Employment History:

Published Works:

Public Speaking Experience:

Why M is an Expert:
My expertise is in horsemanship, as a general rule.

Best Advice:
The horsemanship aspect of the profession is number one. Without that you can’t win any races. Number two is you have to make yourself available to the kind of client that is going to get you better horses all the time – this is a goal of which every young trainer has to make themselves aware.

Passionate about:
I am passionate about developing young horses – I raise some of them, too. If you train a horse and he turns out to be very good, that’s a feather in your cap. It’s something not all horses can accomplish, but you always have hope for a big-time horse. Horses do not race until they are two years old. We have a fairly emphasized program for two-year-old horses here in New Mexico and I’ve had several of these horses. That’s a real talent, bringing two-year-old horses to their peak at the desired time. The knowledge that my son did very well is gratifying, since it gives me another opportunity to develop horses that I raised and see them do very well.

Biography Excerpt:
Gerald E. Marr, owner of Marr Breaking & Training LLC, has had a remarkable 50-year career as a professional horse breeder. He is best known as a breeder and trainer of quality horses, many of whom have gone on as contenders in horse racing competitions. Now in his 37th year managing his own ranch, he is accountable for overseeing business operations and providing breeding and training services for thoroughbreds and quarter horses. Mr. Marr has passed down his lifelong legacy of horse breeding to his son who, after receiving industry-related training from his father, now owns a large horse stable that is presided over by quality individuals.

     

Cambridge Who's Who: How do you remain current in your profession?  
GERALD E. MARR :  Our profession has changed so much that we have to flow along with the trends. If one state has alternative gaming, the next state usually has to get into it in order to remain competitive. In our own industry, as an individual you have to win races and be a sought-after commodity or you will vanish from the training profession. I’ve been training consistently since 1967 and you have to get your name out there. You have to win races in your local area in order to get the attention of people who may be prospective clients.

What is your greatest professional accomplishment to date?
I haven’t had any single, large accomplishment in the last few years, but I have won many big races. I had a very cheap horse that won the Sunland Park handicap. I came back with another cheap horse the very next year and won it again. They were stakes races where you would only expect big-time horses to come in – a $2,000 purchase doesn’t normally win a $100,000 race.

What is the most difficult obstacle or challenge you have faced in pursuit of your goals?
Right now, finances are the biggest challenge. I’ve never been put into a position before where one month you’re making $50,000 and the next you are making $20,000. The discretionary dollar is the biggest challenge that we face. We have to get some young people involved in it. We have to continue improving and being innovative in order to get the younger clients to come to the racetrack. Through the years, we’ve had several huge challenges. The biggest was the debate regarding having horseracing in New Mexico or not. Without having alternative gaming available at racetracks in New Mexico, we would not have racing in New Mexico. Horseracing would have evaporated because there are 16 Indian gaming casinos in New Mexico; the competition is tremendous for that dollar