NEWS
West Coast: A classic fit from A to Z
Posted: Saturday, September 13, 2003
Head of Talbots clothing stores is building a racing stable in Southern California
WHILE ATTENDING high school in St. Louis, Arnold Zetcher ran for class president using his initials in his theme, "I'll give you everything from A to Z."
Zetcher continued to give everything to the business world after completing college and during the past 16 years elevated Talbots, manufacturers of stylish women's wear, to the status of international giant. The Talbots logo is "It's a Classic."
Classic is woven into Zetcher's fabric. He entered Thoroughbred ownership with the same zeal 2 1/2 years ago and appears on a similar road to building a stable lined with classic prospects. To reach that goal, he united forces with Racing Hall of Fame trainer Ron McAnally, with whom he currently has ten horses in training. One of them, Fairly Ransom, won the Del Mar Derby (G2) on September 6.
Whenever Zetcher can pry himself free from duties as chairman, president, and chief executive officer at Talbots' headquarters in Hingham, Massachusetts, he and his wife, Ellen, visit California to watch his horses run.
Zetcher's ownership experience began on a positive note two years ago when Gabriellina Giof (GB), the second horse Zetcher owned, won the Manhattan Beach Stakes at Hollywood Park in her first start for him.
"It was my first winner after five months in the game and her first start since coming over from Europe," recalled Zetcher, who attended the race. "It was so exciting, I told Ron that I thought I had won the Kentucky Derby (G1)."
Zetcher, 63, remains an alert observer and eager student as he spends mornings on the backside and afternoons on the frontside with McAnally.
"Three and a half years ago, a mutual friend introduced me to Ron, and here we are," said Zetcher with a wide smile as he relaxed in McAnally's box overlooking the Del Mar finish line during a postcard-perfect day at the recent meet. "Two days ago, I was looking at models for national ads, and now I'm sitting here.
"I had been a racing fan for most of my life, but as much as you think you know as a fan, there is so much more to learn as an owner," continued Zetcher. "And what better teacher than Ron? We lucked out to be associated with Ron and Debbie [McAnally's wife]."
Ownership has provided a major outlet for Zetcher. "I have always been passionate about work, but this is a great getaway. This is quite different from business and a great changeover. Until the last three years, I had no hobbies, and this has made me a better person.
"It's not just the races themselves," said Zetcher of the added appreciation he has gained for the sport. "It's anticipating, looking ahead to the races, and talking to Ron in the morning on how the horses are doing.
"My secretary knows there are only two calls that get through to me," he said with a laugh. "My wife and Ron."
In addition to Fairly Ransom and Gabriellina Giof, Zetcher's stable consists of European imports Welcome Millenium (Fr), Nicobar (GB), Spainbird (Ire), and Alozaina (Ire), Argentine 2000 Guineas (Arg-G1) winner Recordado (Arg), Loving Type (Arg) and two-year-olds Marquee Affair, a colt by Marquetry, and House of Fortune, a filly by Free House.
Alozaina and Nicobar are stakes-placed since joining the Zetcher stable in this country. Alozaina finished third in the Del Mar Oaks (G1) last year. Nicobar ran third in the Oak Tree Breeders' Cup Mile Stakes (G2) last year and was second in the San Francisco Breeders' Cup Handicap (G2) at Bay Meadows Race Course this year, missing victory by a nose. Fairly Ransom finished second in a division of the Oceanside Stakes in his United States debut at Del Mar in July.
Award-winning work
Zetcher recalled being a racing fan while attending Washington University in St. Louis. "I went to Cahokia Downs then, and later saw Buckpasser and Secretariat run at Arlington Park," he said of subsequent visits to Chicago during the 1960s and '70s. "For years, my wife and I talked about ownership."
But Zetcher was mired in his work, a series of successes in financial and administrative positions that took him to many parts of the country. Prior to joining Talbots as president in 1987, he worked with Federated Department Stores in Cincinnati, Bonwit Teller in New York City, Kohl's Food Stores in Wisconsin and Illinois, and John Breuner Company in San Francisco. He became chief executive officer at Bonwit Teller, a women's specialty retailer, at age 37.
Zetcher is proudest of the growth he has helped to stimulate at Talbots. During his tenure, the number of Talbots stores has increased from 120 to 930, with stores in 47 states, Canada, and the United Kingdom, and annual net sales have jumped from $332-million to $1.6-billion.
When Zetcher arrived, Talbots had one basic concept in women's clothing, now called misses, as the core business. Through his ingenuity, concepts have been added in petites, kids, accessories and shoes, larger sizes for women, and, this year for the first time, a men's line, with the opening of three stores in the United States. The expansion of Talbots into men's apparel was featured in the September 1 issue of BusinessWeek magazine.
In recognition of his stellar work, Zetcher was honored as the National Retail Federation's 2002 Gold Medal winner, the industry's highest honor. He was also recognized by BusinessWeek as one of the top 25 managers of the year in 2000. In 1995, Financial World magazine named him chief executive officer of the year in the category of retail: apparel and accessories.
Designer silks
Zetcher's racing silks are shocking pink, teal, and chartreuse with a capital Z like the sign of Zorro on the back. "My wife's favorite color is pink," he explained. "Talbots is classic merchandise, and classic colors are pink and green. I wanted the Z on the back to personalize it a little."
Although Zetcher lives in Boston, a half-hour from his office in Hingham, he is comfortable with basing his stable in California. "I wanted to get in at the top of the game, and California, in my opinion, has the best year-round racing," he said. "I travel a lot, and have been all around the country, and enjoyed California racing most of all."
Zetcher and McAnally share a similar outlook. "Ron and I have a common philosophy," said Zetcher. "If the horse is not exactly right, take care of the horse.
"I'm open to adding horses to the stable, but I haven't set a number," he said of his fascination with ownership and commitment to the sport. "I'm looking to do it for many more years."
Steve Schuelein is a Southern California correspondent of Thoroughbred Times.
