After traveling all the way from Fargo, North Dakota, to South Carolina, Ryan Roshau was enjoying his first Breakfast at the Gallops experience on a sunny Friday morning at the Aiken Training Track.
“I think it is magical – the setting, the beautiful day, the horses and people socializing,” he said. “It appears to be an unofficial kickoff of spring and the place to be.”
Breakfast at the Gallops was held on the eve of the Aiken Trials, which Roshau was planning to attend for the third time.
“I’m a lifelong racing fan,” he said. “When you’re growing up as a kid, kind of in the middle of nowhere, you tune in to the Triple Crown races (Kentucky Derby, Preakness Stakes and Belmont Stakes) on TV.”
Roshau learned about Aiken by reading about it in a book.
The late Summer Squall, who captured the 1990 Preakness while racing for Dogwood Stable, still ranks high among Roshau’s favorite thoroughbred racehorses.
“I work for Wells Fargo bank as a manager,” he said. “I have to make three trips a year to Columbia, and I pretty much get to say when they are. I said, ‘How does the middle of March work?’ So, here I am.”
During Breakfast at the Gallops, the public had the opportunity to watch thoroughbreds train while eating a light morning meal that included fruit and bacon, ham and sausage biscuits.
This year’s special guest was thoroughbred racing analyst and broadcaster Caton Bredar. She spoke to the attendees, who gathered near and on the Cot Campbell Clockers’ Stand. Aiken resident Jack Sadler, who is the president of the South Carolina Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association, also spoke.
Sadler also is the vice president of operations for Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners.
The Aiken Thoroughbred Racing Hall of Fame and Museum will benefit from the money generated by Breakfast at the Gallops ticket sales.
“After we pay our bills (for the event), we’ll get a good chunk of it, and it will go to help us do exhibits and maintain exhibits,” said the museum’s coordinator, Lisa Hall.
In 2021, Breakfast at the Gallops was canceled because of concerns about COVID-19.
Approximately 40 more tickets were sold this year than in 2020 for Breakfast at the Gallops, Hall reported.
“We’re glad the weather cooperated, and we’re grateful to the Training Track for allowing us to be out here,” she said.
In the crowd, in addition to Roshau, were thoroughbred owners and breeders Jim and Debbie Lee, who are Aiken residents.
“Probably our most famous horse, Daisy Devine, was trained here by Brad Stauffer and Ron Stevens (of Legacy Stable),” Debbie said.
Daisy Devine captured 10 of her 22 career races and earned $1,095,892.
In 2011, Daisy Devine defeated St. John’s River by a half-length in the Fair Grounds Oaks (gr. II) in Louisiana in March and then ran in the Kentucky Oaks (gr. I) in May at Churchill Downs, where she finished seventh.
Other races won by Daisy Devine included the Jenny Wiley Stakes (gr. IT), Cardinal Handicap (gr. IIIT) and Pin Oak Valley View Stakes (gr. IIIT).
The Lees are the breeders and owners of a 2-year-old colt named Whiskey and Easy, whose name was inspired by Aiken.
“I couldn’t believe that anybody had never named a horse that, with Cot Campbell being here and everybody else (involved in thoroughbred racing) being here,” Debbie said.
She added that she was having fun at Breakfast at the Gallops.
“We love the Training Track and we love the people in Aiken,” Debbie said. “It’s Aiken, so you’ve got to show up whenever there’s a party.”
The Aiken Training Track is at 538 Two Notch Road S.E.
The Aiken Trials will kick off the Aiken Triple Crown. The Aiken Spring Steeplechase is scheduled for March 26 and Pacers & Polo will be held April 2.
