Bloodstock agent Tom McGreevy, known for his success in selecting sale horses for Rick Porter’s Fox Hill Farm, now will work exclusively for Texas horseman Mike Stinson after being released from his contract by Porter several months ago.
Porter, who is battling health issues, and McGreevy formed one of the best partnerships since Abbott and Costello, with McGreevy picking out runners such as champion and Horse of the Year Havre de Grace, grade 1 winners Round Pond and Joyful Victory, and graded stakes winners Old Fashioned, Winslow Homer , and Zonk for Porter. The current stable star is multiple champion Songbird, who will make her 4-year-old debut in the June 10 Ogden Phipps Stakes (G1) at Belmont Park and was selected for Porter by McGreevy.
Stinson has raced successfully around New Mexico. He campaigned multiple stakes winners such as Fullofenergy, Iplaytricks, Attitude E Racer, Proceed, and Worthington. He has also been active in Bourbon Lane partnership groups.
Stinson bought a half-interest in New Mexico’s champion mare Peppers Pride from her owner/breeder Joe Allen following her race career and has her 2-year-old and 3-year-old in training. Stinson also took a position in California Chrome when Taylor Made Farm bought into the classic winner and champion.
"I've followed Tom's career for a while and it is pretty remarkable," Stinson said. "I've been a big fan, and I feel very privileged to be able to partner with him. This deal represents a pretty significant pivot for me. I'll de-emphasize my program in New Mexico and my focus will be almost exclusively on my purchases that Tom selects."
Stinson said he hopes to buy around 10 yearlings with a couple of 2-year-olds sprinkled in at sales this year, and that McGreevy would begin the yearling buying process at Fasig-Tipton Kentucky in July and then continue at Saratoga and Keeneland.
McGreevy had worked with Porter since 1999.
"After Rick called and said he wanted to end the association, several major farms offered me jobs," McGreevy said. "But I don't want to be part of an entourage. I want to make my own calls and my own mistakes, so I'm going to be doing about the same thing I did with Rick. I'm sorry it ended with him, but I'm ready to turn the page.
"Rick and I never had any issues. We trusted each other and got the job done and there was never anything to worry about. He let me do my job. You have to be willing to accept that most of them don't turn out. I hope Rick lives another 20 years and is successful. We had a great run."
"I'm just an old dude who loves the horse business, and I'm thrilled with this opportunity," Stinson said. "Tom is as fine a human being as you'll meet, and I think he also happens to be the finest judge of horseflesh on the planet, so that's a nice combination to partner with."
