Chandra Rennie
We had both seen Chandra Rennie ride via simulcasts from Louisiana Downs, but to be honest, neither Chris nor I knew very much about her. The first time I saw her via simulcast was this summer, and while she was previously unknown to me, I noticed that she was not an apprentice rider, so she had obviously been riding for at least a couple years. What I learned from Kim Stover (a jockey also featured on our site) was that Chandra had taken a few years off from riding (read this interview and find out why), and had recently returned to action. Interestingly, Chandra remained in racing during those three years as a trainer. Then, she returned to riding. She’s definitely a well-rounded horsewoman, since she’s seen the sport from both sides, as it were. Following is an interview with Chandra.
Chandra Rennie winning the
first race of her career
FOTH: Where were you born and where did you grow up?
CR: I was born in Lynnwood California, I grew up in Southern California.
FOTH: Do you have any brothers or sisters?
CR: I have two brothers and one sister.
FOTH: When did you first climb aboard a horse? Do you remember anything special about the experience?
CR: I come from a long background of the equine industries. I first climbed aboard at the ripe age of five and showed competitively on the POA Circuit and the AQHA and APQHA. (Western, English and jumping). The first experience is a bit blurred but do remember thinking this pony is huge……..He only was 13 hands tall. A meek size as opposed to the stock I climb aboard now.
FOTH: When did you decide to become a jockey?
CR: I have always wanted to be a jockey from the time I could speak. Being my father was a thoroughbred jockey. So it was always in the cards.
FOTH: How long did you exercise/gallop horses before you took out your jockey's license?
CR: I began exercising when I was twelve years old at Cherry Valley Training Center in Cherry Valley California. I will never forget it because I maybe weighed 60 pounds and the horse stood about 17 hands and ran off with me three miles before I could get him pulled up.
FOTH: When and where was the first race you ever rode? How did you and your horse do?
CR: My first race was in 1995 at Sam Houston Race Park. I was 80-1 and finished 2nd by a nose. The distance was 1 mile and a 16th.
FOTH: When and where did you win your first race? Is there anything notable about that day that you'll remember for the rest of your life?
CR: I won my first race at Sam Houston Race Park aboard a horse named "One Eyed Prince". Notable? An understatement. Due to the fact that he had been ruled off of several different surfaces and had been labeled an outlaw. He had one eye and we fit each other like a drum I went on to equal the track record with him fours days later and ended up capturing 8 wins with him. To this day he still is running at the age of 14. Another fine key about this animal is that he would always win on the outside fence. I believe you can find a pic of him on our web site.
FOTH: Is your family supportive of your decision
to become a jockey? Have they been to the track to see
you ride?
CR: My father couldn’t have
been more proud to see at least one of his children follow in his footsteps.
He’s been deceased now four years and I ride every day in his memory. My mother
a big horse show trainer enjoys and brags to all her show buds about my profession
and success. But of course that is what mothers are for.
FOTH: When you first broke into the sport, what other jockeys gave you advice
or helped you out?
CR: Robert Torres, Kim Stover, Jerri Nichols, Keith Austin, Bobby Walker. Each of them took time and patience with me at one time or another. Keith Austin really did a lot with me he even went as far as riding bales of hay with me in the afternoons to practice my form on the back of a racehorse.
FOTH: What tracks have you ridden at during your career? Do you have a favorite track?
CR: Houston, Delta Downs, Louisiana Downs, Fairgrounds, Retama, Lone Star, Hawthorne, Fairmount Park, Arlington, Hoosier Park, Evangeline Downs and Ellis Park. Of all these surfaces I must say Louisiana Downs has been by far the most appealing. Yes, Arlington is pretty. But not as fun as Louisiana.
FOTH: Of the tracks where you have not raced, which would be the one you'd want to try the most?
CR: Hollywood Park.
FOTH: What is the biggest race you've ever ridden in? What about the biggest race you've ever won?
CR: In 1996, The Jean Laffite for $250,000.00; I finished 2nd. The biggest win was a $25,000 handicap at Hoosier Park in 1996.
FOTH: Have you ever had any serious injuries during your career? What has been the worst thing that has happened to you in a race?
CR: I have had several. A shattered collar bone, broken ribs, nose, fingers, and shin. The by far worst was in 1998, when I had a morning accident and my left knee was nearly ripped apart. It side lined me for 3 years.
FOTH: Has the need to maintain a low weight been a problem for you at any time in your career? Do you do anything special to make weight for a race?
CR: Females rarely have weight problems. I eat what I generally want. I’m not a junk food junky like when I was a kid so I don’t have any serious weight problems. Plus I refuse to pull weight, if the horse can’t carry 114 pounds and win, it more than likely needs more than just me to help it out.
FOTH: Kim Stover (fellow jockey) mentioned to me that you stopped riding and went into training, then came back to riding recently. What was it that caused you to make the switch from jockey to trainer, and why did you decide to go back to race-riding?
CR: The 1998 accident took riding of any kind away from me. After three years of rehab I was physically able to return. The decision to train was because I’m a busy minded individual and an educated one and was not going to just sit around feeling sorry for myself. So I built the Horse Racing Firm Inc. along with my older brother Steven, who by the way is one of the most intelligent individuals in all aspects of science and business and together we put it all together and had some success. But the urge to ride again had never left and I myself being a stubborn woman said bye to the stable and my owners and gathered my tack and went back to riding.
FOTH: Have you been told by any trainers that they won't ride you because you're a female?
CR: Yes, but they sure want you when they’re in a jam and can’t get there horse out in the morning because their jock didn’t show up. I just laugh and say, "Give me the call on the horse, and I will get him out for you". If not it is their loss.
FOTH: Since you have returned after being a trainer,
do you think that other trainers see you in a different
light than they would other jockeys who have never "been in their shoes" as
it were?
CR: A lot of them do. Knowing that I have knowledge of ailments. That I can come back off a horse and give my opinions and before we know it we’re a team wining races with horses jockeys wouldn’t let run. But most that have had the opportunity to know me will tell you I’m not afraid of anything and can just about get an animal to do whatever I want with it.
FOTH: Do you have any specific goals for your career?
CR: I would like to just once be leading rider at Louisiana Downs and win the Super Derby. But because of my gender, in order for that to happen I would have to breed, raise, own and train the horse myself. In order to get the call on a Super Derby Prospect? But for now my goal was to break the female win record here, which I did last Monday with 25 wins and just be a good provider for my two children (Christopher and Kerstin). Stay safe and do the best I can at all times. And never stop learning.
FOTH: Is there any advice you would give to someone looking to become a jockey?
CR: Yes indeed, Never rush into the irons, the glamour you think you see out there really isn’t. You must be a dedicated hard working individual and very good with politics and people and have a handle on your temper. Gallop for at least two years along with gate working horses. Practice riding every day either on a bale of hay or equisizor. Dot your I’s and cross your T’s. This way you will be successful from the get go. Don’t ever be afraid to ask for help from other riders and don’t ever think you’re better than anyone out there riding because you’re not. Were all putting our lives on the line when mounting a thoroughbred and we all get paid the same.
FOTH: Do you have anything else you'd like to say to the fans out there? Thank you for the interview and best of luck in your racing career!
CR: Thank you for your support. With out the racing public none of us would have professions. So don’t think we don’t appreciate you. Because we do.
(Photos appearing on this page are from Chandra Rennie's website, www.horseracingfirm.com)