The Jacksons have dropped Michael Matz as their trainer for “a new set of eyes.” They have removed 11 horses out of training from Michael’s barn. Please do not make this a Barbaro discussion. I am just really shocked to read this news!!! Your thoughts?
You are about a month too late in reporting this news. But thanks anyways. 
Oh, and btw. It was loooong overdue. Replacing him that is. Matz isnt even the best trainer(horseman) in the barn…Peter is overall, far superior.
I like Matz, but I kinda think it was overdue… Don’t get my wrong, he’s not a bad horseman, but I don’t think he’s the kind who’s going to produce tons of winners. I mean, I haven’t paid him a ton of attention, but basically his only big win was with Barbaro, right? He starts racing his horses later from what I’ve seen, so they really don’t have a shot at the KD or really any bigger races, which makes getting any to the BC harder… I’m sure they hated to do it, but I think it was a wise decision.
MM has a long history of being a fine horseman, many an owner wouldn’t like that. The horse comes first, second and third to MM, not always to the owners.
Frankly I’ve always wondered how he ever got a horse to the starting gate given what he has to compete with in regards to the lack of horsemanship in TB racing today.
Figured he’d be black balled long before now.
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I think the only people qualified to answer here are Roy and Gretchen Jackson. Go gossip somewhere else!
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Michael matz
MM has won quite a few big races besides what Barbaro did. If the Jacksons wanted a change it is their right. Did they move their horses from Barclay Tagg as well? Running two year olds and getting into the Derby doesn’t define a trainer. Jonathon Sheppard doesn’t run horses in the derby very often or if at all. He is in the Hall of Fame. Whether Peter is a better horseman than Michael is none of my business, but it is MM Stables.
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The Lael horses that Barclay already had stayed. New ones went to him as well, including the 2 yr old brother named Margano.
Meanwhile Leigh Delacour got the string of their horses that had been based with Michael.
She has a fantastic rep and history and so far has done well with the new horses.
The Jackson’s have every right to make a change and the inside word we’ve heard here (from those in the Matz barn and based at Fair Hill, all agree it was a long time coming)
~Emily
[QUOTE=jennifersw;5745817]
I think the only people qualified to answer here are Roy and Gretchen Jackson. Go gossip somewhere else![/QUOTE]
I will make this my last post on this thread(dont want to get you Matz worshippers all worked up), but trust me when I say that Roy and Gretchen Jackson arent the only ones here qualified to answer.
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Why even make this an issue, its private and as one said way old news.
like some others have said… he is well rid of the Jacksons…way more work to deal with them every day than muck 100 stalls
Bet he did nothing wrong and nothing right…sleep well MM enjoy the peace…
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Are you insinuating that the Jackson’s are not horsemen who put their animals first? I can assure you if that is the case that you could not be farther from the truth–and I’m not referring to Barbaro.
With respect, Dahoss…
When an owner decides to change trainers, it is their decision. I’ m a MM fan from way back when. I’ ve known Leigh Delacour’s family for years. She IS a great horseman and this IS a huge break for her in many respects. Surely others may have something to say about what happened, but ultimately, it was the sole decision of the people paying the bills, the Jacksons. Maybe MM IS lucky to be rid of them, but I don’ t get this whole “ooohhhh this happened- let’ s stir up as much sh*t about it as we possibly can!!!”.
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Obviously, Fair Hill isn’t far outside of Chester County, PA, and MM lives in CC. CC is, undoubtably, one of the worst places for gossip in. the. world. People just cannot seem to help themselves.
I have been a huge fan of MM since the Grande/Jet Run days, so, for me, he is still top drawer!
I think the Jacksons are fabulous horsemen and the same for Michael Matz. Just because they are no longer in partnership does not take away from either’s talent or ability.
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[QUOTE=ASB Stars;5747500]
Obviously, Fair Hill isn’t far outside of Chester County, PA, and MM lives in CC. CC is, undoubtably, one of the worst places for gossip in. the. world. People just cannot seem to help themselves.
I have been a huge fan of MM since the Grande/Jet Run days, so, for me, he is still top drawer![/QUOTE]
Which is why we can tell the OP isn’t from here. As this was news OVER a month ago.
~Emily
Old news? My issue of the Horse of Delaware Valley just arrived on July 28TH. I don’t get the online edition.
My shock has since worn off. I was taking the news too personal because I love Michael. Of course I should know better because clients change trainers all the time. Sorry everyone. Peace.
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We will see Lentanor is running today I believe…
Hope somebody reports how he does. Anyone know how Nicanor is training, any starts? Had been curious about if another trainer might have better luck with hm.
Lentenor won today.
[QUOTE=betonbill;5750317]
Hope somebody reports how he does. Anyone know how Nicanor is training, any starts? Had been curious about if another trainer might have better luck with hm.[/QUOTE]
Trust me, it wont be all that difficult for a decent trainer to improve him off the previous trainer.
I wasn’t surprised here.
