Trainer Richard Baltas, a seasoned figure in horse racing, is embarking on a new chapter after a challenging period marked by a year-long suspension and profound personal losses. Having achieved significant success with horses like Freedom Crest, Big Macher, and Going to Vegas, Baltas is now rebuilding his stable with a renewed perspective and a commitment to the sport he loves. His journey serves as a testament to resilience, emphasizing the importance of learning from setbacks and focusing on future endeavors.
Overcoming Adversity
Baltas, 62, faced a one-year suspension from racing, ending in December 2023, due to violations involving race-day supplements at Santa Anita in 2022. This period, which kept him away from training for about 18 months, also coincided with the passing of his 93-year-old mother, Betty, and the tragic death of his 69-year-old brother, Alex, in a car accident. Despite these profound personal blows, Baltas views his suspension as a period of growth and introspection.
“It (suspension) was a learning process,” Baltas shared in an exclusive interview. “A lot of good came out of it. I have to look at the positives, and I got to do some traveling to Europe and did some things I’d never done before because I was working all the time. I tried to stay positive. Went back to the gym, worried about my health, both physical and mental. Obviously I missed the horses because I’ve been doing it for a while, but I just tried to become a better person, trying to look at my faults and trying to correct them.”
The time away from racing allowed Baltas to spend valuable moments with his mother before her passing, an experience he cherishes. “I got to spend a lot of quality time with her before she passed, spending most of the day with her,” he reflected. His brother’s accident, caused by a truck driver running a red light, was another significant loss that underscored the unpredictable nature of life. “But sometimes life happens and it’s how you handle it,” Baltas stated.
Rebuilding the Stable
With his license reinstated, Baltas is starting anew with approximately 30 horses, stabled at Santa Anita and San Luis Rey Downs, a significant decrease from the nearly 100 he had before his suspension. While some owners have remained loyal, others have moved on. Baltas understands that rebuilding his stable and regaining his former prominence will be a gradual process.
“It’s good. I’m plenty busy right now,” said Baltas, who initially obtained his license in 1991. “I like being around the horses, like being there in the morning dealing with the horses. It’s gonna take time. When you’re training horses for a really long time and something like this happens, you basically have to start over. You gotta get new help … it takes time. The horses aren’t like you want them to be. It takes time. It takes time to develop your staff. It takes time to do all those things.”
Baltas draws on the lessons learned from respected figures in the industry, including trainers Tom Skiffington and Richard Mandella, as well as Barry Abrams and Craig Dollase. His passion lies in developing horses, seeing them progress, and ultimately competing at the highest level of the sport.
“I (like) developing horses into being graded-stakes winners,” Baltas explained. “Just being with the horses day in and day out and trying to do the right thing. Seeing them develop. It’s fun to win a race, but it’s really fun to see a horse develop and become a graded stakes winner or a Grade I winner. That’s really gratifying because you’re playing at the top level. It’s not easy to get to the top level if you don’t have the really big clients with deep pockets.”
A Renewed Perspective
The break from his demanding schedule allowed Baltas to focus on his personal well-being. Previously waking at 4 a.m. for his training duties, he found a gentler rhythm during his suspension, joking, “I got up at 6 instead.” This period of enforced rest and reflection has provided him with a valuable opportunity to reassess his priorities and approach his career with renewed vigor. Baltas’ story is one of enduring passion and the capacity to overcome significant challenges, demonstrating a deep commitment to the art of horse training.
