TDN Weekend December 2016 Issue 9
Issue link: http://www.e-digitaleditions.com/i/816510
there in person. "The sound, the power, the aesthetics, the voice of the crowd. It is so much better in person than on TV." When asked to close the interview by giving some feedback to the racing in- dustry about what it could be doing bet- ter to attract new owners, Chu seemed momentarily flummoxed. After all, the Chus are a couple that pursued their dreams and goals with a unique focus and intensity that was not predicated on other people extending incentives and motivations to them. Charles built a technology company from scratch and had a highly driven vision about bring- ing it to America. Once in the U.S., Susan found a way to connect with a multiple Derby-winning trainer even though at first she had trouble getting people in the industry to return her phone calls. "I can tell—people, they really love horses," Chu said after pausing to give the question some thought. "But they may not be able, financially, to become horse owners. I think that's fine. You don't need to become a whole owner, you can even get involved in a smaller partnership to just enjoy it. I would think if people really want to get involved in this sport, they should go out and search and learn as much as they can on their own, and get a feeling for what goes on. I think the key is to just encourage peo- ple to go and watch the races live—and then I'm sure the industry will get more people like Charlie and Susan Chu."