Gatsas Thoroughbreds

Owner(s): Mike and Ted Gatsas
Born: Michael Gatsas was born Oct. 5, 1952; Ted Gatsas was born May 22, 1950
Residence: Manchester, N.H., and Hampton Beach, N.H.
Family: Michael Gatsas: son Matthew (who manages Sovereign Stable for the family) and daughter Amanda; Ted Gatsas: wife Cassandra
Education: Ted Gatsas graduated from the University of New Hampshire
Professional Background: Brothers owned and operated Staffing Network for 25 years. In 1997, they sold the company to Automatic Data Processing ... Ted is a Republican state senator and minority leader. He was Senate President from 2005-2006. He also is an alderman in Manchester ... Michael is on the New Hampshire Pari-Mutuel Board
Racing Background: Grew up as fans going to the races at Rockingham Park. After selling Staffing Network, the two got into racing as a hobby, working with top New England trainer Charlie Assimakopoulos
Racing Career: They quickly found success with Shadow Caster and Gander, and expanded their operation beyond New England ... The two horses both ran in the 2000 Breeders' Cup at Churchill Downs. Gander, who was supplemented for $360,000, finished ninth in the Classic, while Shadow Caster was 13th in the Sprint ... Gander went from a $50,000 2-year-old to graded stakes winner, taking the 2001 Meadowlands Cup and placing in the 2000 Jockey Club Gold Cup, Woodward Stakes and Saratoga Cup Handicap ... He retired in 2005 as the third all-time leading New York-bred earner to Runnymeade Farm in New Hampshire ... Shadow Caster won the Forego Handicap in 2000 at Saratoga at odds of 50-1
Breeding/Racing Operation: Matthew Gatsas, son of Michael, started and operates Sovereign Stables, a syndication outfit that races their horses in New York with trainer John Terranova ... The family established a breeding operation with mares Charms Way, Magical Trick and Staffing's Song, boarding them at Rhapsody Farm in New York and Hill 'n' Dale in Lexington, Ky. ... Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Sprint contender Oprah Winney was the first foal out of Mere Presence, who failed to win in seven starts for Gatsas ... Her second foal, by Shadow Caster, also is a winner.