The Belmont Equine Story -
A passion for horses, nutrition & peak performance
Training and keeping competition horses in 'top form' has been Dr. Richard McCormick's life long passion. Not surprising really coming from a line of highly respected & successful horse men & women.
His father, legendary trainer Dick McCormick's own story began aboard The Tetrarch. As a thoroughbred trainer in the UK & Ireland, Dick knew the importance of nutrition to success. Indeed, Steve Donoghue, 10 times Champion Jockey wrote 'he knows more about feeding horses than any man in the country'.
Early ambitions -
Despite a memorable win at Laytown in 1963 aboard LE VOLEUR, with Richard as Jockey. his father Dick McCormick as trainer & mother Una as owner, Richard became too tall to continue as a jockey. Instead, Richard qualified as a Veterinarian from University College Dublin (1968) and headed to the USA to intern at the renowned Veterinary Practice of Dr William O. Reed, Belmont Park, New York and Hialeah Park, Florida. Later that year, Richard became responsible for the daily management of 300 mares and 7 stallions (including 1968 Horse of The Year, Dr Fager) at Tartan Farms.
Like father, like son -
On his return to Ireland in 1970, Dr McCormick began a successful time as a Licensed Racehorse Trainer at the Curragh, Co. Kildare. Dr McCormick purchased and trained some notable horses including
Folk Hero (1979 - 5 wins including Irish Lincolnshire, The Curragh)
Afrique (1975 - 2 wins including Maher Nursery, Phoenix Park)
Aristocracy (1975 - 3 wins including Group 3 Whitehall Stakes, Phoenix Parks)
Balidaress (1974 – 3 wins). Dam of Desirable (Cheveley Park Group 1 winner 1983) and Park Appeal (Chevely Park Group 1 winner 1984). Subsequently legendary brood mare and ancestress of Cape Cross, Iffraaj, Alydaress, Russian Rhythm in Australia.
Willy Willy (1972- 7 wins including Doncaster Stakes & Champion Sprinter Ireland & UK in 1975)
Hardboy (1971 - 6 wins including Galway Hurdle, Carroll’s Hurdle, Dundalk and Ireland’s representative in Colonial Cup, Camden, South Carolina in 1972)
1982 brought Dr. McCormick to the USA again to Clermont Farms, Germantown, New York when he was hired directly by the owner, German Industrialist, Dr Herbert Schnapka, Richard was responsible for the daily management of 300 mares, six stallions and 50 racehorses-in-training.
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Scientific expertise & practical experience -
Back in Ireland from the late 80’s until 2000, Dr McCormick ran a mixed veterinary practice in Co Meath and started Belmont Equine Products developing patented equine dietary supplements to maximize equine health and performance. A career highlight as private stable veterinarian to HRH Prince Abdulaziz bin Fahd racing stables, Saudi Arabia in 2000 gave Richard the opportunity to further his research culminating in the development of a patented vitamin/mineral/amino acid supplement for use in oat based equine diets called Champion Oat Balancer®.
A life-long commitment to equines -
Dr. McCormick continues to practice as an equine focused veterinarian (duel licensed in USA & Ireland/the UK). His passion in supporting animals through balanced and optimal nutrition is central to his work. He is passionate about 'wholefoods' having seen the benefits in both animals & their humans.
Richard is a founding member of the Claiming Races Association of Ireland and is active in supporting claiming races across the country.
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