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Adam Wade Billings

Years as an Owner: 1
Horses Owned (Current): 2
Horses Owned (Lifetime): 2
Profession: Funeral Director (former football coach)
Email: adamwbillings@gmail.com
Testimony
Best Experience as an Owner:
spending time with my horses
What I like about Thoroughbred Racing:
The connections made with the horses and the people.
How I Became a Thoroughbred Owner:
Got brave, and finally followed a dream
Best Advice:
Life is about the things you treasure and who/what you are willing to sacrifice for, I wish I would have spent all my time focusing on those people/things and not wasting time/energy/resources on wasteful things.
Owner Bio

Louisville native - grad of St. Xavier High School

Former Head Football coach at North Bullitt High School

Currently working with the family business at Maraman Billings Funeral Home

Growing up in Louisville, and spending alot of time with my grandfather, I spent many mornings/afternoons at Churchill, but even more so the nights at the old Louisville Downs.  My grandfather was a pretty serious golfer in his day, and seemed to always have a "friend" or know someone no matter where we went.  So I developed a love for racing at an early age.  However, my family, in and over itself, were not big horse people, and I knew I was going to need to establish some sort of background if i was ever going to get into racing myself.  So in the spring of my junior year at Maryville College, I joined the equestrian team.  I spent two years with the team.  Just learning and soaking up all the information I could about caring for horses and riding. I played football, and earned a math degree, but when I wasn't practice or studying, I was at the barn.  

I read the book "Backyard Racehorse," I ordered my Keeneland sales catalogs, I even bought and broke a yearling quarter horse just to see if I could do it.  But even with all that fire, I always thought racehorse ownership was too far fetched for me......just a dream, and that I needed to focus my talents on something else.

Well, to make long story short, fast forwary to fall of 2022.  I had been a head football coach for 10 years, and had just stepped down the previous spring so I could spend more time with my family.  Praying at church one Sunday, I felt the Holy Spirit say, "What would you do if you knew you could not fail?"  That answer was easy for me....buy a racehorse.  I was always affraid to do it because of the financial obigation and for the fear of failing.  That September, I had a new confidence, and I went to my first Keeneland September sale.  I was welcomed with open arms, met so many good people.  I got outbid on EVERY horse I felt good about purchasing, but I left the sale at least feeling like I made some good contacts and had gained some valuable information.

I met back up with a young trainer at the Fasig Tipton sale, and ended up buying my first yearling.  I have since privately purchased another yearling (at the time), and we are about to be off and running.  

In my shirt time in ownership I have met so many wonderful people, that have all been gracious and willing to help.  I feel like if I don't have an answer or know what to do, that I at least have a couple solid people I can call/count on.

I am looking forward to the exciting times ahead.