Called Lady Sheila Stable, the syndicate “became a camaraderie,” Rosenblum recounted. “Our first group of eight women became pretty close friends. When we started, I was only very friendly with about two or three of the partners.” This success brought immense joy not just to Rosenblum, but to her newcomer partners, including Dorothy “Dottie” Herman, CEO of Douglas Elliman, and philanthropist Iris Smith, among others. Rosenblum put together additional partnerships, including Lady Sheila Stable Two. Then came Matt King Coal, who briefly blazed the 2016 Derby trail. Currently, Rosenblum manages about six syndicates and owns all or part of approximately 25 horses. Recent Rosenblum-owned runners include multiple stakes winner Holiday Disguise. Thanks to her success, Rosenblum doesn’t have to solicit partners; instead, she said, “it seems like they’ve been coming to me.” Last year, Rosenblumexpanded into the breeding world. Her broodmares include now-retired La Verdad and Hot City Girl. La Verdad’s recent pregnancy and her baby’s birth were documented on the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame’s “Foal Patrol” website. Noted Rosenblum, “The more I learn, the less I think I know, and that’s what happens. I never thought I would want to be a breeder. I never thought I would have the patience to breed.” That means selling some of her mares’ babies to offset the expenses of caring for horses. Rosenblum keeps all of her broodmares at veteran horsewoman VivienMalloy’s Edition Farm in Hyde Park. Malloy has mentored Rosenblum and they have become close friends. Rosenblum is devoted to improving the lives of her horses, both during and after their careers on the track. She is active in the New Vocations Racehorse Adoption Program, donating some of her Thoroughbreds to the organization, which provides happy and healthy second homes for retired racehorses. Some horses are retrained for second careers, whether as
CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: CHRIS KAY (CEO OF NEW YORK HORSE RACING ASSOCIATION, INC.), SHEILA ROSENBLUM, KARA ROSENBLUM (DAUGHTER), ERIK ROSENBLUM (SON); AT THE NATIONAL MUSEUM OF RACING & HALL OF FAME DURING THE UNVEILING OF NEW LAWN JOCKEYS; SHEILA RECEIVING THE ECLIPSE AWARD. PHOTO BY TIBOR SZLAVIK; AFTER HOLIDAY DISGUISE WON THE CRITICAL EYE STAKES AT BELMONT. LINDA RICE (TRAINER), IRAD ORTIZ (JOCKEY), SHEILA, RANDY LAMPERT & VIVIEN MOLLOY OF EDITION FARM, WITH WHOM SHEILA CO-OWNS SEVERAL HORSES
much harder than men to get the same recognition and to get taken seriously. I think I’ve paid my dues in racing and have earned enough respect now that the men have seen I’ve taken my fair share of disappointments and am still in the game.” She added, “It’s not right, when I go to the track in the morning, there are hardly any other female owners and I’m trying to [make] it that my partners are always welcome. But it’s a matter of getting more women involved in everything… You’ve got to be a doer.” And no one does it quite like Sheila Rosenblum. -- Carly Silver is an editor at HarperCollins and writer whose articles on ancient history have appeared in The Atlantic, Narratively, Smithsonian, and Atlas Obscura. As a Thoroughbred racing journalist, she regularly contributes to Blood-Horse and The Thoroughbred Daily News. WESTONMAGAZINEGROUP.COM 73 *
hunter-jumpers or as therapy horses that work with people with disabilities. In August of 2018, Rosenblum was asked to join the board of the Thoroughbred Charities of America, whose grants help support the rehabilitation of retired racehorses, assists the backstretch and farm employees that care for racehorses, funds equine assisted therapy programs and equine research. Rosenblum also continues to serve on the Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association board of trustees. But she still keeps her eye on the prize— working to shatter glass ceilings in racing. Rosenblum noted, “Women have to work so
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