Nearly three decades ago, Arlene Phillips predicted she wouldn’t leave horse racing any time soon.

“I can’t stop,” said Phillips in 1980 of her involvement in horse racing. “I’ll keep it up until I get too old to go.”

At age 83 and much too young to hang it up, Phillips continues to breed, own, and train Thoroughbreds despite her advanced age. Her homebred Little Loca, a 5-year-old mare by Coarsegold Creek, dominated in her debut, posting a 51⁄4-length victory Jan. 7 at Turf Paradise.

She admits training tires her more than it did in the past—but that doesn’t prevent her from getting her work done.

“I saddle them, have them galloped, I put them on the walker, take them back, clean the stalls, and clean their feet,” said Phillips. “And give them a lot of lovin’.

Phillips was born in 1924 in Las Vegas, N.M., where she grew up on her family’s ranch.

“I always had a horse to ride, to look after the cattle and the sheep, but I didn’t know anything about racing,” said Phillips.

She developed an interest in racing after attending Rillito Park in Tucson,Ariz., during the 1950s.

“I thought it was pretty neat,” said Phillips of her trip to Rillito. “I was asking millions of questions because I knewnothing.”

Phillips and her husband, Virgil, a former jockey and cousin to renowned Quarter Horse trainer Blane Schvaneveldt, soon began to buy and race their own horses. The couple’s horses competed at Rillito, Prescott Downs in Prescott, Ariz., Turf Paradise, and the short-lived Thunderbird Downs in Las Vegas, Nev.
They eventually began to breed their own horses, starting with Around the Blanket in 1969, who would go on to win the Mile High Handicap at Prescott and a division of the Arizona Breeders’ Futurity at Turf Paradise.

Phillips became the second female trainer to win a training title at a recognized track when she topped the standings at Prescott Downs in 1974, followed by additional titles in 1977 and 1978.

Virgil died in 1984, but the operation remains a family affair. Arlene works with the horses at the track while her son, Patrick, manages their farm near Roswell, N.M.

In 2002, Phillips won the richest race of her career when Nikki’s Angel, a daughter of Butler’s Revenge, captured the $30,000 Ann Owens Distaff Handicap at Turf Paradise. Nikki’s Angel’s dam, Early Wedding,
also produced winners No Wedding, Butler’s Bride, and Aburn Angel. No Wedding, now a broodmare, is the dam of Little Loca.

As for her long-term goals, Phillips has the same intentions as she did in 1980.

“I like the horses a lot,” said Phillips.“I guess I like them too much. I want to keep them as long as I can—until I can’t get to the track.”

Phillips is searching for the best spot for Little Loca’s second start, most likely a $16,000 or higher claiming race or an entry-level allowance event. Wherever Little Loca races next, Phillips will have the mare’s best interests in mind.

“I think the best thing is to get to know your horses and really like them—then they get to really liking you,” said Phillips. “They want to run when they’re treated right and taken care of.”

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