Mention horse racing people at the Alameda County Fair over the last 20 years and a few names come straight to the front of the list.
There’s Allen Aldrich, a Pleasanton-raised horse owner and Alameda County Fair board member. Add Jeff Bonde, a Pleasanton-raised trainer that owned the fair winner’s circle for years. Finally, the one that flies the most under the radar, but can stand toe-to-toe with anyone that would make the list — another longtime Pleasanton resident, George Schmitt.
Schmitt, now 78 years old, and his wife Clare (76) have been as prominent and influential race horse owners locally as anyone in the last 20 years.
It was 21 years ago Schmitt was introduced to the sport.
“I got involved because I was drunk,” said Schmitt, never one to pull a punch or not speak his feelings. “We had a place at Incline Village, and we had a benefit for St. Mary’s, when one of the guys asked if I had any good bourbon. Phil Lebherz (a horse owner/breeder) was one of them and I asked him what he did for fun, and he mentioned horse racing. I asked him if he needed a partner and he said, yes.”
After initially not jumping on a $400,000 purchase proposal for a horse, Schmitt got into the game a couple of weeks later with a $40,000 purchase on a pair of horses that included filly Sierra Babe.
And the legacy was born.
“I went to Bay Meadows to see (Sierra Babe) run her first race, and she won going wire-to-wire,” Schmitt said. “When she won that race, I was hooked.”
Schmitt, who was involved in the telecom industry for over 40 years and in 2021 was inducted into the Wireless Hall of Fame, has gone on to either outright own or have a stake of ownership in over 300 horses. Some have seen high levels of success, while others were just ones he adored regardless of their success.
According to Equibase, a horse racing statistical company, the Schmitts have started 755 horses, winning 95 times, finishing second 99 times and running third 90 times. Their horses have earned $2,181,265 in purse money.
Here are the top five favorite horses for Schmitt, and it is an impressive list:
* Cambina: A smallish horse that was brought over from Ireland, this was one tough runner that at one point won four stakes over six starts, including the Grade I American Oaks at Hollywood Park in 2011. Ran in the 2011 Breeders Cup Filly and Mare Turf, finishing ninth.
* Frumious: One of the most beautiful horses Schmitt has owned, Frumious won the Palos Verde Stakes at Santa Anita in 2012, as well as five other races in 16 career starts.
* Sierra Sunset: Arguably the best horse Schmitt has had a piece of, as he was one of three owners. In 2008 he won the Rebel Stakes at Oaklawn Park and was headed towards a berth in the Kentucky Derby until suffering a hairline fracture. Recovered from the injury over a year later, he came back in 2009 to win the Alamedan Handicap in Pleasanton in his next-to-last race.
* Sierra Sweetie: Could have turned out to be the best horse Schmitt had after the filly came out and went 3-for-5 as a 2-year-old and was named the California-bred-2-year-old filly of the year. Won her first start of her 3-year-old campaign, but then suffered a disease that ended her racing career. Won $316,400 in her short career.
* Izzy Rules: A favorite of the Pleasanton racing fans; Izzy won the Juan Gonzalez Memorial in Pleasanton in 2009. The favorite was Washington Bridge, a horse that the owner bet $100,000 on his horse to show in the final moments before the race. When Washington Bridge ran fourth, Izzy paid $5.60 to win, but $24.80 to show. So many fans stormed into the winner’s circle for the photo that it had to be moved on to the main track. Also, won the Grade II Las Flores Stakes at Santa Anita in 2012.
While he has seen success at multiple tracks, in the end, it’s all about Pleasanton and the Alameda County Fair.
“Going to Pleasanton is like a breath of fresh air,” Schmitt said.
There have certainly been some amazing days for the Schmitt stable over the years at Pleasanton but then there was last year.
“Clare and I were 0-19 last year in Pleasanton,” he said, with a laugh. “We couldn’t win one race.”
The couple are planning on this year being much different.
Schmitt has 27 horses stabled in the Pleasanton barns right now and is feeling much better about his chances.
“This year we are expecting to win five to 10 races,” Schmitt said.
With the Pleasanton stables opened for the fair season, that means Schmitt will be a regular in the early-morning workouts. Back when Pleasanton was a year-round training facility, Schmitt was a fixture on the track apron, always watching his horses.
“I love going down there and watching the horses in the morning,” Schmitt said.
He always has been quick to have a conversation with anyone that walked up and asked about his horses. And he always offers advice for potential owners.
“I would encourage anyone that is an owner to not be afraid of their horses,” Schmitt said. “Run your hands over your horses — get to know them. You can tell when something is wrong.”
Schmitt has always been a huge horse advocate and one of the most dedicated owners when it comes to taking exceptional care of his horses.
He previously owned the fabled Ponderosa Ranch in Tahoe where he cared for his horses, whether they were still racing or had been retired.
A couple of years back he sold the property and, in the deal, came a 44-acre ranch in Gardnerville, Nev., where he keeps his horses when they are not racing or after they have retired.
“It’s as nice as any facility in Kentucky,” Schmitt said proudly.
As good of people as the Schmitts are when it comes to taking care of horses, it makes it that much tougher to digest when the ugly side of the sport rears its head.
Schmitt cringes when talking about the state of despair horse racing has gone through, dealing with trainer violations for doping horses or running them when they are not sound.
“The last few years have been really hard,” Schmitt said about the direction horse racing has been going. “I know some trainers that are getting away with cheating and have not been caught yet.”
While Schmitt has seen struggles with racing the last few years, he thinks the sport may be finally heading in the right direction. The banning of certain medications, along with the development of the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Act (HISA), are big steps in the right direction.
HISA was signed into federal law in 2020 and takes effect beginning July 1. HISA is responsible for drafting and enforcing uniform safety and integrity rules in thoroughbred racing in the U.S. Overseen by the Federal Trade Commission, HISA was created to implement, for the first time, a national, uniform set of rules applicable to every thoroughbred racing participant and racetrack facility.
“Getting rid of anabolic steroids was one of the best things that has ever happened to horse racing,” Schmitt said. “As much as I hate to see the government get in the middle of things, this is going to help.”
Schmitt has a pair of trainers tending to his stable in Marcia Stortz and Quentin Miller. Stortz appreciates all Schmitt brings to the table.
“He definitely makes sure all his horses are taken care of,” said Stortz, who has been training since 2015. “I think it’s great that he knows all his horses. He knows what he is breeding his horses for — speed to win on the front end.”
Stortz also pointed out that Schmitt has recently taken on the breaking of his 2-year-olds at the ranch in Gardnerville, something unique to individual owners.
“He has helped bring us some 2-year-olds and that is good for his business,” Stortz explained.
Stortz is fully understanding of the pressure trainers face to win, as horse racing training is largely a “what have you done for me lately” business.
And when it comes to running in Schmitt’s hometown?
“I feel pressure all the time to win,” Stortz said. “But I feel happier when we win at Pleasanton. I think it’s particularly special for George to win at Pleasanton — it’s better than anywhere else.”
Schmitt didn’t hesitate to agree.
“We want to get a lot of people out there for those photos,” Schmitt said.
Horse racing and the summer fair: Back together again
It’s been a couple of years, but the horse racing meet is back in full force in conjunction with the Alameda County Fair.The fair is set to run from today to July 10, with horse racing taking place Fridays through Sundays of each week, with racing also taking place on Monday, July 4.
The fair is closed Monday and Tuesday of each week, once again except Independence Day. There are 13 days of racing this year, with the post time set for 1:45 p.m. each day.
The free Daily Handicapping Seminars are set for noon each day at the stage located right outside the grandstand. Local handicapper Dennis Miller and race caller Craig Braddick are set to co-host the seminars again.
There are three stakes races this year. The She’s A Tiger is set for June 25, the Oak Tree Sprint on July 2 and the Everett Nevin will run on July 9.
There will be a Brew Fest this Saturday (June 18) and a Wine Fest on July 2. Both events will run from 2-5 p.m. in the Grandstand area.
This year it will be a Digital Grandstand where customers will be using credit cards or mobile devices to pay for food and beverages. Pre-order your tickets and parking passes online.
Seating options include Trackside Terrace Patio Dining, Sky Lounge at the Track, Season Box Seat Holder. Access to the Grandstand area is free with a general admission ticket to the fair.
For more information or to purchase tickets, go to www.alamedacountyfair.com.
