Trainer Q&A

Q&A with thoroughbred trainer Troy Wismer- June 16th 2018: Troy Wismer is a 33 year old trainer who is very hands on in his everyday approach. He was a blacksmith for 7 years and use to break his own yearlings at Payson Park. He is based most of the year at Keeneland, but can be seen running horses at Presque Isle, Gulfstream, Keeneland and Saratoga. A young trainer with a passion for the game and I think his talent and patient approach will prove good for many years to come. If you have a trainer watch list, put Troy on it!

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Q: When did you get involved in racing?

A: “Started when I was 14 years old galloping horses for my father Glenn Wismer. Pretty much did every job in the barn and really got a great education from my father who made me the person I am today. (Father Glenn won the G1 Kentucky Oaks in 1992 with Luv Me Luv Me Not, the G2 Illinois Derby in 1993 with Antrim Rd.)”

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Q: Who has been most instrumental in your training career?
A: “My father who was a hands on horseman and I learned at a young age that I had to be a student of the game. I constantly would pick up certain things from different people and always listened.”
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Q: What has been the highlight of your training career?
A: “I would have to say that it would probably be a filly named Virginia Hill by Sky Mesa back in 2015. She took alot of work to get her to the track and she went off 48-1 first time out, broke slow and flew home to win first out going 7/8ths on the turf. She was 17 hands and that to me was so gratifying to win that race with her.”
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Q: What is you favorite track?
A: “Probably would have to say Keeneland. When they made the switch from poly back to dirt they really did a great job with the surface. I really like to train my horses over it and of course always nice to win there too.”
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Q: What track would you want to run at and also what track would you like to win at?
A: “To answer the first part, I would like to run a horse at Belmont which I have never done before. The track I would most like to win at would be Saratoga.”
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Q: Do you ever think you will be expanding your operation?
A: “I admit I would like to expand, but not have more than 30 horses because I want to keep my owners happy and be hands at all times. Anything more than 30 horses makes it hard to do this. I really admire the operation that Jimmy Jerkens has-he is patient, does not have a ton of horses and wins consistently on big circuits. I would like to transition to become a NY mainstay if possible some day.”
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Q: Will we see you at Saratoga in the upcoming years?
A: “Yes, this year I will have about 5-7 horses on the grounds and will look to grow a little more in the upcoming years.”
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Q: What do you look for in a horse?
A: “I look alot at breeding and are looking at the dams over sires. I like solid mares that come from a solid family-the 2nd and 3rd dams that have blacktype in the pedigree. At the end of the day pedigree comes through.”
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Q: Any promising horses that you have coming up that get you excited about?
A: “I have some 2yo’s that I am looking to fire off at Saratoga, but we will see (laughing). “

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