Bob Feld

Just out of high school Feld began hot walking, then grooming horses for his brother Jude who was a trainer on the Southern California circuit. It was at this time that Feld decided he wanted to learn the horse business from the bottom rung up. His first foray into bloodstock came while looking for diamond-in-the-rough type claims while rubbing five horses a day in his brother's shed row.

Pewter Grey would become Feld's first major conquest, winning a grade III event after being haltered for a mere $25,000 by his brother/trainer.

Eventually Feld learned the fine art of racing partnerships from one of the best in the business and he also launched a racing magazine which became the official publication of the California Thoroughbred Trainers organization.

While serving at the magazine's helm, Feld was maintaining a hands-on horseman position, assisting longtime friend and trainer Ron Ellis with his off-string of runners at Hollywood Park in mornings before reporting to the magazine's offices in the afternoon. In his care at the time was future grade I winner Toga Toga Toga among other stakes horses.

It was 1998 when an untested and untried, yet very speedy horse, would change Feld's life forever. Shortly after the talented Reraise broke his maiden, Feld was holding the reins and assembling the partnership deal that would get the gelding bought and then later sent to the Breeders' Cup Sprint (gr. I). Though Feld loved the runner's form and speed figures, he never anticipated seeing the gelded son of Danzatore win the Breeders' Cup Sprint under the twin spires of Churchill Downs.

Reraise would be the first Breeders' Cup winner and Champion that Feld was associated with. It was about this time that John and Jerry Amerman, who had been longtime investors in partnerships, decided that they'd like to try the racing game on their own.

Other prominent owners such as B. Wayne Hughes would also tap into Feld's knowledge and he became part of the team, along with Ron Ellis and Seth Semkin, that purchased Breeders' Cup Juvenile winner Action this Day (Feld's third Breeders' Cup winner and second Champion), Illinois Derby winner Greely's Galaxy, Del Mar Futurity winner Siphonizer and Atswhatimtalknbout, who would come within two lengths shy of winning the 2003 Kentucky Derby.

Other notable names Feld can add to his resume include Keeneland purchases Balance, multiple grade I winner in addition to grade III winner, grade I-placed Chattahoochee War and the stakes-winning daughter of Seattle Slew named Simply Because. Other private purchases include grade III winner Fencelineneighbor. In addition to his various duties at the sales, Feld has also partnered with several family members in Bongo Racing, an all-purpose racing thoroughbred venture that features the selling and management of partnerships, stallions and pinhooking.

Feld is the first person to admit that, sometimes, his approach to selecting potential racehorses can be somewhat unorthodoxed. In an industry where pedigree and conformation rule and where seven-figures spent on the hope of making it to the big time rarely garner a second thought, Feld prefers to use his instinct nearly as much as his knowledge to find the right horses at the right prices.

Despite all his successes and everything he has to look forward to in the racing game, Feld is without a doubt most proud of his role as a father to his son Sean and daughter Madalyn. As his daughter continues to build her appreciation for the racing game, his son has more than signaled his intention to follow in his father's footsteps.