Ed Moger, Jr.

I was born on April 5, 1956 in Lakeland, Florida. Being infatuated at a young age by horse racing, I started my career on the racetrack as a groom for trainer, Jay Mills, while I attended the University of Washington in Seattle during the mid-1970’s. After serving an apprenticeship with Mills, I took out my first trainer’s license in 1976 and won with my first starter in August 1976 at Playfair in Eastern Washington with a horse named Alert’s Honey.

I campaigned with much success in the Northwest while based in Washington and made frequent trips to the Bay Area. In 1990, I decided to move to the Bay Area full-time. I currently train in both Northern California and Southern California racetracks, including Bay Meadows, CARF, Del Mar, Fairplex, Golden Gate Fields, Hollywood Park and Santa Anita.

I believe that selecting a trainer is one of the most important decisions a Thoroughbred owner has to make, as it requires the right trainer with the proper experience to do it properly and successfully. I have an excellent reputation with my clients as being reliable, knowledgeable, responsible and trustworthy. I take a strong interest in each horse, as I believe it is important to get to know their individual characteristics, movements and personalities. I encourage my clients to be actively involved with their horses by visiting the barn, watching their morning workouts and attending races. Customer service is one of the most important aspects of my training business and I believe in keeping my clients up-to-date on their horses’ health, training program, abilities and potential. I am always honest, up-front and fair with my clients, which is why I maintain so many successful long-term relationships with them. In fact, I have been training for many of the same clients since the 1970’s.

One of my specialities is buying yearlings and I have been quite successful, as it requires a qualified person to look at and evaluate each horse. Each year, I attend the major yearling sales in Washington (Emerald Downs), California (Barretts and Northern California), Florida (Ocala) and/or Kentucky (Keeneland) purchasing horses for myself and my clients. I also claim, breed and negotiate private sales for myself and my clients, which I have had great success at as well.

I am very involved with my weanlings and yearlings and make frequent trips to the farms to check on their progress before they come to my barn at the racetrack. I also keep a close eye on all my horses that are re-cooperating on the farms from sickness or injury to ensure they are getting the best care possible so they will return to the racetrack healthy and ready to train again.

I have also been very successful with forming racing partnerships with my clients. I feel racing partnerships are an excellent way to get started in the game, share the rewards and minimize the risks. Many people believe that Thoroughbred ownership is only for the rich, but I feel it is a reality for anyone that wants to. I allow anyone the opportunity to experience the benefits of horse ownership (visiting your horse at the barn, watching morning workouts, meeting jockeys, standing in the paddock, watching your horse race and standing in the winner circle) at a price they can afford. The future of racing depends on it!

Some of the notable horses I have trained include: Alletasso, Amber Hills, B. Mr. Lucky, Dakota Padre, Demon Warlock, Gentle Charmer, Indian Weaver, Legendary Weave, Lord If Miss, Lusty Latin, Moonlight Romance, No Curfew, Phaenna, Reginald Star, Seam Seeker, Snoopy Tom, Starlifter, Sweet But Bold, Timely View, Valid Victress, Warning Label, Western Sovereign and Zoning In.

I currently live in Richmond, California, but also have a home in Peoria, Arizona. I am currently divorced and have 2 grown children. My mother and my brother and his family still all reside in Bellevue, Washington. I also enjoy golfing with my friends, clients and colleagues.

Thoroughbred horse racing has always been a passion of mine and I have devoted my life to it. I honestly believe that the future of racing in California requires the involvement of trainers, owners, racetrack officials and the general public who enjoy Thoroughbred Horse Racing. I was on the Board of the CTT from 1994 to 2009 (served as President in 2007) and also served on the CTHF Board. I currently serve as a TOC Director. In 2008, I was honored by the CTBA as Outstanding Trainer for 2007. I am highly respected among my clients, fellow trainers, racing officials, racetrack employees, as well as my own employees.

I am very concerned with the current state of horse racing in California. My goals are to help increase breeding and horse population, change purse distribution, develop a better racing program as well as an effective marketing program, and significantly increase the handle. I truly care about the future of racing in California.