 |
Laure Connelly, co-owner, has more than three decades of experience as an owner, trainer and breeder in the thoroughbred industry. Her perfect score on her trainers test made her only the second applicant in more than half a century to get 100 on the written exam. Only one of three licensed women trainers at the New York Racing Association tracks and being only 18 years old at the time, she started making headlines. She was named one of America's Top Ten Working Women by Harpers Bazaar magazine, was featured in the New York Times, New York Daily News, The Post, The Dallas Morning News, US Magazine and on numerous television spots including To Tell the Truth.
Working as a trainer in New York during the 70's she made the move to the mid-atlantic region in the 80's and raced at Philadelphia Park, Monmouth Park, The Meadowlands and Atlantic City. Winter months were spent in New Orleans or San Francisco racing at Bay Meadows, Golden Gate and Santa Anita. After returning to Belmont in 1985 and enjoying her most successful year as a trainer, she changed gears and moved to the Carolinas to develop young runners and raise a family. During the 1990's she had forty or more trainees at a time that went on to win hundreds of races for their connections. Currently, Laure devotes her time to rehabilitating runners at her Bradford Lane Farm with her husband Kevin Welk. In an effort to introduce their children Allaire 17 and Jonathan 14, to the colorful life on the backstretch they ventured to Colonial Downs the past two summers and enjoyed being back in the winners circle once again.
(Move mouse over pictures to stop conveyor, click on them to enlarge)
|
|
- loves his carao!
Buster, a 5 year old Maryland-bred gelding, set every fraction en route to victory in his stakes debut, the five furlong Punch Line Stakes on July 20th-paying a whopping $41.20 in the race for Virginia bred/sire runners.
Lightly regarded by the bettors in the six horse field topped by odds-on favorite Frisky Thunder, A Reel Buster overcame a bumping incident at the start and quickly gained command on the outside. He opened a wide margin in midst retch and held off the hard charging Frisky Thunder to score by three and a quarter lengths.
Bred and owned by Robert P. Levy and his trainer, Laure Connelly, A Reel Buster is a son of now deceased Eclipse Award winner Housebuster, who raced for Levy.
Picture 1:
Dodey’s Sky High an easy winner for Laure back in her grooming days. At 15, she works her way up the ranks in New York.
Picture 2:
Jen De Clar-Laure’s first winner as a trainer.
Picture 3:
Laure at Belmont in the 70’s- the decade of champions!
Picture 4:
Ruthless Lady and Proud Bidder an entry for Laure finish one-two at the Fair Grounds in New Orleans.
Picture 5:
C’Est Le Reve under Connelly colors, defeats Marieski, who wears the silks of Her Majesty the Queen of England, at Saratoga.
Picture 6:
Fearless Teddy-owned and trained by Laure defeats Double Bill, the Eclipse Award winner, over hurdles at Saratoga. Teddy was also a stake winner and stake record holder on the flat at Belmont. He retired to Bradford Lane Farm and lived out his days with his longtime buddy C’Est Le Reve.
Picture 7:
A Reel Buster breaking his maiden at Colonial Downs, setting fast fractions (44 flat and 56.3) in his turf debut.
Picture 8:
A Reel Buster winning the Punch Line Stakes at Colonial Downs in 2008.
|
