About Us

Rick Taylor is a 3rd generation Thoroughbred owner, trainer, and breeder.  Raised in the Pacific Northwest he attended Washington State University where he obtained a Bachelor of Science Degree in Animal Biology.

Rick had worked for his family during the summers at Longacres and Playfair racetracks as a groom and then assistant trainer.  After graduating from WSU he was hired as the Executive Secretary for the Oregon Thoroughbred Breeders Association.  While in Oregon, Rick helped establish the OTBA Annual Thoroughbred Auction, The Oregon Horse Magazine and was instrumental in getting two breeders incentive awards through the Oregon legislature.

Yearning to be more directly associated with the horses, Rick went back to farm management starting the very successful Northwest Farm now named Jones Farm in Maple Valley, Washington.  Later, moving to California with his wife Kathy, Rick was hired by trainer Wallace Dollase to run Rio Vista Rancho.  Rio Vista Rancho was then later purchased by Jheri Redding who had earned fame in the hair care business.  Rick ran Rio Vista Rancho for 7 1/2 years where the highly successful sire Smokester got his start.

Rick then accepted a position of Farm Manager, and then General Manager of John and Betty Mabee’s Golden Eagle Farm where he managed all aspects of the day to day operations.  During Rick’s employment as General Manager, Golden Eagle Farm was awarded two Eclipse Awards as Leading Breeders in the Nation and were listed among the Top 5 Owners every year.  Two stallions came into prominence during Rick’s career at Golden Eagle; they were General Meeting and Avenue of Flags.

In 1999 Rick stepped out on his own and established Special T Thoroughbreds, Inc.  Rick is now considered by many to be one of the top all-around horsemen nationwide.