankle!
You've known Jack longer than most of us - is he as good a handicapper as he claims?
(Both chuckling) - Fifty-fifty maybe - but better than the weatherman! We have had many "Dead Crabs" over the years...emphasis on DEAD!
Jimmy - What makes the Hidden Brook experience different? I'm going to tell a story that sums up the Hidden Brook experience for us: Quiet Meadow was running at Monmouth Park in the Matchmaker Stakes (G3). It was three weeks after my father had passed away, and we all went to see her run. It was great to be together with the entire family and emotions were high. When the riders came out, in place of the Hidden Brook silks that Quiet Meadow's jockey usually wore, Alan (Garcia) had on the Buckley silks that my father would have run in. We found out later that Jack was responsible for getting that accomplished. For me, that example is how the Hidden Brook experience is different. It's like you're part of the family. Jack and the rest of the guys at Hidden Brook typify this family atmosphere.
Jimmy - What is the first race you can remember attending? I don't remember one specific race, but I do remember being dragged to every possible track in the region as a kid, whether it was Aqueduct, Belmont, Saratoga or Monmouth. I have distinct memories of being at the track a lot!
Kathleen - What do you think was your most memorable experience in racing? Going to the Kentucky Derby in 2008 for the first time with my husband Jimmy, my son Jimmy, and my grandson Jimmy. We went to watch Duveen run in the Woodford Reserve Turf Classic on Oaks Day, and thanks to the boys at Hidden Brook, we traveled in style and partied all night! That was the Derby that Big Brown won, so it was great to be involved with the team that found him. They gave my grandson a Big Brown hat that he still talks about to this day. It was actually the first time my husband and I had been to the Derby...and he was practically born under the tote board!
Jimmy - What advice would you have for others who want to get in the game? Quite simple - talk to the boys at Hidden Brook. You won't be disappointed. What they bring to the table individually and collectively is unmatched. They will guard you every step of the way. Whether you have 5% or 100% of a horse, they treat you the same.
What do you like to do when you have some time off? Jimmy: (laughing) Aside from betting? We also enjoy going to the Hamptons as a family. Getting back to being involved in the restaurant business; it's a difficult industry. At the very least we try to get the whole group out during holidays like Memorial Day, the Fourth of July and Labor Day. Kathleen: And I also enjoy reading and of course, going to the races!
Favorite meal? Jimmy: I'm a steak guy, so I would say Roast Prime Rib is one on my favorite meals. Kathleen: Meat Loaf with Mac & Cheese - Comfort food!
Final comments? Jimmy: We look forward to more opportunities with Hidden Brook in the very near future. This love of horses and going to the track, and betting, is something I learned as a kid growing up and it has been passed down to the entire family. My boys, Christine's boys, they all really enjoy going to the track and hearing about Grammy's horses and what they are up to. I'm very happy that my father passed his love of racing down; it has afforded us countless memories that we will all cherish.
