Partnerships, Presented by Taylor Made Partnerships: Belladonna Racing - Belladonna TB

By Joe Scurto

Tuesday, January 23, 2024 at 10:31 am | Back to: Partnerships, Shared News Updated: January 24, 2024 at 7:52 am

Photo: Vahva | Coady

It is often espoused at business management seminars that having access to people smarter than you is a blessing and not a threat. We also know that having access to communities that share a common interest fosters social collaboration and belonging. But did you know having access to a guy affectionately nicknamed the “Italian Yoda” can lead to a graded stakes victory as a racehorse owner?

This type of access has been thoughtfully curated by the powerhouse team at Belladonna Racing Partnership, which includes Paul Manganaro (the Italian Yoda), David Ingordo, trainer Cherie DeVaux and recent addition Casey Klein. This team, along with their inaugural partners, launched Belladonna in 2019 with the purchase of over $1.5 million in 2-year-olds, who happened to all be fillies. Belladonna, which means “pretty woman” in Italian, set out in 2019 to foster a partnership approach that provides the opportunity to buy, race, and network at the highest levels of the Thoroughbred industry.

“We wanted to bring people into the industry, people who would enjoy the journey, learn, and share the experience with us,” said Manganaro.

The partnership calling card is simple.

“We want to provide action at a high level while also spreading the risk,” explained Ingordo. “We are all involved in each partnership group and thus have skin in the game. Providing hands-on concierge-level attention and opportunities is unique to Belladonna.”