Sara breezing "Sporting Season."
Like the entire All Play Stable team, Sara Dunham has loved horses all of her life. Contrary to some of the rumors that are floating around, Sara was not actually born on horseback, but to her family and her many friends it sometimes seems that way. She’s an accomplished horsewoman with a lifetime of outstanding experience.
Sara: “I was born in New Jersey and raised mostly in New Orleans. Dad (Trainer B. G. Dunham) had a string of racehorses, so summers found us traveling to the various tracks where Dad was racing. It was great.”
Sara met Robin Fiester when both were students at Louisiana Tech University. Sara graduated in 1987 with a B. S. in Animal Science and a ‘specialty’ in “everything racetrack.” Then it was back to the races where for six years she worked as an exercise rider and an assistant trainer for her Dad.
Next, Sara went to work as Assistant Trainer for Hall of Fame Trainer Carl Nafzger, where for seven years she was responsible for fifteen to thirty horses. She developed training schedules and feeding programs, managed the horses’ health care, coordinated horse and employee transportation, and was in contact with owners and the media. During these thirteen years Sara saddled many winners, including stakes winners Solvig, Bound By Honor, Vicar, and Banshee Breeze. (We’re going to ask Sara to go back on the road and train the All Play horses. Just kidding, Sara!)
After years of traveling back and forth to the various racing meets Sara decided to put down roots, and what better place to do that than in Saratoga Springs, NY. So in 2002 she accepted a position with a prominent real estate agency and has been selling real estate – primarily equine – for six years. She earned her Broker’s license in 2004.
Full-time residency in Saratoga Springs enables Sara to stay completely connected to Thoroughbred racing and at the same time forge wonderful relationships with area businesses, restaurants, and B&B’s, and also with the Thoroughbred Racing Hall of Fame. She is also deeply involved with several animal rescue organizations and is a key person in their fundraising, most particularly with the Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation.
Sara loves horses, and she has a deep understanding of the Fun and Excitement that Thoroughbred racing can bring to those who participate as owners, so it’s easy to understand why Paul and Robin are excited to have her on board!.
Sara’s characteristic ‘straight answer’ approach will ensure that our Partners are never uninformed, and her “hands-on, at-the-racetrack” experience will be instrumental in helping us to avoid some of the pitfalls that might otherwise hamper our progress.
Sara: “All Play Stable is about gathering up a group of Thoroughbred fanatics and racing some Big Horses. I’m excited about bringing the Fun and Excitement to people who’ve been waiting so long for a chance just like this. The All Play Method makes it affordable, and thereby more fun for all of us. We’re gonna go for it! You should come along.”
