Family ties. A betting contest. A ski trip. A knack for picking out the right thoroughbred. Every one helped lead Tony Gattellaro to his horseracing dream.
For as long as Gattellaro can remember – well before he became a breeder owner and trainer – horses have been a staple in his life.
“My dad and my mom were pretty big on taking us out to my grandparents’ farm,” recalled Gattellaro. “My grandfather is Mike Nosowenko is an owner and breeder, and his son, Nick, is a trainer. I’d have to say it was my grandfather and father who really sparked my interest in horses. They were partners in a horse when I was a really young kid. My interest just kind of grew from there.”
In high school, that ardent interest was the reason he missed the odd math class or two.
“Whenever my grandfather and father would have a horse running on a Thursday and Friday, I’d try and figure a way to get out of class,” he said with a laugh. “I’d try to get them to sign me out. The funny thing was that they’d end up taking a whole carload of kids to Woodbine. Math class was always missing a few students.”
Soon enough, it all started adding up for Gattellaro.
“My foray into the industry was as an owner,” he said. “Then I got into the breeding side because I always enjoyed the pedigrees. At that time, I was going through school – I’m talking about college (he attended Fanshawe) at this time – and after I finished, I just needed a little time to see what I wanted to do professionally.”
It was during his many hours on the world-renowned ski slopes of Whistler, BC when he found himself thinking more and more about a life in horseracing.
“It kept on hitting me that I wanted to be involved in the industry and with horses. I realized it was I wanted to do.”
In hindsight, a popular fan-based event centred around one of North America’s most iconic horse races also served as a major motivator.
“Woodbine used to have a Queen’s Plate handicapping contest,” remembered Gattellaro. “It was during my high school and college days and I just loved it. Year after year - whether it was myself, or a family member, or a friend - we’d seem to be one, two, three, four five in the standings. We were always hovering in and around those top five spots. It was that contest that really gave the confidence to say to myself, ‘You really should be doing something in this sport.’ That was part of the epiphany I had. It brought out the passion in me.”
It’s why he emailed Dermot Carty of Adena Springs, the highly successful thoroughbred breeding operation headed by Frank Stronach.
One of the Stronach farms is located in Aurora, ON, the place Gattellaro calls home.
“I got in touch with the best people I could, which was Adena Springs,” he said. “If I was going to learn, I figured I wanted to learn from some of the best in North America. I interviewed with Mike Rogers and I was lucky enough that they hired me. They gave me a chance. Without them, I don’t know where I’d be. They helped me in so many ways, whether it was going to sales in Kentucky, or working with two-year-olds, or working with mares. I was lucky because I was able to do and learn so many things, which helped me become well rounded. I started out as a groom for the broodmares and had multiple titles, including Stallion Nominations Coordinator, Sales and Marketing.
“With me, there is just something about this sport – I don’t know what it is,” he continued. “You can’t explain it. I’m sure there are a lot of people in the industry who would also say it. There is just something about racing that resonates with me. I have a talent and I don’t know how to particularly to describe it. I don’t know if it came from handicapping or picking out horses at a sale, or reading a horse and seeing what they are trying to tell you. I can’t explain it, but it attracted me to the sport even more. I think it gives me an advantage.”
It was Andy Stronach, son of Frank, who suggested Gattellaro to take out his trainer’s license.
Two years ago, he did.
“Andy encouraged me to get into training horses and train for him,” said Gattellaro. “I went on a project for him out west and ended up at Portland Meadows. My first starter was Dynasheals. We finished third. For a first-time trainer, I was pretty thrilled. It showed I knew what I was doing, even if I didn’t at that time.”
He didn’t have to wait long to experience a milestone moment.
“Dynasheals ended up being my first winner – my third start. Heading into it, I knew she had a shot. At the quarter-pole, it was pretty much said and done. The rider was sitting on a lot of horse. I wish I would have a cheered a little bit more at the time, but it was a great feeling.”
One that Gattellaro insists never gets old.
“It doesn’t,” he offered. “But I’ll never forget that first one. It reminds you of those 5 a.m. mornings and what it took to get there. It was very rewarding.”
Fast forward to the present and Gattellaro is a multiple stakes placed trainer with nine horses in his barn.
He’s still involved on the breeding side and owns seven horses.
Away from the racetrack, he’s an avid skier and golfer. He also enjoys playing hockey and lacrosse, time permitting.
Yet, whether he happens to find himself on the slopes, green or arena, it’s the horses that truly feed his competitive side.
“I’ve always been fascinated by horses and horseracing,” said Gattellaro. “I’m really glad that I can say I’m part of this industry.”
A dream come true, he’ll happily tell you.
By Chris Lomon
Photos by Keith McCalmont (@TripleDeadHeat)
(C) Ontario Racing 2016. All rights reserved. May not be reproduced without permission.
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