Annie Stoebe’s evolution into an elite trotting trainer
by Murray Brown
How does a young woman from Montana, where harness racing is virtually unknown, get to be front and center on the number one stage in the sport? We recently asked Annie Stoebe (pronounced stow bee) that same question. Here’s what she had to say: “My former husband and I had recently moved to New Jersey. He was in the military. I had a background with horses in Montana, but with those involved with barrel racing and rodeos. I investigated the scene in those two pursuits here in New Jersey and didn’t find them to my liking. A friend suggested that I look into harness racing. At the time, I barely knew of the sport’s existence. But it involved horses. I had always loved them — any and all that I came into contact with. It was certainly worth a try. I got a job with Brett Bittle and quickly found that I loved working with these wonderful animals. I worked with Brett for about five years, beginning as a groom, then progressing to jogging horses and eventually training.”
Can you take us back to when you went on your own?
“I was lucky, very lucky, in that Lynn Curry was just getting back into the game, this time as an owner rather than the groom that he had previously been. We went to Harrisburg in 2020 and he bought a filly named Mimi Ocean Hanover for $125,000. She turned out to be a good — maybe, not a great — filly. She earned $89,081 at 2 and 3. Looking back, the most exciting thing she did at 2 was win a Pennsylvania Sires Stakes at The Meadows, the same track where Lynn, in his younger days had worked as a groom. I suppose that certainly acted as impetus for both Lynn and myself. She is now a broodmare. Her first foal is a Chapter Seven filly that we will be training this winter. The next year we were at Lexington and Lynn bought Instagram Model for $350,000. She turned out to represent money well spent. She became a top Grand Circuit filly and earned $548,088. She is now also a broodmare. In the third consecutive year [2022] we returned to Hanover where we absolutely fell in love with an extraordinary red headed filly named Elista Hanover. Lynn bought her for $240,000. She is now the star of our stable. She has earned $810,258 with, we hope, many great racing days still to come.”
That’s quite a resume — three stakes-winning fillies three years in a row with earnings climbing significantly from year to year.
“I guess if you put it that way, the numbers bear you out. I’m very thankful to Lynn and the confidence he showed in a young woman who had never had a stable of her own. Most of all, any success we’ve had has been due to the terrific fillies we first set our eyes on and then of course Lynn spent the money with which to bring them into my stable.”
Before we get to other parts of your story, let’s speak further of Elista Hanover. Have you given any thought to perhaps taking her to Europe and test the international waters in the Prix d’Amérique and Elitloppet?
“That’s probably too far in the future. The decision, if it should come to pass, is entirely up to Elista… There are likely few things more that I’d love to do. But there is far more racing to do before that is even seriously contemplated.”
There has to be something in the manner in which you shop that leads to such great success from very few purchases made. What is it that you do, that perhaps no others are able to accomplish?
“I don’t know that we necessarily do it any better or differently than others. But we do work at it. Among the things we do, we look at all the trotting yearlings in whose pedigrees we are interested. At this point, we have no interest in pacers. They say never say never, but I have my doubts as to whether we will ever become interested in pacers. We go to as many of the farms as we possibly can. At those farms, if a yearling interests us on the floor, we want to see it turned out in the paddock. We insist on this, without exception. I will look at videos, but only as a re-enforcement tool. I would never bid on a yearling which I haven’t seen turned out. Videos are fine, but what you see in a video is only what the consignor wants you to see. Occasionally when we visit a farm, there might be a yearling that is not on our list that the consignor thinks that we should look at. We are more than happy to do so.”
Staying with your shopping, is size a factor in what you are looking for? Do you look for multiple eligibility?
“I don’t particularly want either a large or a smallish horse. I want one that is as correct as I can find, one without faults, and one that shows a great degree of athleticism. Another thing I look for is length. If a horse is long enough, the chances that it will interfere are lessened. Dual eligibility, matters little to us, if at all. I like to be with my horses at all times. The thought of shipping to Kentucky and to have a stable there is somewhat alien to me. I race almost entirely on the east coast where I can be with them on a day-to-day basis.”
How many horses do you presently have in your stable?
“Right now, we have 11 head in training here at Winners International with Elista Hanover and Diabolic Hill being our stars. We are looking to increase our numbers. Jeremy Morrison, who has a wealth of experience, has joined the team. We hope to be active at the sales this fall.”
In addition to Lynn Curry, who are the owners in your stable?
“The other owner with significant horse holdings in the stable is Mario Mazza with who I own Diabolic Hill. I consider how lucky I’ve been to have had two such great owners as Lynn and Mario. We also have horses for Crawford and Blue Chip Farms.”
Let’s talk about some of your stars.
Instagram Model: “She was downright mean. I can put up with that as long as they have talent, which she most definitely had. I trained her to saddle and rode her. I believe that did sweeten her up somewhat.”
Elista Hanover: “At first, we went through a stress period with her where she kicked me and then she fell down. She eventually adjusted to the point where she is now the sweetest, kindest filly you are likely to find anywhere.”
Diabolic Hill: “If ever a colt came by his name honestly, this is the one. When we bought him, his name was Ocean Rider. The name Diabolic is more suitable to his personality.”
It’s getting to be yearling time. When will you start getting out on the road?
“Just as soon as the catalogs are out. I’m chomping on the bit.”
One last question. You spoke about the tempest in the teapot situation regarding Jeff Gural’s words about the track conditions at The Meadowlands on Hambletonian Day. What are your thoughts?
“If ever words were taken out of context, these were likely the ones. Nancy Takter, Sarah Svanstedt and I often get to chatting in the women’s locker room at The Meadowlands. The topic is often the track surface. Without exception, the three of us, with also just about all the other trainers at the track, believe that more water on the track makes for a better, safer racetrack. Anybody that believes differently is mistaken. Sarah often acts as our spokesperson, simply because we all believe that she is in the best position to get things done.”
If you have a question or comment for Murray Brown, he can be reached via email at: [email protected]
