SHELBYVILLE, Ind. (Wednesday, Nov. 23, 2022) – It’s been another solid season for the partnership of Roger Spiess’ Spiess Stable and Randy Klopp. The duo scored 31 wins and brought in purse earnings just shy of the $1 million mark to earn their second consecutive title for Leading Thoroughbred Owner at Horseshoe Indianapolis. The earnings tally of $979,041 for 2022 sets a new record for most purse earnings recorded by an owner of either breed in track history.
Spiess, a retired veterinarian from Swanton, Ohio, and Klopp have had a strong partnership for the past 20 years. The duo has moved their way up into third place on the list of all-time leading owners in the record books with 180 career wins and more than $4 million in purse earnings. Some of the top horses for them in 2022 include Latigo, winner of five races, including the $250,000 Governor’s Stakes, Music to my Ears, winner of four races over the 127-day meet, and Ferdan, who scored his third win of the meet during closing week. Spiess, who is hands on in the selection process of purchasing racehorses and yearlings with Klopp, cited Latigo as his favorite horse this year.
“I’d have to say winning the $250,000 stakes (with Latigo) was the highlight of the year for us,” said Spiess, who is a graduate of The Ohio State University College of Veterinary Medicine. “It’s been a really great year and Randy and his crew do an outstanding job.”
Klopp also cited the win with Latigo in the Governor’s Stakes as the highlight of the meet for him. He noted the great partnership he’s had with Spiess for more than two decades. Spiess actually picked Latigo out of the Keeneland January All Ages Sale in 2020 when he had just turned into a yearling, purchasing the Indiana bred Jimmy Creed gelding for $8,000. He now has more than $260,000 on his card.
“Roger spends a lot of money and does a great job picking out horses,” added Klopp. “We currently have between 40 and 50 horses in our barn and have several yearlings to start with.”
Klopp and Spiess already have a lot to look forward to next season. Klopp has 20 yearlings to break and a lot of those are in partnership with Spiess. Klopp owns a farm in nearby Rushville, Ind. and stays at Horseshoe Indianapolis over the winter months, which has proven beneficial for the stable to be ready to go when racing resumes in the spring.
Overall, Klopp and Spiess partnered up for a 19 percent win clip and a top three percentage of 59.
Eric Halstrom, Vice President and General Manager of Racing, made the winner’s circle presentation to Spiess and Klopp and Spiess’ wife, Darla, during the final day of racing for 2022 at Horseshoe Indianapolis.
Photo by Coady Photography: From left, Rachel McLaughlin, Darla Spiess, Roger Spiess, Randy Klopp and Eric Halstrom.
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