Jeff Bloom has worn many hats in his nearly four-decade time in the racing industry. He exercised horses such as Sunday Silence for Charlie Whittingham, then rode as a jockey for nine years.
After working as the Vice President of Western Operations for West Point Thoroughbreds, Bloom (pictured) launched his own Bloom Racing Stable, which has owned the likes of Snapper Sinclair, Majestic City, and the great mare Midnight Bisou, now retired after a career in which she earned over $7 million.
Bloom also serves on the boards of the Thoroughbred Owners of California and the Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance.
Who do you think is the most important figure in world racing history?
I’m thinking Secretariat. I just think that he was such a universally recognized superpower of an athlete that there were crossover fans - maybe more than ever before in the history of our sport – as he introduced so many people to horseracing in such a big way. The impact that he had, the fascination that people had, the story around the horse, and the way he dominated the sport. To me he stands out as one of the most important figures in horseracing.
Which is your favorite venue and race?
My favorite venue is going to have to be Saratoga. For me personally, before I started riding races, I went to Saratoga, lived there, and worked horses leading up to my first start. I will forever have a special fondness for the character, the charm, and the history there. In addition to that, the historical significance of Saratoga, the town being all about horseracing, the many examples of champions that have been defeated there … I love the experience in the morning during workouts, which is different from what you get in the afternoon, but it’s all good. Every win at Saratoga is such an incredible achievement. When you’re standing in that storied grandstand it just bleeds history and tradition and I love all that.
As for my favorite race? I’m going to take the easy way out and say the Kentucky Derby. My early introduction to the sport was the Derby. No matter if you ask a trainer, an owner, or a jockey, they all want to win the Kentucky Derby.
What is your fondest memory in racing?
As a rider, my fondest memory of racing was riding in a nondescript race at Exhibition Park as a jockey, winning the race, and bringing the horse back into the winner’s circle with my mom and dad standing there looking so proud. I’ll never forget getting to experience that.
What do you see as the biggest challenge racing faces today?
Uniformity across the entire industry relating to rules, medication, and regulations. We need to have a more cohesive relationship with both racing jurisdictions and the various racetracks across the jurisdictions, so that there are proper procedures especially regarding medications policies and procedures.
If you could change one thing in racing, what would it be?
That ties into the last question for me, the implementation of what I just talked about. The execution of that. I’m trying to not sit idly by on the sidelines, because I am a stakeholder in the industry. It’s my passion and livelihood and what I care about. Hopefully my participation [as a board member on various industry groups] is able to derive value in making positive change. Things evolve and change is imperative, and our industry is looking at some necessary change. Hopefully I can participate in and add to that.