NEWS
Mike McMahon
Posted: Thursday, June 24, 2010 3:33 PM
MIKE McMAHON
McMahon Bloodstock
When Mike McMahon was a senior at Cornell University, he went to Minneapolis for a third interview with Cargill to become a commodities trader. He was offered the job, but in conversation McMahon described his passion for horse racing and breeding.
“The man interviewing me advised me that I could still have the job but that I should really follow my heart and get into racing,” McMahon said. “I left the interview really confused and decided to follow his advice after visiting Keeneland [Race Course]. I lost his business card and never had a chance to thank him!”
Thoroughbreds always were an option for McMahon. He started working in the horse business as a teenager for his parents, Joe and Anne McMahon.
“My dad got me interested in bloodstock,” he said. “He brought me to the New York sales and introduced me to many trainers and agents that I am still friends with today. I came to Kentucky the first time with my mom. We were dropping a mare off to get bred at Clovelley Farm. I was awestruck by Paris Pike. Later, my dad took me to Keeneland for the January sale and it changed my life.”
The family’s farm, McMahon of Saratoga Thoroughbreds, is best known for raising 2003 champion three-year-old male Funny Cide and selling him, as consigning agent, at the ’01 Fasig-Tipton Saratoga New York-bred preferred yearling sale.
At that same sale, Mike McMahon and partners bought eventual Grade 1 winner Buy the Sport for $82,000.
Date of birth: August 11, 1971
Birthplace: Saratoga Springs, New York
Residence: Versailles, Kentucky
Title: Founder, managing partner
Companies: McMahon Bloodstock, Spruce Lane Farm, Saratoga Stable Pinhooking, and Bourbon Trail Racing
Education: Bachelor of Science, Cornell University
Family: Married, two children
Career: Seventeen years in the industry, beginning as a groom at McMahon of Saratoga Thoroughbreds and Scotty Schulhoffer Stable; worked at Irish National Stud, 1994; vice president of Equix Biomechanics, ’95 to 2001; founded McMahon Bloodstock in ’01; president of New York Thoroughbred Breeders Inc., ’07-’08; currently vice president of Belmont Child Care Association
Favorite horses: Distorted Humor and Funny Cide
What book are you currently reading? Racehorse Breeding Theories, by Frank Mitchell
Biggest professional achievement: “I am really proud to have played a small part in bringing Funny Cide to New York in utero.”
Biggest personal achievement: “Without any doubt, my family.”
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Posted by: John, Boston, MA on June 26, 2010 at 03:19 PM
Mike McMahon is my ma. Start with integrity and end with integrity. Hardest working guy around while taking care of his family all the time. His word is gold. While he doesn't talk a lot about himself or his accomplishments, you would be wise to focus on this man of few words, as those words are always well chosen and well thought out. Lot of innovative ideas for the industry as well as knowing his horses. Wise beyond his years.
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