Whereas John C. (Jack) Oxley has spent his life round horses and a long time as a distinguished proprietor/breeder in Thoroughbred racing, he mentioned receiving the Thoroughbred Membership of America’s Honor Visitor recognition felt like he had lastly arrived.
Regardless of his many accomplishments within the sport, together with successful the 2001 Kentucky Derby (G1) with Monarchos;Â campaigning a number of grade 1 winner, 1999 Breeders’ Cup Distaff (G1) winner, and champion older mare Stunning Pleasure, and successful a Kentucky Oaks (G1) with Gal in a Ruckus, Oxley mentioned he by no means felt like he had fairly really earned the title ‘horseman,’ a time period he clearly reserves for a revered few.
“It’s only tonight in receiving this honor from the Thoroughbred Membership of America that I lastly really feel entitled to hitch that choose crew who’re referred to as ‘horsemen,'” Oxley mentioned in accepting the popularity earlier than membership members Nov. 15 within the Keeneland clubhouse. “It has been a visit; it has been a route. It has been years. I am starting to assume I am there.”
In fact many would argue that Oxley had earned that title many occasions over in a life that noticed his father put him on a horse simply a few months after his 1937 beginning in Tulsa, Okla., and a childhood during which he would turn into captivated by radio broadcasts of the Kentucky Derby after which ultimately attending the occasion.
Moreover following in his father John T. Oxley’s footsteps within the oil trade, he additionally adopted his ardour for polo. After many on-field successes, John C. Oxley ultimately would function president of the US Polo Affiliation, as its chairman from 1988-91, and be inducted into the Museum of Polo Corridor of Fame.Join BloodHorse Day by day
He would enter the world of Thoroughbred racing in 1974 and famous that his fortunes would skyrocket after his 1994 marriage to Debby. The couple continues to be busy making racing headlines as Debby Oxley is the breeder of Breeders’ Cup Basic (G1) winner Sierra Leone and the breeder of the dam of Kentucky Derby-placed Without end Younger , who completed third within the Basic.
“A very powerful individual in my life and my racing profession has been my spouse, Debby,” Oxley mentioned. “Debby has been the love of my life. We married in 1994. Earlier than that point, my 20-year racing profession was one in every of combined outcomes. I gained a couple of races; however 20 years although?
“Nevertheless, with the Kentucky lady now becoming a member of me, racing outcomes had been about to enhance. Our love and good chemistry collectively resulted in our successful 10 grade 1 races over the primary eight years of our marriage.”
In 1995 Ontario-bred Gal in a Ruckus would pull off a 34-1 shocker in posting a front-end rating within the Kentucky Oaks beneath Herb McCauley. Oxley was simply getting began.
In 1997 2-year-old Stunning Pleasure would win the Matron Stakes (G1), the primary of her six grade 1 victories that would come with the 1999 Breeders’ Cup Distaff at Gulfstream Park beneath Jorge Chavez. Two years after that race, Oxley would win the Kentucky Derby with Monarchos, who rallied from thirteenth beneath Chavez to turn into the second Derby winner to finish the race in beneath two minutes (1:59.97).
At Friday’s TCA dinner, Oxley recalled a couple of anxious moments after Monarchos reached the end line 4 3/4 lengths forward of runner-up Invisible Ink, campaigned by Peachtree Steady.
“There was a pause of concern that day as Debby and I, with household and associates, had been about to cross the racetrack to hitch the victory procession, when the objection lights started to blink. Horror, horrible, scary,” Oxley mentioned. “Monarchos had crossed over a lane to be in entrance of invisible Ink. It was little recognized then that I used to be the biggest proprietor within the Invisible Ink syndicate. I didn’t want to protest my win within the Kentucky Derby!
“Minutes handed as my voice of protest fell on deaf ears. Nevertheless, smiles quickly returned to our group as Monarchos was discovered to be clear and his win confirmed. A really joyful night ensued for all of us with this win of the Kentucky Derby.”
Photograph: Churchill Downs / Kinetic Corp.Monarchos wins the 2001 Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs
In recalling these successes on the monitor, Oxley thanked the late coach John Ward Jr., and his spouse and assistant coach Donna. After Ward’s passing at age 75 in 2021, coach Mark Casse took over the Ward-trained Oxley runners. Oxley famous that Mark’s son and former assistant Norm (now out on his personal), performed an essential function creating Oxley’s horses.Â
Clearly, Oxley seen all of those women and men worthy of the title ‘horseman.’ Oxley famous that John Ward advisable the acquisition of Fawn Leap Farm close to Halfway, Ky.
“His optimistic advice led to our buy and now 25 years of happiness within the Bluegrass for Debby and myself,” Oxley mentioned.
Basic Empire , educated by Mark Casse, would win the 2016 Breeders’ Futurity (G1) at Keeneland and the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile (G1) at Santa Anita Park on his option to champion 2-year-old male honors. Oxley has raced different extremely notable stakes winners equivalent to Sky Mesa  (additionally a profitable sire), Airoforce  , Uncaptured, Spring within the Air, Snow Dance, Pyramid Peak, Jambalaya Jazz, Dixie Strike, Fairly Beautiful , Noble Hen , Skyway, Flameaway  , Dynamic Sky , Beethoven, Dancinginherdreams, Robust Contender, La Coronel, and Dream Dancing.Â
In 2012 Oxley’s Uncaptured was Canadian Horse of the Yr and champion 2-year-old male, and Spring within the Air was the Canada’s champion 2-year-old filly. In 2017 Oxley gained his eighth graded stakes at Keeneland with La Coronel and was introduced the Keeneland Milestone Tray. Fairly Beautiful was named Europe’s 2020 champion 2-year-old filly (Cartier Award).
The Thoroughbred Membership Testimonial Dinner was inaugurated in 1932, the yr the Membership was based, to acknowledge distinguished contributions of management in addition to success within the Thoroughbred trade. Whereas Friday night offered Oxley a chance to recall the highest races and prime horses, he famous his love of racing goes properly past these accomplishments.
“I really like the Thoroughbred. I am addicted,” Oxley mentioned. “I really like going to the winner’s circle. I’ll proceed to hunt the thrill and exhilaration of that circle, and in addition joyful days with Debby at Fawn Leap Farm planning a mating that simply may produce a future champion.”
