Here today with Team 7 Illusions at his base farm in sunny RivCA. JR it’s great to meet with you and I appreciate you taking the time out to interview with the SRF.

Please remember this is a *stable interview not a *horse profile on Cherokee Sunset 🙂

I was checking your vital stats –  6 HRP awards, 21 Meet titles. Over 26,000 races and you have been here since 2004! One of the oldest veterans on the track.

It’s been hard to get to know you a bit more than others,  so I thought this a great opportunity.

Q. What’s is your connection to race horses in rl / if any?

A. My Dad owned racehorses, I was around the track and backside a-lot as a kid. I also liked to bet on horses a-lot as a teenager.


Q. So you have been here long time as mentioned.  Have  you seen many changes within the game? If so what would be the biggest!

A. The game is a-lot more controlled now. Also I would say a lot less random. Money is more powerful now.


Q. So who is your Favorite race horse of all time please?

A. It has to be Ruffian or Whirlaway!


Q. I am going to have to take your first answer 🙂 Ruffian it is. Love to know in your opinion, who do u rate as top 3 breeders all time within our game for the record?

A. Nightmare, Yahudi, and me… that order.

Q. Well at least you didn’t do a Raj an out yourself first so I will allow that :).  Is there a stable you look up to in the game and if so who and why please JR?

A. Estero. Humble, chill, you can joke with him. Easy and direct in sales. A lot of  the better stables wont sell me anything that I want, but are quick to send offers to me. Hes had a ridiculous amount of success with limited resources.

Q. Agreed, he seems like a good guy.  Please don’t take offense to this question. Several times I can remember you saying you are selling and leaving. How come you are still here :)?

A. The plan was to sell and walk out. Cherokee Sunset is producing at 2x the number of any sire in history here and I’m going to reap every possible benefit as long as it lasts. I do need a break.

Q. Is there a particular aspect of the game that needs improving in your mind/ if any?

A. I  would like to see a home base system that keeps people in their area of the map. It’s too easy for people to have 1000 active and ship them unrealistically all over the country. I would also like to see speed die or hold randomly from day to day like RL.

Q. When you see MB drawn in a race do you groan?

A. Only when he has 3 entries 🙂

Q. Can you name a up and coming stable that has not been here so long that is one to watch out for?

A. New stable, I would say Childs Play. He has spent money in all the right areas.

Q. What’s your goal this season JR?

A. I’d like to just keep hammering along with Cherokee Sunset, He will be the number #1 sire very soon. I also want to find another fresh bloodline. All the others seem very weak right now.

Q. You must have had a few but narrowing it right down! What was your best HRP moment of all time?

A. 2006 BC Mile with Soundtrack. Closed 10+ lengths in the stretch

Q. So I respect  your breeding opinions. Can you name a newer Sires in game not owned by you that look promising?

A. I think Local Hero will be your next big sire. There will be a-lot if  decent ones, but he’s the best of them.

Q. What is your best tip for new trainers please? Warmly welcomed.

A. New trainers should play the claiming game and mine the auctions for decent 3yos and up. Easy value and you can see what others are doing.

Q. That’s a good tip, thank you. So onto the Triple Crown at HRP. TC load of mumbo jumbo? Or can it be done within next couple of years here at HRP?

A. Our horses are too close for the TC to happen.

Q. Forums…. Sometimes I know you get into politics and drawn into *discussions with other players. Do you regret falling out with some stables over non horsey related issues?

A. Forums. No regrets. I was part of the push to get politics removed.  An interesting theory I heard is that Trump stopped our first TC winner.  Josh came out of hiding when politics was removed and after a few solid moves,  bought Beach Dandy. MB was supposedly the under bidder and would have won the TC with him. Cool theory.

Q. Your stats and ability are unquestionable. You stand at the top of the game brushing shoulders daily with the greats battling it out. If a new trainer reading this has a question can they reach out to you directly please?

A. My site mail is always open. With my work, my availability is random, but I’ll at least try to help.

Q. Thank you JR. *New trainers these bigger stables that offer to help, reach out! OK  Bloodlines…. How close to RL do you think HRP mapped out horses and ability?

A. HRP got the breeding side a-lot closer to RL than they did the racing side, and the racing side is fairly close.

Q.  A stable I look up to admire racing wise is Dan from MB stables. Can MB be stopped? If any one stands chance would it be Smokey?!

A. Mb won’t be stopped until someone invest the same amount of working time that he does. Some guys are on the game as many hours as him, but they can’t match his work. Smokey has a better breeding core, but Mb outspends everyone 5 to 1 replenishing his stable every year. Claimers, auction, private sales, etc etc. He is  always on the ball.

Q How much for Cherooke given age then? Iknow you are dying for me to talk about him 🙂

A. Cherokee has or will own every sire record by the end of the year, and he is statistically still improving. His current output is more than any 2 sires.

Q.I admire your optimism though I am still none the wiser how much you would sell for dollar wise?Can you answer this one then.  How many active and retired do u have ?

A.      Active Horses: 300 Retired Horses: 187

Q. I am surprised, I thought you would have had lot more retired ones. 300 to me seems a lot of active being a smaller stable. Again I am curious! How long does it take you to train?

A.  If  I’m in a hurry, I can train everything in 20 minutes. I’ve been here a while, so I can breeze through it quickly If i need to.

Q. I know you said it can’t be done but if you did win the TC  what would you do with the money?

A. If I won TC, I’d pay up 2 years of private school for my oldest spawn. 

Q. Very sensible,  like all the other stable I ask this question to. I can’t wait for some one to say go to Vegas and party for a change :). OK Lastly before I go. So JR, you seem very direct and to the point. How about the SRF, are you a fan and what is your thoughts on us ?

A.  I like the SRF, it’s better than it was a few years ago…. I think HRP should utilize it more with social media to bring in more stables. I think more opinionated pieces and controversial writing would suit everyone better. Support definitely let us get away with more than they once did.

That is good to hear, and thank you for feedback and cooperation today. I would like to wish you continued success on the track this season and I look forward to catching up again sometime later this year.

Pleased to say I am off next to go and visit Dom from D J C Racing Stables. A gentleman on and off the track, this should make for a good interview.

Stay tuned!

Kevo / El Primero Rodeo

Categories: FEATURED STORIES, SRF Interviews