There is a new rock star emerging at Gulfstream Park this year who has everyone buzzing about his size, demeanor, and stature. And he is not a Thoroughbred! Master is a solid, 16.3 hands, draft cross, blue roan gelding owned by Aidan Butler, Chief Executive Officer, 1/ST Racing & Gaming. FanDuel TV reporter/analyst (and assistant trainer) Andie Biancone’s laughter is infectious as she describes the first time she saw Master on the track. “I just love that he looks like a manatee with his face and acts like a big toddler. But there is so much more to his personality.”     

He was discovered by Santa Anita trainer Kristin Mulhall at Buckeye Acre Farm in Ohio. She rode him and sent messages to Butler that Master is a “big, chill guy!” She says that Buckeye Acre has some of the best trainers in the country. “They are really great with horses and make nice riding horses.” She alerted Butler that Master was going to be sold at the first Ride the Wave Premier Horse Sale in Ocala, Fla. in 2022. 

Master at the World Equestrian Center in Ocala in March 2022. (Kristin Mulhall photo)

It was an extremely prestigious auction which featured 65 top horses of various breeds and disciplines.  Horses were nominated and scored through a stringent system in advance of the sale. Master, born in 2016, was presented as a horse with “incredible rideability and can canter circles, do lead changes, spins and side passes just like Quarter Horses but with a bit more style.”

The owner of Buckeye Acre Farm, Duane Yoder describes their training process. Initially, they ride and evaluate a horse in training. They are looking for a horse with a good, quiet mind. Then they turn them out for a period of time and “let them be a horse,” which could be two weeks or up to six months. What Yoder is looking for is how good of a mind the horse has and if they have retained their training. “From day one, Master always had a positive attitude. He was very easy and willing. We knew he was good and solid. We named him Master because he mastered his tasks. He could have been grumpy or complained but he always had a positive attitude. He is special and always will be.”

In Master’s marketing video for the Ride the Wave sale, he demonstrated his calm sensibility. He is the definition of a “bomb proof” horse: a child and a pony walk underneath him,  he performs lead changes in a field without a bridle. He jumps through a hoop of fire. He stops and stands when his rider pretends to fall off of him. He draws a buggy. He doesn’t even flinch when asked to carry a large flag. He is patient when opening and closing gates, working with cattle, trail riding, pulling a sled in the snow, and even laying down on command.    

Aidan Butler was looking for a big, sturdy horse to ride on the track in the morning. Master is his pride and joy. He also likes the concept of having a reporter doing trackside reporting with the winning jockeys. He approached Andie Biancone, who has done trackside reporting at Del Mar and Keeneland.  They thought that Master would be the perfect fit for the job. Everything fell into place and Biancone absolutely loves him.

Andie Biancone on Master (Gonzalo Anteliz Jr. photo)

Master has a fan club at Gulfstream. Because he is a bit chunky, Butler also has him working as a pony for Jack Sisterson’s stable in the morning for additional exercise. He has proven to be quite comfortable with the job.

Butler had Master’s DNA analyzed, and the results are fascinating. He is a mixture of many breeds, but he is mainly 82% “Heavy Horse,” which includes 54% Belgian and 15% Franches-Montagnes (a Swiss breed), 8% Clydesdale, and 8% Fell pony. However, the first breed listed in his ancestry is 1% Thoroughbred! That explains his kinship with his thoroughbred buddies on the track.

What is it like to ride such a big fellow on the track? Biancone says that he is quite athletic. He’s still quite young and sometimes “he acts like a toddler. So he’s similar to the Thoroughbred in that sense where he is babyish. There is a lot going on with the big days of racing that horses are so sensitive. They feel that energy from the crowd and everything they absorb.”

He has really taken to being trackside after a big race. “He has outdone himself because even older pony horses can have a hard time adjusting on big days. He has been handling himself so well. He has his moments, but he is young. He’s just taken everything in stride.”

Andie Biancone on Master (Gonzalo Anteliz Jr. photo)

Master has his friends at the track. He loves “Mango,” the pony who is his best friend. He is also smitten with Shug McGaughey’s filly Maryquitecontrary, who recently won the Inside Information Stakes Presented by Brightline. He had been ponying her in the morning. When she won the race, he tried to follow her into the winner’s circle. Biancone says that sometimes the racehorses just stare at him. “They are like – what is that?”

Butler has a custom-made saddle for Master. On race days, he is groomed and festooned with brightly colored pom poms in his mane. 1/ST Racing takes the time to make him look very special and it adds to the ambiance of the day. Biancone rides him with a D-Ring Snaffle bit. He is not flustered at all with her reporting gear. She says he loves his pom poms.

When comparing him with other horses, Biancone says it’s the difference between driving a sports car and a semi-truck. He is a lot heavier. His turning ratio is different and she has to be careful because she has almost run over a couple of people on the horse path because he can be so wide.

But he is extremely comfortable to ride once you get up on him. “You don’t really feel like you are that high up. He’s definitely very heavy but you don’t feel like you’re riding an elephant.” Butler said it’s like “riding on a couch!”

Master at Gulfstream Park. (Amber Chalfin/Down the Stretch photo)

How about galloping? Biancone laughs. “He thinks he’s Hot Wheels out there! The ground shakes.” As for treats, “He likes anything that he can put in his mouth. He’s just like a little puppy. Anything goes including grass, shrubs, decorative bushes, and treats from his fans.”

It’s been really fun watching Biancone and Master during the Gulfstream meet.  She is quite proud of his development. “He’s very friendly. He wants to know what everything is. He really does not understand how big he is.”

Duane Yoder knew that Master was special early on in his training. It takes a unique horse to settle in quickly and enjoy life at the racetrack. Master has proved he has a good and quiet mind. But don’t forget that there is that 1% Thoroughbred inside him. Biancone had him positioned near the gate to watch the start of a race. As the bell went off and the horses charged out, Master gave a little hip hop and decided it would be fun to join the runners! Biancone quickly pulled him up, but it was caught on video. He’s quite the character.

It's a great world when we have monumental horses like Harley and Elwood at Churchill Downs, Kong at Santa Anita, and Master at Gulfstream. Their size and their easy-going personalities bring horses closer to the fans between races. Butler made a wise decision when he decided to add Master and Biancone to Gulfstream’s program. The ground shakes as he gallops by and it’s a stirring sight that everyone can enjoy!