'Mattress Mack' leaves Thoroughbred racing, citing integrity issues
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Colorful owner Jim “Mattress Mack” McIngvale, who campaigned Eclipse Award champion sprinter Runhappy, is exiting the Thoroughbred industry, citing what he sees as various integrity problems within the sport.
The exit of McIngvale, the owner of the Gallery Furniture chain in Houston, was first reported by The Blood-Horse. McIngvale later told the Thoroughbred Daily News that Runhappy, who has spent his career to date at Claiborne Farm, has been sold to stand in South Korea.
Runhappy does not yet appear on the Korean Stud Book’s page. His registration status is listed as “export pending” on The Jockey Club’s online interactive registry tools, and he no longer appears on Claiborne’s website.
According to Equibase statistics, McIngvale, who touted a “hay, oats, and water” philosophy with his stock and did not utilize Lasix in his later years in the sport, had his final starter in May 2024 at Churchill Downs.
Runhappy won four graded stakes in 2015 to earn his divisional championship, taking the Grade 1 King’s Bishop, Grade 3 Ogden Phoenix, the Breeders’ Cup Sprint, and the Grade 1 Malibu in succession. The day following the Sprint, McIngvale fired trainer Maria Borell – who later became embroiled in a horse-neglect case – and reappointed Laura Wohlers, who had trained the colt prior to his championship run. He made just two starts in 2016 and did not win again.
Runhappy retired to Claiborne for 2017 and was extensively promoted by McIngvale, 74, who sponsored races in the horse’s name and offered bonuses to his progeny for winning maiden races at certain tracks. The son of Super Saver is the sire of six crops of racing age, including current 2-year-olds, and has sired four graded stakes winners in the U.S.
Runhappy's top runners include 2023’s Grade 1 Hopeful Stakes winner Nutella Fella; millionaire Smile Happy, who won the Grade 2 Kentucky Jockey Club in 2021 and Grade 2 Alysheba in 2023; Grade 2 Vosburgh winner Following Sea, who finished on the board in four Grade 1 races in 2021, including a third in the Breeders’ Cup Sprint; Grade 2 Louisiana winner Happy American; multiple stakes-winning sprinter Happy Is a Choice; and Rotkee, a seven-time stakes-winning New York-bred.
In addition to Runhappy, McIngvale’s other top runners included During, who won the Grade 2 Jerome, Grade 2 Swaps, and Grade 3 Discovery in 2003, followed by the Grade 2 San Fernando in 2004; and Wimbledon, who won the Grade 2 Louisiana Derby in 2004.
McIngvale, known for his philanthropy in the Houston community and within the Thoroughbred industry, was also a major sports bettor and made major wagers on the Kentucky Derby, some tied to Gallery Furniture promotions. In addition to citing issues with drugs and medication within racing, he also pointed to the rise of computer-assisted wagering as what he sees as a major integrity issue within the game.
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