Happy Horses Win

Trainer Darrin Miller has been with thoroughbred owners Tom and Bonnie Hamilton of Silverton Hills Stables since 2001. Previously wintering at Palm Meadows in Boynton Beach, the team thought change was in order and after meeting with Virginia Payson and David Cole in Keeneland, decided that Payson Park would be a perfect fit for their operation.
What was your first impressions upon getting settled at Payson Park?
"I think that the peacefulness is my first impression. The wide-openness. When you spend all year on the backside (at Churchill Downs), and having to listen to all the noises, the tractors, the equipment and loud speakers and suddenly when that's all eliminated, it's a real relief. You don't realize how much that can affect you and affect these horses. A peaceful quiet facility is great. The track is fantastic. Top quality outfits are here and the people who have been here for a very long time are very welcoming and really helpful in getting us accustomed to the racetrack. It's a really inviting place."
Had you visited before deciding to train at Payson Park?
"No. They've been very accommodating and sent us aerial views, so we knew a little about the layout. And of course, it comes with a history here and nobody ever says a poor thing about it. Just the fact that the same people have been here year after year speaks for itself. "
What was it that helped make your decision to come to Payson Park?
"Mrs. Payson and David Cole had contacted us, myself, Tom and Bonnie, and they were nice enough to come down and meet with them in Keeneland and converse back and forth. We were obviously interested in trying something else, so it just kind of worked out."
What types of amenities are most important that you're looking for?
"I think it gives you an opportunity for a little innovation as part of your training program. I agree that a change is as good as a rest. For some of these horses that have been campaigning all year, the ability to do nothing or change your program a little bit helps them. The facility itself, the housing, the barns, nice big stalls is a good working environment. There's a lot of freedom here and the stock feels that as far as to and from the track, out and around and about. It gives me an opportunity to do the things I couldn't elsewhere. You can be really restricted in a confined track."
Have you learned anything since your arrival that you didn't already know about Payson Park?
"It's always been enjoyable to watch other operations. There's just some really quality outfits and quality horses here and if you're in the horse game you certainly appreciate getting to see those things."
I understand that your son Chase is a new rider. Is he here?
"Yes, he's learning and that's another thing. It's a great opportunity and a good environment for him to learn and work on perfecting his skills with traffic, but not too much. You're able to make a mistake and work off of that a little easier than other facilities."
What achievements would make you consider it a successful winter here at Payson Park?
"If our horses leave here sound and fit and we would want them rejuvenated, if they leave here really ready to go with fire and their heads are ready to go, fresh and sound, then it will have been a successful winter."
Are there any things that you would like to see improved to fit your needs better?
"I can honestly say, and maybe we haven't been here long enough to complain, but Payson Park has been very accommodating. I really wouldn't change anything. Everything has been a welcoming change for us. The environment itself, it works."

The annual Breeders' Cup just completed Saturday at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky. This is the World Championships of thoroughbred horse racing. There are 15 different races over two days finishing with the Breeders' Cup Classic with a $5,000,000 purse.
Payson Park trainers took nine of their Payson Park trained horses to the Breeders' Cup and came home with seven paychecks totaling $13,500,00, and recording 78% of its entrants in the money. The onslaught was led by Hall of Fame trainer, Bill Mott, whose Royal Delta won the $2,000,000 Ladies' Classic on Friday followed by Drosselmeyers' stirring win in the $5,000,000 Breeders' Cup Classic in Saturday's finale.
Canadian Hall of Famer, Roger Attfield's, Perfect Shirl, won the $2,000,000 Filly and Mare Turf Championship on Friday.
Bill Mott also scored big with Birdrun's second place showing in the $500,000 Marathon, and Christophe Clement's Gio Ponti finished with a fourth in the $2,000,000 Breeders' Cup Mile.
Gail Cox's, Hard Not to Like, finished fifth in the $1,000,000 Juvenile Fillies Turf and Roger Attfield's fellow Canadian trainer, Ian Black, placed second in the $1,000,000 Juvenile Turf with Excaper.
Payson Park's motto is "Happy Horses Win". These outstanding finishes have made these horses, their trainers, and their owners very happy indeed!
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34 years in the business has taught us that happy horses make winnning horses. Our 700-acre facility in sunny South Florida is designed to offer a stress-free environment for horses and trainers alike. Our "campers" are more relaxed and able to keep their minds on their training. The unspoiled landscape is full of hacking trails that the horses love to explore. Come see why top trainers return here year after year. Call for a tour today. You'll like what we have to offer and your campers will too!