Speaker Series: H. James (Jim) Bond

Thoroughbred racehorse trainer, H. James (Jim) Bond, joined the Joe Hirsch Speaker Series to talk with Race Track Industry Program students about his career, thoughts on the state of the industry, and more. Bond is a five-time leading trainer on the New York racing circuit and has trained many Grade 1 winning racehorses throughout his career.

He shared with students the scope and variety of his operation. Bond owns and operates his own farm just outside of Saratoga Springs, New York, where he is based. His two sons primarily run his string of horses currently in training at the active New York Racing Association racetracks, with his supervision coming from upstate. On the farm, Bond has a variety of horses, from in-foal mares to racehorses laying up, and yearlings prepping for future racing careers.

He relayed to students his secrets to success when working with equine athletes, such as allowing them to know when they are ready and knowing where to place them in races, in order for them to stay confident. Additionally, Bond shared professional advice with attendees, emphasizing that training is a lot of work, that good owners are a must, and that with every bit of bad news a good trainer will have to be able to move on quickly.

Bond also spoke on the active state of the industry. He specifically shared how much it has changed since he first began training, mainly on matters related to medication and how often horses are able to race. He also was very complimentary of his fellow horsemen, saying how much he respects what they have done in their careers and how they manage their horses.