July’s Owners’ Spotlight Recipient: Yvonne Schwabe

TORONTO, July 15, 2023 – Yvonne Schwabe’s name may be synonymous with Thoroughbred breeding, but this year, she’s also an owner.

“My business is not to own racehorses,” Schwabe said. “But sometimes if we don’t sell a horse at the sale, if we don’t get what we feel we should get or if it’s a filly or an older mare, and we want to continue the bloodlines, then we’ll keep her.”

This time out, the horse is 2-year-old filly Sancerre, who is being trained by Kevin Attard. Named after the French wine, she is the daughter of 2019 Breeders’ Cup Classic winner, Vino Rosso.

“I love a strong name. I love a feminine name. I’m not a fan of the cutesy names you know, and I love names that mean something from the family.”

Schwabe comes from a long line of horse people, including a grandmother who was a jockey in the 1920s. She said her business, Persley Den Farms, fared better than some during the pandemic, and that things have been on a definite upswing.

“I had a very good sales year last year,” Schwabe said. “This year, I’m going in maybe not quite as strong with my group, but you never know. Things change. It’s a long summer, and you just kind of have to hope going forward that you get better and better.”

Each month, ‘The Owners’ Spotlight’ pays tribute to an owner whose commitment to the sport is unwavering, and whose efforts and achievements rightfully deserve recognition.