Texas Horseman Danny Pish Reflects on Tumultuous Year
HOUSTON, TX- The timeless adage that “the only constant is change’ is certainly true in the horse racing industry and as the 2025 Sam Houston Race Park meet begins on January 3, native Texan and respected Thoroughbred trainer Danny Pish can certainly relate.
Born in Yoakum, Texas, Pish’s competitive fires began on the junior and professional rodeo circuits where his top event was bull riding. He turned his attention to Thoroughbreds in 1995 and has established himself as one of the top trainers at Sam Houston Race Park, ranking second to Hall of Fame conditioner Steve Asmussen since the northwest Houston track opened in 1994. When informed that this will be his 30th year training racehorses, Pish responded with a simple “I’ll be darned!”
According to Equibase, Pish has entered 3,972 runners at the northwest Houston track with 656 wins, 567 seconds, 535 third-place finishers with earnings of $9.3 million at Sam Houston. With successful seasons at each of the Texas ovals as well as Oklahoma and Louisiana tracks, he has visited the winner’s circle 2,679 times in the past three decades.
“It’s exhausting and a tough way to make a living, but I am fortunate to have really good owners who respect my management program,” said Pish. “ I gallop my horses in the mornings and admit that no matter how many you train, there is a mystery in what we do! I thank the good Lord for making them a part of my life!”
Pish, 59, had a solid showing in 2024 with wins at Sam Houston Race Park, Lone Star Park, Louisiana Downs and the recently concluded Remington Park. However, he also had one of the most heartbreaking days of his career last August 25 when he and his wife Sabina were notified of the passing of two Texas legendary Thoroughbreds, Boots on Sunday and Goosey Moose. Both were bred by Wilton E. Scott; Boots on Sunday, sired by Pine Bluff, began his career in 1999, successfully competing in Texas and making a start in the 2011 Joe De Francis Dash (G1). The multiple-stakes winner won 14 of his 36 starts and retired in 2006 with earnings of $417,965. “Boots” remained active as a pony horse and part-time rodeo pick-up horse! He was 27 at the time of his passing.
Goosey Moose, 23, made his debut in 2003, breaking his maiden at first asking at Retama Park. He went on to win 11 of his 59 starts with stakes wins at each Texas track, including Star of Texas, Spirit of Texas and Richard King Stakes victories here on Texas Champions Day. The son of Shaquin retired in 2011 and successfully transitioned to a three-day eventer in his post-racing career. He remains the highest earner of all Pish’s runners with $576,153 banked.
These two champions were very special to Danny, Sabina and legions of racing fans in Texas. Both Boots and Goosey truly loved their time on the racetrack and were treated with compassion and dignity in their retirement.
“Boots was getting on in years, so we were somewhat prepared for his passing; we knew he had lived a great life,” said Pish. “But 23-year-old Goosey was loving life in his pasture, so that one really hurt. We were very grateful to have them and share so many stakes wins and memories.”
Pish has been generous with his time serving Texas Racing. He is currently a director for the Texas Horsemen’s Partnership and serves on its Management Committee.
Pish and Sabina relocated from Cibolo, Texas to Lipan four years ago and opened the 1880 Training Center. There is very little downtime for Pish, who has been one of the leading trainers at Retama Park, Lone Star Park and Remington Park. He has been a major supporter of the Texas Thoroughbred Association Sales and has educated a number of owners through the process of buying a quality racing prospect.
Pish has won four leading Sam Houston Race Park training titles and currently has 46 horses stabled here preparing for the upcoming Thoroughbred racing season.
As usual, he will have a mix of veterans and young prospects, competing on both the main track and acclaimed Connally Turf Course.. Pish won three races at Remington Park with the talented Texas-bred 2-year-old Jolly Samurai. His owner Jake Brown purchased him at the 2023 TTA Yearling Sale, for a modest $8,000. Much to the surprise of Pish, the son of First Samurai out of the Paddy ‘O Prado mare Jolly Good reeled off three consecutive wins at the Oklahoma City track before stepping up to the $300,000 Springboard Mile on December 13. The chestnut gelding ran fifth in that prestigious stakes and is in consideration for either the $100,000 Bob Bork Turf Mile or $75,000 Gexa Groovy Stakes on January 25 at Sam Houston Race Park.
“I really didn’t think he would do that well as he was a little on the small side,” admitted Pish. “You can’t be afraid of a challenge in this game. I was pleased with how well he handled two turns and look forward to his next start at Sam Houston.”
2025 Sam Houston Race Park Post Times and January Promotions
Sam Houston Race Park’s 31st live racing season will commence on Friday, January 3, 2025. The 42-day Thoroughbred meet will offer live racing will take place on Friday at 6:30 pm and Saturdays and Sundays at 1:00 pm (Central) through Saturday, April 6.
Houston winters are mild, with average temperatures in the 60’s; exceptionally suited for live racing and outdoor events. Bryan Pettigrew, Sam Houston Race Park’s Vice President and General Manager, and his team had tremendous success with their extensive promotions schedule last year and will offer even more events for the 2025 season.
“Houston is the fourth-largest city in the United States and Sam Houston Race Park is in a unique position to present quality horse racing combined with festivities suited for fans of all ages,” said Pettigrew. “Afternoon racing on Saturdays and Sundays is ideal for outdoor and indoor events. Attendance on Friday Nights has grown, so we are enhancing those evenings with food and beverage specials, college nights and live music.”
January Sam Houston Race Park Promotions Schedule
· January 3-5 – Opening Weekend for Thoroughbred Racing
· Jan. 3 – Live Music by the Slags
· Jan. 10 – Rice University Night at the Race and Live Music from Southern County Line
· Jan. 11 – Houston Football Fans Day
· Jan. 12 – Healthcare Appreciation Day
· Jan. 17 – Lone Star College Night at the Races and Live Music by Mr. Wonderful
· Jan. 19 – Senior Citizens Day at the Races
· Jan. 24 – Texas A&M Night at the Race and Live Music by Main Street Trio
· Jan. 25 – Houston Racing Festival–Five Stakes Races/ Houston Betting Championship
· Jan. 31 – University of Kentucky Night at the Races and Live Music by AM/FM
Sam Houston Race Park has upgraded its online reservation system with tickets for live racing, special events, dining in the Winner’s Circle Restaurant and suite rentals. For more information on live and simulcast racing, promotions and special events, or to book reservations, visit shrp.com.
Nominations for the Houston Racing Festival Close on Saturday, January 11
The Houston Racing Festival, with five stakes races offering over $700,000 in purses, will take place onSaturday, January 25, 1:00 pm (Central) post time. The Grade 3, $300,000 Houston Ladies Classic, now in its 13th running, anchors the Houston Racing Festival, which also includes the Listed $200,000 John B. Connally Turf Cup, $100,000 Bob Bork Texas Turf Mile, $75,000 Bara Lass and $75,000 Gexa Groovy Stakes. Contact stakes coordinatorGreg Thompson at 469-394-6330, to nominate to the Houston Racing Festival.
Houston Racing Festival – NTRA National Horseplayers Championship Contest
Sam Houston Race Park will host the 2nd annual Houston Betting Championship on Saturday, January 25. The handicapping contest, offered exclusively on-site, will feature a live money format with a buy-in of $1,500. There is no entry fee associated with the cost, as the entire $1,500 will be used as the contestant’s bankroll. Contestants will be required to wager at least $750 on the Sam Houston Race Park live card, which will feature the $300,000 Grade III Houston Ladies Classic and the Listed $200,000 John B. Connally Turf Cup. Contestants are eligible to wager the remaining $750 in their original bankroll on Sam Houston or select races from Gulfstream Park or Oaklawn Park on that afternoon.
Two NTRA National Horseplayers Championship (NHC) Seats will be awarded to the top horseplayers to compete in the prestigious final in Las Vegas (either 2025 or 2026).
The eligible wagers in the contest will be win, place, exacta, trifecta and daily doubles. A complete list of eligible races and wagers will be released on January 21, 2025. The prizes will consist of 2 entries to the Breeders’ Cup Betting Challenge to be held on October 31 and November 1, 2025, at Del Mar as well as 4 entries to the National Horseplayers’ Championship held on March 14-16, 2025 at Horseshoe in Las Vegas or for the 2026 NHC. The Top 6 finishers will have their choice of prize dependent on what is still available.
In addition to the Houston Racing Festival stakes being offered at Sam Houston on January 2, approximately 8 races will be offered from both Gulfstream and Oaklawn Park on January 25. For further information on the Houston Betting Championship and to sign up, CLICK HERE or contact Mike Steindler at mike.steindler@pennentertainment.com.