Behind the Gate ‘Vg

that you can learn from a hook. It is a hands—on experience. You must work hard and long hours. You must also haye a loye for horses. You must also he will—

ing to learn and to take and seek adyice."

Ralph was quick to acknowledge that he had some yery capahle people assisting him in the Ralph Annear Stahle oyer the years. They certainly contributed to his sttccess. Some of his helpers were Art Kennedy. George \\'orth. Bol) .\lills. l‘Irie \\'ood and Bill llieken.

()\'er the years. Ralph was quite success— ful training and racing colts and fillies. \\'here did he get these colts and fillies? Some were purchased at yearling sales or priyately; howeyer. most were bred and raised at home from his own hroodmares. In 2008 he had three successful brood— mares in his stahle. 'l‘hey were .tIn/tle lea/Ifrne/l. her daughter .lllI/I/U lea/(1cm

I l)l1( )tt 1: .\mt .\l;tt \eill

Ralph Annear

and ()1? 'l/m/ ’l'l‘eus/n‘e. \\'itli his particu- lar hroodmares. he looked for a sire with good manners because his mares were pretty high strung. He looked for a relaxed sire because his mares really got up for a race. He loyed and used Balance of Trade as a sire because his colts were good to Ralph; howeyer. they all took a pretty good hold and were pretty game. Ralph enjoyed this aspect of the industry but cautioned that there was a lot of thought. time and effort required. He was interested in hreeding

horses only to raise and race.

.\ly interyiew was completed with a guidA ed tour by Ralph and his wife Laurie of their idyllic and almost utopian facilities on the l)ouses Road in Lower Montague. If successful horses are happy horses. I helieye l know why the Ralph Annear Stahle achieyed success oyer the years.

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