Garcia, Murphy repeat as top trainer and owner

SHELBYVILLE, Ind. (Nov. 7, 2019) – Trainer Genaro Garcia had another exceptional season at Indiana Grand, earning his third straight title. He also teamed up with owner Bruce Murphy with his Southwest Racing Stable to take home top honors in that category as well to earn their second straight owner title at Indiana Grand.

Horses from Garcia’s barn won 59 races, 21 more than the second-place barn on the list. In all, earnings of $1.1 million were accumulated by the Garcia Racing Stable and they maintained a top three average of 52 percent throughout the 120-day meet. Garcia, who was born in Mexico, now moves into sixth place on the list of all-time leading trainers at Indiana Grand with 269 career wins at Indiana Grand.

“It was a great year, not just because I won my third title, but because I completed my 500th career win too, and that was very good,” said Garcia. “I would like to say thank you to all my owners that have become a part of this. And, I must thank my barn crew. They work very hard and are also a part of this.”

Garcia, who has a farm in Greenwood, Ind., is also working hard on a new project. He just purchased a farm on the southeast side of Indianapolis off I-465 so his operation in Indiana continues to grow.

Although some of the horses will get a break for the winter, Garcia will continue to race a portion of his stable at Turfway Park. When Oaklawn opens in January, he will send a string there, which will keep him busy until the track re-opens at Indiana Grand.

“I also want to thank Indiana Grand, because it is like my home,” added Garcia. “I feel so proud to compete with a lot of people that I admire. I think Indiana Grand is a great racetrack with good horses and good trainers.”

One of the good individuals that Garcia is surrounded by is Murphy, who has become a major part of the Garcia Stables over the past three seasons. Murphy, who owns and operates Murphy Trailer Sales in Crawfordsville and Backstretch Supplies with Garcia at Indiana Grand, teamed up once again this season for another leading owner title. Horses owned by Murphy and Southwest Racing Stables won 28 of 120 starts and earned in excess of $500,000. They have now won the majority of their 70 races over the past three years of competition at Indiana Grand with 97 career wins and more than $1.8 million in purse earnings since forming their partnership in 2012.

“I feel very blessed,” said Murphy. “We have great horses and a great barn with Genaro (Garcia) and his staff. All the horsemen did a great job this year and we are just very blessed to be in this position again.”

Garcia and Murphy were presented with the Leading Trainer and Leading Owner award during the final afternoon of racing Wednesday, Nov. 6. Jon Schuster, vice president and general manager, and Kevin Greely, director of racing, made the winner’s circle presentation.

“It is a privilege to have both of you (Garcia and Murphy) in the Indiana program,” said Schuster. “And, once again, your stable has really risen to the top. The stable ran a lot of horses here again this year and we really appreciate your support of the racing program. We have a lot of great people that race in Indiana, and you are part of that group.