Happy Horses Win

     Mid-morning finds thoroughbred trainer Rachel Halden tending to her horses at Payson Park Thoroughbred Training Center near Indiantown, Florida. Payson Park has been her winter home for several years, both as an assistant to some of the sport's top trainers as well as one earlier stint on her own. Payson Park offers Rachel the right balance of a top-notched training facility and a peaceful atmosphere that allows her to get her horses in the right frame-of-mind to compete at the highest level of racing each year.

     Rachel was born in Yorkshire, England. She had been around horses at an early age, but didn't get involved with thoroughbreds until age thirteen. Through the years her talent with these special animals was noticed and she quickly rose up through the ranks as a very special trainer. She worked for Canadian Hall-of-Famer Roger Attfield for some ten years before striking out on her own for the next two. "It was quite satisfying having my name on the door," says Halden. She was then asked to assist Hall-of-Fame inductee Bill Mott for a season. This might sound like a lot of pressure for such a young trainer, but Rachel's calm demeanor helps her stay focused. She has now struck out on her own again and is happy that her name is once again "on the door."

     Based at the popular Ontario race track Woodbine during the season, Rachel has worked with many top equines, including noteworthy Perfect Soul, Nobel Stella, Rahy's Attorney, Drosselmeyer, and Sweetest Thing to name a few. Her winning record speaks for itself as Halden's charges finish in the money in an astonishing one-third of their starts. As of this writing her record includes 18 wins, 14 places and 13 shows in 120 starts. "I have been fortunate to work for some top trainers'" she says. "I've kept my eyes open and learned quite a lot."

     Asked what her favorite part of Payson Park's facility Rachel didn't hesitate to answer. "The turn-out paddocks are wonderful to have. Other facilities don't have them. The horses can be turned out in the morning. I love watching them just being horses. It's soothing for both of us. Also, the weather is glorious. That's mainly why we come here for winter training. The track is deep. It's fair and honest. Having been here for so many years I know what I can ask of a horse here."

     Will she continue to select Payson Park in South Florida as her winter home? "Oh yes. The facility has worked well for my horses in the past and am sure it will continue in the future. I also have a lot of friends here that I don't see during the season. I look forward to seeing them when I arrive. There are a lot of top-notched programs at Payson. That says a lot about this place. I really do enjoy it here."

     Rachel Halden fits right in here at Payson Park. She is kind, confident and knows the importance of a tranquil environment to keep her horses fit and sound. We are happy to have her as a winter resident and look forward to watching her and Chiefswood Stables during the upcoming season.

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The annual Breeders' Cup just completed Saturday at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky. This is the World Championships of thoroughbred horse racing. There are 15 different races over two days finishing with the Breeders' Cup Classic with a $5,000,000 purse.
Payson Park trainers took nine of their Payson Park trained horses to the Breeders' Cup and came home with seven paychecks totaling $13,500,00, and recording 78% of its entrants in the money. The onslaught was led by Hall of Fame trainer, Bill Mott, whose Royal Delta won the $2,000,000 Ladies' Classic on Friday followed by Drosselmeyers' stirring win in the $5,000,000 Breeders' Cup Classic in Saturday's finale.
Canadian Hall of Famer, Roger Attfield's, Perfect Shirl, won the $2,000,000 Filly and Mare Turf Championship on Friday.
Bill Mott also scored big with Birdrun's second place showing in the $500,000 Marathon, and Christophe Clement's Gio Ponti finished with a fourth in the $2,000,000 Breeders' Cup Mile.
Gail Cox's, Hard Not to Like, finished fifth in the $1,000,000 Juvenile Fillies Turf and Roger Attfield's fellow Canadian trainer, Ian Black, placed second in the $1,000,000 Juvenile Turf with Excaper.
Payson Park's motto is "Happy Horses Win". These outstanding finishes have made these horses, their trainers, and their owners very happy indeed!
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34 years in the business has taught us that happy horses make winnning horses. Our 700-acre facility in sunny South Florida is designed to offer a stress-free environment for horses and trainers alike. Our "campers" are more relaxed and able to keep their minds on their training. The unspoiled landscape is full of hacking trails that the horses love to explore. Come see why top trainers return here year after year. Call for a tour today. You'll like what we have to offer and your campers will too!