I attended Monmouth University where I was a Pre-Med student and graduated with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Biology. Later I attended Seton Hall Law School from which I received my Juris Doctorate, and I am currently a member of the New Jersey and Florida Bar Associations.
I have been completely involved with all aspects of the Thoroughbred Racing and Breeding industry since 1978. I first received my training license in 1984 and since that time I have trained, raced and bred horses in many states including New York, New Jersey, Florida, Maryland, Kentucky, Pennsylvania, Delaware, and West Virginia.
It has always been my philosophy with regard to the care of thoroughbred horses that you can only get out what you have put into your horse. For that reason I have always strived to provide the best care and nutrition that it is possible to obtain for the horses that I have raised and / or trained. My background in biology has been invaluable in helping me to understand, develop and implement state of the art nutritional and veterinary programs for my horses.
I believe in a hands on approach to the care of the animals that breed and train. The only way to accomplish this is by keeping the actual number of horses that I do train to a small but select stable, and by having competent, caring and experienced help. This allows each of the animals to receive the individual attention that they require each day no matter how much time that may take, or how involved that attention may be.
We feed only the finest grains and hay available on the market today, and when a horse may require that a diet be custom formulated to suit his or her particular needs we are capable of doing so and again only the finest ingredients are used in that custom preparation.
I try to stress the importance to my help of every small detail that goes into a horses preparation for competition in order to instill a work ethic which will hopefully be reflected in every aspect of our horses well being. This extends not only to the horse's body itself but, also to the cleanliness of its stall, feed tubs, equipment, and to the very barn itself. This work ethic assures that no detail will be overlooked.
It is also my strong belief that it is important to be able to recognize when a horse is ready to move forward in it's training but, also to recognize when it is time to STOP, and give that horse the time that it may need to either rest, or in the case of young horses just to let it grow and mature.
With the preponderance of such large purses available today for two year olds, coupled with the high cost of ownership, horseman and owners alike often tend to become overly aggressive in their attempt to get a two year old to the races. This will often result in many young horses that may have turned out to be promising older horses, being damaged before they are able to ever aspire to that potential. It is also often the cause of a brilliant two year old failing to be able to come back and perform at the same level as a three year old.
Certain horses were meant to race as two year olds. They are for whatever reason early developers, and more durable at a younger age then most. It is important to recognize this fact, and to exploit that talent when it is ready but, it is every bit as important not to push it beyond the point of no return just to get "one more race before we put him away for the year." That "one one race" has been the demise of more horses, both young and old, then any other single act that I can think of in all my years of dealing with thoroughbred race horses.
What most people in the horse industry today fail to realize is that this is only a business to those who work at it everyday such as the trainers, the grooms, jockeys, racing officials, etc. This is not a business for owners. This is a game, and expensive game! Arguably, the most expensive game on the face of the earth. That's why it was nicknamed "THE SPORT OF KINGS." As such, an owner needs to be prepared to spend a great deal of money to assure that the proper attention and care are afforded to the horses that they own. Sometimes this means PATIENCE. The patience and where with all to wait until next year with a horse. They must not be concerned with the added cost of keeping a horse with the potential to be a talented performer for another year without having it earn any money. A person should be a part of this sport because they love it, and because they appreciate the beauty of these magnificent animals, not because they are trying to make money with it. Yes, we all hope to make money. No one enjoys loosing money but, we must remember that while this sport can, and does make small percentages of people millionaires over night, that this is still just a game. We should count our blessings if we are one of the fortunate few who actually get lucky and make money in this sport, and above all we should own horses because it is FUN, and because we legitimately hope to do something to improve the sport, and the breed by our presence in it. If someone can't afford to enter this game with that attitude then they shouldn't get into it in the first place.
I will not compromise any animal in my care because someone can't afford to give it a rest when it needs one, or because they can't afford to have a surgery performed when it is necessary or because it needed something of which I was aware and someone simply would just not provide it. My horses come first, and I will see to it that the animal has had every chance possible to reach the pinnacle of its potential as an athlete. If his owner does not agree with that philosophy then he needs to look elsewhere for a trainer. I can make this statement because I have always, and will always hold myself to that very same philosophy and that ideal.
-Anthony M. Cicalese