Iowa Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association (ITBOA)

 

20 Questions with Jockey Ken Tohill

 

By Dennis and Brenda Bracewell

 

Bracewell:  This is your first year riding at Prairie Meadows.  What made you decide to come to Prairie Meadows, are you happy with that decision and will you be coming back?

Tohill:  I was looking for a good place to ride where we could spend the whole summer without so much moving around.  It’s been a great decision and we look forward to coming back next year.

 

Bracewell:  You’re currently winning 20% of your races and you’ve gotten in with some of Prairie Meadows top trainers like Tim Martin, Kelly Von Hemel, Michael Natale, Lynn Chleborad, Doug Anderson and others.  Does having a good, established Prairie Meadows agent like Gene Short give you a leg up in some of these barns?

Tohill:  Gene Short has done a really good job of getting me known around the racetrack.  It’s important to have a good agent to find opportunity; without a good agent you end up watching races instead of riding races. 

 

Bracewell:  Gene Short has had the book of some top riders including Kent Desormeaux in the early ‘90’s.  Did you know Gene prior to coming to Prairie Meadows and how did he end up with your book?

Tohill:  Gene had talked to (trainer) Chris Hartman looking for a rider and Chris got us together with Gene.  Gene and I just met this year.  I talked to (jockey) Jon Court and he gave him the thumbs-up!

 

Bracewell:  I believe you once told me you grew up wanting to race motorcycles, not horses.  Did you grow up around horses and racing and how did you decide you were going to be a jockey instead of a motorcycle racer?

Tohill:  I grew up raised mostly by my mother and sister.  My mom trained show horses, my sister was a very successful hunter-jumper and my dad was a jockey.  With that type of background I didn’t have much choice but to be a jockey. 

 

Bracewell:  You recently had a “surprise” birthday party with a group that included some jockeys, trainers and owners.  During that dinner I noticed you ate your entire 14 oz filet mignon.  Do you struggle with your riding weight like a lot of riders and what do you do to maintain your riding weight?

Tohill:  I have no problem with my weight.  I’ve always been active and am able to eat whatever I want. 

 

Bracewell:  Speaking of birthdays, you started riding in 1979 which makes you one of the older jockeys at Prairie Meadows.  And, looking at your record, it does not look like you are slowing down any.  How long would you like to continue riding and do you think you’ll win your 3,000 race in Iowa or New Mexico?

Tohill:  I had a couple years off (not riding so much) in the 90’s.  Since returning to the saddle I’ve felt real healthy and as long as I’m lucky enough not to get too injured, I’ll continue to do what I love – which is riding.

 

Bracewell:  You spent some of your early years riding in Northern California with racing’s all-time career leader in wins, Russell Baze.  You’ve also ridden some quarter horses with legends such as Jacky Martin and Kenny Hart.  What have you learned racing with/against some of these leading jocks and have any of these jocks ever taken you under their wing?

Tohill:  There were a lot of older, aggressive riders when I started riding who were all willing to teach you if you’d listen.  I did listen, but it didn’t quite make sense until I had a few years of riding experience.  I credit what talent I have on horseback to those riders.  I’ve also learned that you never quit learning.

 

Bracewell:  Coming from the heat and dry weather of New Mexico, how have you acclimated to the ever changing weather here in Iowa where it can go from extremely cold to extremely hot, humid and raining all in the same day?

Tohill:  After spending the last nine years in New Mexico, I’ve really enjoyed the difference in weather, the trees and the green grass of Iowa.

 

Bracewell:  Your wife, Robyn, had made friends with some of us here in Iowa on Facebook prior to your coming here.  Do you think her Facebook friends have helped smooth your transition to Iowa especially away from the track?  And, what do you like to do for fun or relaxation away from the track?

Tohill:  My wife is always a big part of my success.  Her social skills are much better than mine and we both have really enjoyed everyone that we’ve met in Iowa.  Riding is both my work and my fun at this stage in my life. 

 

Bracewell:  Some riders seem to just have “it” while others really have to work hard at their craft.  I noticed that you really move up a lot of horses but you’ve once told me you’re not a naturally gifted rider.  How do you explain the “move up” you give a lot of horses?

Tohill:  Some riders are born with a gift, that when they sit on a horse’s back, the horse will give them 110%.  I wasn’t that lucky.  I started too young and had to learn horsemanship on a daily basis, but I’m now comfortable with the outcome. 

 

Bracewell:  Living the transient life-style of a tracker you didn’t bring a lot of personal property like furniture to Iowa.  How do you get used to sleeping on an air mattress?

Tohill:  You have to sacrifice home-life stability in order to have this career.  It’s much more difficult on the children than it is on the adults. 

 

Bracewell:  There are certain trainers that can be very fickle with riders, but, since you might ride for them again in the future, you have to put up with that and put on your friendly face around them.  How do you deal with that type of trainer?

Tohill:  There are going to be ups and downs if you ride long enough for a trainer and we sometimes want to blame one another.  I try not to get upset when a trainer doesn’t feel lucky riding me.  I try to understand that they have a lot of pressures, too.  I always hope to ride for them again and the next time I want to become their lucky charm!

 

Bracewell:  With the success of both the jockeys and trainers of New Mexico at Prairie Meadows this year, do you anticipate additional New Mexico-based jockeys or trainers coming to Prairie Meadows next year or is it better off for all of us to keep this hidden gem to ourselves?

Tohill:  The racing game is very unpredictable and only God knows what will happen next. 

 

Bracewell:  What are some of the things you’ve enjoyed while being in Iowa and at Prairie Meadows?

Tohill:  We’ve met some wonderful people that have become our friends, we’ve had some great laughs at the local comedy club, and you have a great racing facility. 

 

Brenda Bracewell:  How do you go about letting the trainers/owners know about a problem with a horse?  Is it a fine line?  Do you offer the information on your own or wait to be asked?

Tohill:  Some trainers want to discuss it while others don’t want to hear it.  I like to mention how they feel and how they act and let the trainer choose whether or not to hear it.
 
Brenda Bracewell:  Do you like to have interaction with the owners you ride for, or does it create problems and added pressure?  Would you rather be "insulated" by your agent and trainer?

Tohill:  I like to spend time with good people, but yes it does create personal pressures that aren’t there when it’s only business. Thank goodness I won a race for you guys!
 
Brenda Bracewell:   I notice you are out at the track every morning riding your potential mounts.  Can you talk about the commitment it takes to keep that type of a schedule that includes morning workouts and afternoon or evening races?

Tohill:  This is all we know.  The schedule is normal to both a rider and trainer.
 
Brenda Bracewell:  Many times you may not even have been on that horse's back before "riders up" in the paddock.  Is there really enough time to get a feel for a horse by the time you reach the starting gate?

Tohill:  I’d prefer to know my horses before I ride them – more just to know their personalities.  I get along most of the time on new horses just fine.
 
Brenda Bracewell:  You've ridden in thousands of races by now.  Tell us about one or two of your most memorable races and what makes them stand out in your memory?

Tohill:  Every race that I win in a photo finish is memorable and my favorite thing to do.  When you win by a photo, you know if you had done anything differently, you probably would have run second.
 
Brenda Bracewell:  If you could get away on a vacation where would you go and why?

Tohill:  You’ll have to ask the wife and daughter. 
 

 

Thank you very much for your time.  It has been a true pleasure getting to know you and your wife, Robyn, this year.  We wish you two continued success in the future and we look forward to visiting you in El Paso this winter!