"Inspired by a Legend"

Eddie Martin (Owner)

Eddie's first experience with horses was hanging around the cavalry barns at Army base, Ft. Benjamin Harrison, near his home in Indianapolis, Indiana, where his 16 year old girlfriend was employed as a groom. Eddie was allowed to visit his girlfriend as long he would help muck stalls and walk hot horses. Little did he realize that his introduction to these wonderful animals would evolve into an important part of his life for the next 31 years.

During the Spring of 1973 (after working around horses for several months), 16 year old Eddie turned on his family T.V. to watch his favorite Saturday T.V. program (Wide World of Sports). This was the first Saturday in May and the Kentucky Derby was one of the segments that day on W. W. S. A large bright chestnut colt by the name of SECRETARIAT forever changed his life when Eddie watched "Big Red" win the Derby in spectacular fashion. After following Secretariat's Triple Crown races and his phenomenal win in the Belmont, Eddie knew one day he had to own a race horse of his own.

Five years after Secretariat's Triple Crown victory, Eddie entered the world of horse racing by purchasing a yearling racing Quarter horse. Eddie and his girlfriend had owned a couple of quarter horses they barrel raced for 5 years, but Eddie wanted to race horses on the racetrack. Eddie had met a retired NHL goalie during the barrel racing years and he was training racing Quarter Horses as well. He helped Eddie find and purchase the yearling filly in 1978. The following year the two had teamed up to win Eddie's first race at the Indiana State Fair. Standing in the Winner's Circle with 20 friends and family gave him a thrill he had never experienced and has spent the last 26 years chasing and repeating in the Quarter Horse and Thoroughbred industries. In his mind, the exhilaration of owning a winning racehorse is second to none. Whether winning that maiden race at the Indiana State Fair in 1979, or winning a Stake race at Saratoga, the inspiration for Eddie's life passion to be involved with racehorses was the immortal Secretariat, "Big Red"

INDUSTRY INVOLVEMENTS

~ 1st Vice President Florida Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association

~ 1994 TOBA Outstanding Owner / Breeder Award (Indiana)

~ Commissioner: Indiana Horse Racing Commission

~ Chairman: Indiana Thoroughbred Development Fund

~ Chairman: Indiana Horse Racing and Breeding Coalition

~ Author: Indiana-Bred Program

~ Past President: Indiana Thoroughbred Owners & Breeders Assoc.

~ Past Vice-President: Quarter Horse Racing Association of Indiana

~ President: Martin Stables, Inc. 1984 to Present

~ Owner: Hoosier Oaks Farm, Ocala, FL 1989 - 1995

~ Owner: Martin Stables South 2003 to Present

~ Member: FTBOA 1986 to Present