Report: Another New York-based trainer closing his barn

Trainer Gary Contessa, a veteran of 35 years who was among several New York-based conditioners investigated last year for labor law violations, is shuttering his stable as a result of the increasing cost of doing business.

According to Natalie Voss of Paulick Report, Contessa has already started the process of finding new trainers for the approximate 40 horses under his care. In addition to current labor laws, Contessa also cited the increased cost of workers’ compensation insurance and the added complexity of the federal visa program as catalysts for his retirement from training.

Contessa’s departure comes in the wake of a similar decision by fellow longtime New York-based trainer Kiaran McLaughlin, who also received fines from the Department of Labor, to disband his racing stable and become an agent for jockey Luis Saez. 

“I’ve had enough,” Contessa told the Paulick Report. “It's virtually impossible. Lots of people are going to continue to try, because that's what we have in our blood, but I've been doing this for 35 years and it's become increasingly impossible with the protocol put in place by the Department of Labor, among other things, to stay in business.”

Contessa said his stable should be completed dispersed by the end of the month and that assistant Amira Chichakly would receive a share to open her own stable. He said the only alternative to stay in business was to raise day rates or lower the care provided in order to cut expenses, neither of which he was willing to do. 

As for the next chapter, Contessa said he plans to pursue a job in track management or as a jockey agent.  

“There was a time when I was a 'super trainer' and I did very well," Contessa told the Paulick Report. "When you had the occasional owner who defaulted on you, you had the horses you got stuck with, you had Department of Labor audits, winning would overcome all of that stuff. But when you have a smaller stable — unless you do everything yourself — I don't see how you can do this.

According to Equibase, Contessa has saddled 2,363 winners in his career.