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BY SARAH WELK BAYNUM

Relatively new to owning racehorses, Marc Asher first discovered his passion for the sport through his father.

“I think it started in childhood. I used to go with my father to the races, mostly on Sundays, and probably even more often than that,” Asher said. “That’s where I really developed a passion for the sport. My father also owned a racehorse, so I guess the idea of owning one myself just naturally grew from there.”

When Asher set out to begin his journey as a racehorse owner, he got his feet wet by joining syndicates.

“I started out in partnerships and small groups, just kind of experimenting. Back then, I may have owned a quarter of a horse. There were some strikeouts early on. One of the first horses ended up in a claiming race and was gone not long after. But I stuck with it. I joined a few other partnerships, including one local to me at the time, and became involved with some of their horses.”

It’s only been recently that Asher has had the chance to connect more deeply with some of the horses he co-owns.

“I’m still really in the early stages of racehorse ownership. In the beginning, most of the horses I was partnered with didn’t stick around long because they were claiming horses. So I didn’t get the chance to spend much time with them or get to know them,” Asher said. “Now, it’s different. Most of the horses we have were purchased as yearlings and I’ve been able to follow them closely through their training over the past couple of years. We’re finally getting close to seeing some of them make it to the races, which is exciting.”

Asher has developed a deeper interest while learning more about the breeding and early training of Thoroughbred during his visits to local farms.

“The horses I have in training this winter were in Ocala, so I made a few trips there to visit. I’ve also been to Lexington, [Ky] twice now to see different farms, and honestly, visiting the horses on the farm is my favorite part of racehorse ownership. There’s just something more intriguing about being on the farm. You really get to observe them in a quieter environment and see their personalities develop. Things move quickly. You see how fast they grow and mature. Being part of that journey makes you feel connected to the horse, even before they make it to the races.

“We’ve got some promising [unraced 2-year-olds] coming up, like Silver Talisman, who has a lot of talent, as well as Kiss the Ring,” Asher said.

“I visited Kiss the Ring a lot and it’s been fascinating to watch his progression. He arrived at the farm around last July. Kiss the Ring, in particular, has a great temperament. He’s really intelligent and picks things up easily. He’s super chill and relaxed. He’s always eating, which I joke about all the time. He breaks the stereotype that Thoroughbreds are all hot-blooded or high-strung.

“Most of the ones I’ve been around, especially at the farm, are calm and easy to be around,” Asher continued. “Of course, there was a Monday I visited when they were all a little wild because Sunday was their day off—you could tell they were just ready to get out and run. But that’s part of the ownership learning experience, and something you don’t really get to see when you’re just at the racetrack. The farm visits give you a fuller picture of the horse as an individual.”

While it is race day environment and excitement that most enjoy, Asher finds he’s more drawn to everything that happens behind the scenes in horse racing.

“Even just watching the grooms and trainers at work is so interesting to me. It’s the behind-the-scenes part of the process that really excites me—the development and the day-to-day care. Honestly, the races themselves can be a little stressful, especially when you’re just starting out.”

Looking ahead, Asher says his long-term goal is to become more involved with his horses in Florida. 

“I feel like racing is very much a community—it’s never just about one person. That’s part of what appeals to me. I’d love to be doing more here in Florida, working with a trainer and being part of that community.

“I’m originally from Michigan, but I moved here about four or five years ago and it feels like a second home. The transition was an easy one, and Florida has quickly become a place where I enjoy both living and being actively involved in the racing scene.”

“I’ve spent time in Ocala and worked with some trainers, but I haven’t fully reached the level I’d like to yet. In the long term, my goal is to have more racehorses based in Florida and to be more involved, such as attending the track in the mornings to watch them train. I also enjoy being part of partnerships. As someone who’s still relatively new to the sport, they’ve been a great way to learn. Eventually, I’d love to combine that learning with something more entrepreneurial in Florida racing. I think my best moments as a racehorse owner are still yet to come.”

Return to the June 24 issue of Wire to Wire