One of Salesman’s best qualities is his temperament. In Richard Mandella’s racing barn, Salesman was always calm, cool and collected. He was never one to be temperamental or overly sensitive and, even when something new may have surprised him, he was reasonable about it all. Salesman was easy for his grooms which added to his popularity in the barn. He had no shortage of fans, especially if they were packing peppermints!

Kristina Hobbs photo

Horsemen talk about horses who are well-adjusted, “act broke” the day you get them and adapt well to a changing environment. Salesman is one of those horses. He accepts new places, new things quite well. He is the definition of “been there, done that.”

What made Salesman this way? Genetics? Early training? A wide variety of experiences in different places throughout his life? All of them. Careful breeding, wonderful care in his first year of life, excellent backing with his trainer in France and traveling between the UK, France and America. This boy has traveled! 

Salesman’s mother was bred in England at Darley’s Dalham Stud, he was born in Ireland at Coolmore Stud and then shipped to France for his race training. Racing at multiple tracks, being handled by multiple people and traveling to different venues all add to Salesman’s “Mr. Laid Back” personality. 

When Gary and Audra Mandella came on as Salesman’s new owners, Audra had just 96 hours to find him a trainer. As Gary says, “One of the most important things to do when these racehorses retire is to get them away from the tracks as quickly as possible. The track can be a stressful place and we want them to be happy and relaxed in their next home.” Audra remembered meeting a pair of sisters (over 20 years ago!) who owned October Hill Farm in Texas, a serious jumper barn. Audra thought maybe they could train Salesman into his next career. It was a Sunday and, by chance, the barn manager answered Audra’s call. The barn manager explained October Hill Farm did not work with OTTBs and then kindly directed her to a friend of mine, Abbie Driscoll, who then referred Audra to me.

The funniest part of Salesman’s journey at that point? One more adventure: He was loaded on a van at Del Mar, Calif., and was dropped off at a truck stop in Texas, then went straight to a cutting horse ranch to layover for a few days! He has seen it all!

Audra Mandella Reflects:

Salesman has also become an advocate for the OTTBs in our barn when my husband’s cattle friends come over. He won’t ever admit it, but I think my husband is even quite impressed with him. Most people in the cattle industry obviously lean towards Quarter horses and tend to have a negative image towards Thoroughbreds. Salesman is just an impressive guy with an impressive temperament that makes them all question their own thoughts on Thoroughbreds.

A week ago with my horse I normally use to work the cattle out on rest, I had to pull Salesman in to help sort cattle for pictures and he was just perfect: he even has a bit of cow instinct in him and again impressed everyone who watched him quietly walk into a herd and push a single animal out. Clearly debunking the “crazy Thoroughbred” stigma. And making me wonder if I should have aimed him for the ranch work! Haha! I’m kidding but maybe next year, when I have time to learn more about it with a new horse!

Two weeks ago “Mr. Level-Headed” stepped up yet again at Texas Rose to win his jumper class! Salesman stepped out a fully educated horse. I have struggled a bit with him hesitating off the ground, in new places, though he always says yes, which I attribute to his desire to be a very careful jumper. This is why we have kept things a bit smaller and have been careful to not go too fast developing him. I think it is extremely easy to overface (intimidate) a young horse and it is much easier to stay slow and steady then to have to take a step back and repair the damage that can be done by overfacing them.

This show was different for him and everyone could see it!  Salesman was brave, bold and willing. He laid down a double clear to go into the jump off, and for the first time I sent him forward to go against the clock (cautiously of course) he quite enjoyed it and jumped even better out of a big forward step. I am so very excited for what is to come with this big guy in our final preparation for the Makeover.

Salesman’s agenda for this month is quite simple: fun, relaxing work. With a few days of more focused work on cleaning up a few things, but the rest of the week will be trot sets up and down hills, helping push cattle around, and a lot of days in the rope halter and bridleless. Really, the goal is just allowing his body and mind a chance to refresh and not be pushed in the middle of the worst part of Texas summer. He will then head to a weeklong show in September to put the final touches on for the Makeover, solidify exactly what he will need in warm up. And make any tweaks needed in the show ring.  All the while I will turn some of my focus on my other two Makeover horses who have some catching up to do! I couldn’t have three more different horses for the Makeover this year and I’m excited to showcase just how versatile they all are and adaptable.–Audra Mandella

The Jockey Club supports many aftercare initiatives including the Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance, the only accrediting body in aftercare, and Thoroughbred Incentive Program (T.I.P.), which encourages the retraining of Thoroughbreds into other disciplines upon completion of careers. View all of the initiatives supported by The Jockey Club.