First person: Jonathan Sheppard of the Atlanta Steeplechase

Jonathan Sheppard is the all-time leading steeplechase trainer in America. He’ll make a whirlwind trip to Georgia’s Kingston Downs this week for Saturday’s 45th annual Atlanta Steeplechase. Four of his horses are scheduled to race. At 69, Sheppard shows no appearance of slowing down:

By Jonathan Sheppard

For the AJC

Horses were my passion as a child in England. I had a dream that I could be a jockey, but I was too big [now 5-feet-10]. I did ride in steeplechase races, and training became the logical next step.

Training is like a card game. You do your best with the cards you’re dealt, and let the chips fall where they may. It’s in the hands of the gods, and that’s part of the fun of it.

When you do something you really enjoy, it doesn’t seem like a chore. Dealing with live animals, they all react differently in different situations. I enjoy the challenge of getting the best out of each horse.

They all have their little idiosyncrasies. I had one, a flat racehorse named Forever Together, who needed Guinness to whet her appetite and make her relax. None of the ones I’m bringing to Atlanta are on Guinness.

Prince Rahy, in the Priority Payment Systems/IronGate Capital Sport of Kings Maiden Hurdle, is in his first start at the jump, and we’re interested to see how he goes. Money Train, in the Coca-Cola Enterprises/Georgia.com race, has been one of the best horses in the country. He’s had physical ailments and not run for several years. He’s intelligent enough, and we are hopeful.

Rahy and Money Train can be overanxious in the beginning of a race. That leaves them with not enough energy for the whole two miles. We have to keep them relaxed and switched off in the race so they have the stamina and energy to finish.

Sermon of Love, entered in the RBC Wealth Management Georgia Cup race, is the opposite. He’s better with other horses around him to keep him competitive. He’s one of the better horses on the circuit.

Mattituck Inlet is in the Belk Maiden Claiming Hurdle. His father was Monarchos, a Kentucky Derby winner. This race is for horses of lesser values. He might find his next owner there.

I am not wealthy enough to own these horses, but I enjoy trying to please other people. In some ways that’s a double pleasure: winning and sharing that with friends who own the horses.

The economy has not affected us as much as one might have expected. We have not lost any significant meets. Some prize money is a little down, but the fact we are still in business is much appreciated. Some owners have fewer horses, and one or two are out of the game. Steeplechase has survived many years and will continue.

I always enjoy Atlanta Steeplechase. The venue is particularly suitable. It’s a great place to watch, a natural amphitheatre and very pretty countryside.

Only a small group of aficionados know all the horses and riders, and that’s fine. The glamour and pageantry are part of it. Even for those aware only of horses thundering past them every 30 minutes or so, they can pick a horse by its number or the colors of the rider and place a side bet with a friend. That’s part of what makes it a fun day.

I will fly into Atlanta the morning of the race and back after the race. There’s not really any recovery time. We train more than 100 horses in three different venues. The next morning at 5 a.m. my first assistant trainer will call me and ask, “What should we do with the horses today?” I will need to have that answer the night before.

It keeps you on your toes. As long as things go well with my health, energy and enthusiasm, I will go on training as far as I can in the future. I don’t know what else I would do. If I did retire, I’d still go as a spectator.