BY SARAH WELK BAYNUM
Gregg Gagliardi, a long-time PGA Class A golf professional, discovered a new competitive passion in horse racing—a love sparked by his father during childhood.
“I’ve always been fiercely competitive—it’s what drove me as a golf professional,” Gagliardi said. “When I could no longer compete at that level, I needed a new outlet. That’s when I turned to Thoroughbred racing. My passion for the sport began when I was six, during a trip to Aqueduct Racetrack in New York with my dad. I was captivated by the horses, their beauty, athleticism and heart. It was mesmerizing, even moving. Horse racing became more than a sport—it was a way for my dad and me to bond. He loved handicapping and that enthusiasm rubbed off on me. Now, it’s not just about the competition; it’s about honoring that shared love and the memories we created together.”
In 2010, as his father grew older and Gagliardi achieved financial stability, he proposed they embark on a shared venture into racehorse ownership—a nod to their cherished memories at the track.
“For the last five years of his life, my dad and I shared something truly special—we owned a small stable together,” Gagliardi said. “We found a trainer willing to partner with us and off we went. My dad was so proud. I can still picture him walking into Tampa Bay Downs, credentials around his neck, beaming with pride. He’d never had that kind of opportunity before—he worked as a clerk at GE his whole life. Seeing him experience that joy and sense of accomplishment was incredibly moving.”
Despite starting his horse racing ownership journey as a way to spend time with his father, they found success in their horse racing business.
“In the first three years, we had remarkable success—winning numerous races together,” Gagliardi said. “It was exhilarating and truly hooked us into horse racing. My dad never got over becoming a racehorse owner—it was something he never imagined, and he loved every minute. At one point, we managed to own six horses together, a testament to how well things were going. Sharing that journey with him was incredibly special.”
One special horse that Gagliardi said he had a unique bond with was Florida-bred Backstage Magic.
“We bought her as a yearling at the [2011 Ocala Breeders’ Sales October Yearling Sale], with Gary Jackson, also her trainer, as our partner. She had this incredibly gentle soul. From the very beginning, she just adored me. She was a big girl at 17 hands, but a softie, and there was something special about her. I could walk up to her stall while she was at the track, turn my back to her, and she’d come right up and rest her head on my chest. Just leaned in and stayed there while I’d pet her.”
Florida-bred Charlie Mops was another special horse who gave Gagliardi his first taste of success with a third-place finish in the $100,000 Millions Turf Preview at Gulfstream Park West in 2016.
“He ran third in a stakes race on the grass at Calder, and his style was unforgettable,” Gagliardi said. “Charlie was the kind of horse that hated to be passed. He’d break first every time, daring anyone to coming up beside him. He was a front-runner through and through, the kind that made you believe in grit and determination. He looked horses in the eye and fought them all the way. That horse had heart.”
Today, Gagliardi has a special horse in Violent Swing.
“He’s named partly for his sire, Violence, and partly for our partner and trainer, Mike Ferraro, whose golf swing is anything but subtle. When we saw this colt, we thought—‘Violent Swing’—that’s the name. He’s a striking horse, towering over 17 hands and coming into his own at 4-years-old. This past winter at Aqueduct, he picked up a win and then a close second in an allowance race, and we think he’s got plenty more in the tank. He’s well-bred, powerful, and we think he will be special.”
To continue growing his horse racing business, Gagliardi recently ventured into the breeding, partnering with lifelong horse person Terese Dear.
“She’s also part of our original ownership group back in 2013, and now we’re combining efforts,” Gagliardi said. “Terese has an incredible intuition about a horse’s spirit and heart. She has a broodmare, a yearling, and a 3-year-old she bred herself. Terese has a farm in Ocala, where she’s been handling the breeding.”
Despite his competitive nature and early success, racing is more than just winning for Gagliardi.
“It’s not just about the wins—it’s about creating something that lasts, something we can grow together from the ground up. My partners, grooms, jockeys and everyone involved are like a family. Every one of our horses brought something different to our journey—magic, heart, and hope for what’s still to come,” Gagliardi added.
Return to the April 29 issue of Wire to Wire
