On Monday, Oct. 25, Winbak Farm was host to a select group of leaders from the state of Delaware.
Guests included Stephanie Hansen (Delaware Senator), Karen Hartley-Nagle (New Castle County Council President), Anna Shields (Legislative Aide to Senator Hanson), Linwood Jackson (Legislative Aide to President Hartley-Nagle), Judy Davis-Wilson (Delaware Standardbred Breeders Fund), Sal DiMario (Executive Director Delaware Standardbred Owners Association), Rebecca Goldsmith (Delaware’s Deputy Secretary of Finance), and Rebecca Batson Kidner, P.A. (Attorney at Law – Government Relations and Delaware Lobbyist).
“I believe it is important to show our leaders the importance of farms and the horse racing business for the economy and the trickle-down effect that it has on the local community,” said Joe Thomson, owner of Winbak Farm. “[Yesterday's] tour was a success and I believe each of the guests departed with new knowledge, even the ones who may have been here previously.”
The guests first were introduced to Winbak Farm of Delaware and a few of Delaware’s leading stallions including Badlands Hanover and Roddys Bags Again.
“Our stallions were a definite hit with the tour,” said Jack Burke of Winbak Farm. “Roddys Bags Again behaved amazingly well and allowed them to see a Standardbred stallion up close and they got their picture taken with him.”
The group then went on a tour of Winbak Farm of Maryland. The group was taught (or refreshed) by yearling manager James Ladwig on purchasing a yearling and had a chance to see the Delaware-Sired yearlings that Winbak Farm will be selling at the November 11-12 Harrisburg Mixed Sale.
“You never know where the next owner may come from and we want each new owner to have a successful beginning,” said Thomson. “Jimmy, our yearling manager, does a great job showing how to pick out a winner to the guests.”
The group also toured the Winbak Farm Racehorse Operation with the direction of Jeff Fout, head trainer, and were able to see a yearling line-driving for the very first time.
“I think the racehorse barns are always a popular stop because the racehorses love the attention,” said Burke. “The horses get fed carrots by guests, and it gives a one-on-one experience to people who may have never had that close of an experience with a racehorse before.”
The tour also included a luncheon and a Clydesdale-drawn tour at the Tybridge division of Winbak Farm.
“The Clydesdales are a great way to tour the farm,” said Thomson. “I would like to say thank you to each of the guests who came to the farm [yesterday] and that we hope to see them again soon.”
(With files from Winbak Farm)