Who’s your Encourager? Part 2

As I moved from the south, to the tracks in the northeast I followed Melvins advice. In 1979 I went to work for a trainer with a large stable, who in 1982 became the second Winningest trainer in the world his name, Burton K. Sipp. Just 11 years after meeting Melvin James and 8 years after going to work for Burton, I was now winning my first training title as a leading trainer at the tracks that Burt once dominated and led.

Burt, having an astute eye for people and horse flesh spotted the eagerness and enthusiasm that I showed and being a leader and knowing his best bet for success was in duplicating himself, he was always on the search for talent human or equine.

My first opportunity came with him in the fall of 79 after about 6 months in his employment we were stabled at Keystone Racetrack, now Philadelphia Park. I was working late as I was the groom of a horse that had run in the last race. Burt came to the stall where I was working and I’ll never forget what he said. “Boy it looks like you have some sense, you wanna learn how to train horses” I eagerly replied that I did. “I’ll teach you, but if I tell you to go sit on that roof till the cows come home, you do it and I’ll teach you.” That was the highest point of my life. I just got my first of many hard earned breaks that would soon follow. Burt was true to his word, he taught and I learnt. I was grateful that he never did tell me to go sit on the roof.
Stay Tuned for Part 3