Is Tony Done?

[Beard]

Are we witnessing the end of Alagna? He was not at Harrisburg all week. Not sure he bought any yearling stock here this year. The amount he spent on stock last season has to be close to, or outweighing his earnings this year to date of 2.2 million. His udrs is sitting at .249. Some of his race horses sold yesterday to new connections that may put the final nail in the coffin. Where did he go wrong? Or do you think I am blowing things out of proportion? I’m well aware of the ups and downs that come with this game, but he seems to be trending downward when a just few short years ago seemed like he was on top of the world.

[samstar]

Hook up with Micki Rae stables and that is one pretty difficult operation to deal with.  Myron is their mentor and it is really a shit show!

[AgentQ]

Tony is indeed alive and well and did attend both major sales this year and did purchase more than a few. Like those before him, his rise to prominence happened when he didn't have issues like buying and running a farm and all the nonsense outside just training horses. Has he made money for 90% of his investors, that's a big no. But who really cares if Myron and company lose their collective millions and Tony makes a decent living? Tony is good to his horses and staff and deserved the opportunity that was afforded him. Very few horsemen can go pick out value from the yearling sales year in and year out.

[hoosierboy]

Tony is indeed alive and well and did attend both major sales this year and did purchase more than a few. Like those before him, his rise to prominence happened when he didn't have issues like buying and running a farm and all the nonsense outside just training horses. Has he made money for 90% of his investors, that's a big no. But who really cares if Myron and company lose their collective millions and Tony makes a decent living? Tony is good to his horses and staff and deserved the opportunity that was afforded him. Very few horsemen can go pick out value from the yearling sales year in and year out.

Toby has a rough couple years for the money spent.  Plus his mom passed they were very close.  Tony will be fine he didn’t just wake up and forget how to train a horse.

Brian Brown is another great trainer that had similar down years, Brian didn’t forget how to train either. Very true owners are loyal through the down years. 

[pocketrocketwinner]

So it's the randomness of picking out good horses every year and personal grief and nothing to do with all the trouble he's been in pushing the envelope and getting popped and suspended over the past 5 years?

[Brown jug]

i recall one 30 day suspension in 2025
were there others ??

[hoosierboy]

So it's the randomness of picking out good horses every year and personal grief and nothing to do with all the trouble he's been in pushing the envelope and getting popped and suspended over the past 5 years?

How many suspensions has he had? 

[pocketrocketwinner]

Several positives going back to 2021
American history was one for sure

[yourmamasofat]

His barn hasn't made a profit in years. Guess owners are tired of losing money.

[Grandstand Handicapper]

Tony is not done. He won't be the force he once was and won't have the backing he once did. Like him or not, there's no denying that he is absolutely on a bad run. It's exacerbated by the fact that his clients are: getting older, downsizing, buying less (yes, with some of them because they have not done well in recent years), breeding more and not buying, and so on. Look at his clients. Some of you may know them. Look at his clients who are breeders, including Myron, who was never playing with all of his own money. It all comes down to.....he simply has not been producing results in recent years. His owners aren't making money, and neither is he. He certainly won't have the horsepower he once had, but he'll downsize, get rid of overhead, and will rebuild, albeit it on a smaller scale.

It's happening to other trainers as well. Not anywhere near to the same extent, but it's happening.

[Brown jug]

i think that is a fair assessment
i am sure even tony would agree he took on too much
too many horses, the farm etc

other than burke he had the most horses by far, and likely had the most 2 yr olds for a few years
long term it might be better for him to downsize, simplify, take some pressure of  and focus on the horses and be more hands on

[Cashout]

     One thing I can tell you for sure , the bulk of the owners are getting crushed but Myron’s not going for a penny.  He’s always got himself protected with side deals and kick backs. 

[Beard]

Tony is not done. He won't be the force he once was and won't have the backing he once did. Like him or not, there's no denying that he is absolutely on a bad run. It's exacerbated by the fact that his clients are: getting older, downsizing, buying less (yes, with some of them because they have not done well in recent years), breeding more and not buying, and so on. Look at his clients. Some of you may know them. Look at his clients who are breeders, including Myron, who was never playing with all of his own money. It all comes down to.....he simply has not been producing results in recent years. His owners aren't making money, and neither is he. He certainly won't have the horsepower he once had, but he'll downsize, get rid of overhead, and will rebuild, albeit it on a smaller scale.

It's happening to other trainers as well. Not anywhere near to the same extent, but it's happening.

Agree you summed it up well