Gustafson having best season yet, extends reach to Fair Grounds

Trainer Austin Gustafson has had a breakout year, racking up the wins both professionally and personally in 2020.

He’s never had a better year at the track – and he’s a new husband and father.

“It’s been amazing,” he said. “It’s been really good.”

Gustafson, 28, has won 45 races from 187 starts this year, for a 24 percent win rate. His starters have earned $774,703 through Monday. The numbers eclipse his previous best year of 21 wins and stable earnings of $351,820, both achieved in 2019.

“The last year, year and a half, we’ve worked really hard to get better horses and enter them in the right spots,” Gustafson said.

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Gustafson won the first race of his career in 2012 at Will Rogers Downs. He is currently based at Remington Park, where through Monday he ranked third in the standings behind leader Steve Asmussen and runner-up Karl Broberg.

Gustafson also has a division of horses at Fair Grounds. He has a stable at the New Orleans track for the first time, with 22 stalls. Gustafson will additionally be setting up a 32-horse division at Sam Houston following the close of the Remington meet on Dec. 20.

“We’re growing very quickly,” he said.

Gustafson is a native of Omaha, Neb., who grew up in racing. He is the son of retired trainer Ricky Gustafson.

“My dad trained horses for 35 years and he retired in 2009,” Gustafson said. “I’ve been training ever since I graduated high school.”

Gustafson spent some time working as an assistant to trainers Chris Hartman and Danny Pish. During his tenure with Pish, he spent a few seasons at Fair Grounds.

Gustafson and his wife, Meagan, were married earlier this year. They have a son, River Patrick, and the life changes have made an impact on Gustafson.

“Nothing makes you work harder than being a father, I don’t think,” he said.

Gustafson said he also gives a lot of credit for the barn’s success to Meagan.

“I think we always had the tools, just hadn’t been able to put it together,” he said. “We’ve got a lot of really good employees and clients.”

His clients include Texas residents Michael and Linda Mazoch, who ranked as the third-leading owners at the Lone Star Park meet in which they went 12 for 33.

“Michael and Linda Mazoch have been a big part, too,” Gustafson said. “They stuck with me through thick and thin. I’m really happy for them. They deserve” the success.

Gustafson said the top young prospects in his barn include a pair of 2-year-olds for the Mazochs. Lucky Promise is a Lookin At Lucky colt and Onna Musha is a First Samurai filly. Both were bred in Texas.

“Both of these horses broke their maidens and both are stakes-placed,” Gustafson said. “I think both will have really good meets at Houston.”

The barn also is looking forward to next year’s crop of 2-year-olds – yearlings purchased earlier this year at Keeneland by new client Forge Ahead Stables. The group of six young horses includes colts by More Than Ready and Honor Code, and a filly by Tiznow.