Hollywood and Horsepower Show, March 19, 2026

Hollywood And Horsepower Show with Mark Otto Guest, Harris Auerbach The Legacy of Unusual Heat and the Evolution of Equine Aftercare Hollywood & Horsepower: Auerbach Stables The Story of Unusual Heat, California Royalty, and the Evolution of Horse Aftercare Podcast Abstract The Legacy Timeline 1977: The $8,000 Spark Family patriarch claims Bravo Bravo. A furniture manufacturing background (Hippopotamus) funds the initial "itch" for racing. 1996: Claiming a Legend Claimed Unusual Heat for $80,000. Despite injuries, the stallion became the #1 sire in California, producing 10 winners from his first 11 starters. 2007: The Aftercare Revolution Madeline Auerbach founds KARMA. Introduced the 0.33% opt-out funding model, raising over $10M for retired thoroughbreds. "Madeline is the matriarch of aftercare funding; Michael Blowen is the patriarch of aftercare facilities. Together, they made it fashionable to do right by the horse." Stallion Spotlight Unusual Heat 6x Leading Sire in CA Acclamation: Champion Older Horse Unusual Suspect: Grade 1 Winner Legacy: Elite Broodmare Sire Key Insights #Aftercare#Breeding#CA-to-KY#Thoroughbreds#KARMA Strategic Shift: Auerbach Stables moved operations to Kentucky (Valkyrie Stud) due to CA's racing contraction and KY's healthier breeding ecosystem. Guest: Harris Auerbach | Host: Marc (Hollywood Horsepower) ⏱ Read Time: 8 min This episode of Hollywood and Horsepower features Harris Auerbach of Auerbach Stables, detailing his family’s journey from the furniture business to becoming California racing royalty. The discussion centers on the legendary stallion Unusual Heat, the strategic shift of their operations to Kentucky, and the pioneering work of Madelyn Auerbach in establishing sustainable funding for retired racehorses. From Furniture to the Winner's Circle The Auerbach family’s entry into horse racing was unconventional. Harris’s father, a Brooklyn native who grew up watching races at Aqueduct, eventually founded a successful furniture manufacturing company in Los Angeles called "Hippopotamus". In 1977, he claimed his first horse, Bravo Bravo, for $8,000 after promising his wife he would only do so if he could fund the purchase through his wagering winnings. The horse won its next start at a higher level, and the family never looked back, eventually growing their stable to over 100 horses. The Phenomenon of Unusual Heat The trajectory of Auerbach Stables was forever changed by Unusual Heat. Claimed for $80,000 by trainer Barry Abrams, the horse suffered a career-ending injury shortly after. Despite initial difficulties in finding a stud career due to regulatory quirks, he was eventually stood at a small farm in the Inland Empire. His first crop produced unprecedented results: out of 11 horses that made it to the races, 10 won their first start. Unusual Heat went on to become a six-time leading sire in California, known for "moving up" lesser-quality mares and producing versatile champions like Acclamation and Unusual Suspect. The Unusual Heat Legacy 91% First-Crop Debut Win Rate 6x Leading Sire in California 5 Grade 1 Winners as Broodmare Sire "A perfectly balanced horse who outcrossed with everything." Strategic Migration and Industry Challenges As the California racing circuit began to contract in the late 2000s—reducing racing days and closing iconic venues like Hollywood Park and Bay Meadows—the Auerbachs made the difficult decision to move their breeding stock to Kentucky. Harris notes that Kentucky offered a healthier business model due to legislative support and alternative gaming revenue. Today, the family focuses exclusively on their broodmare band at Valkyrie Stud, having opted out of the high-risk farm ownership side of the business to "stay in their lane". Pioneering Equine Aftercare: KARMA and TAA One of the most significant contributions of the Auerbach family is the establishment of KARMA (Knights of the Round Table of Master Aftercare). Spurred by the retirement of their star horse Lenny from Malibu, Madelyn Auerbach recognized a lack of guidance for retiring racehorses. She championed an "opt-out" funding model where 0.33% of owners' purse earnings are automatically donated to retirement funds. This model raised nearly $10 million and served as the blueprint for the national Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance (TAA). The KARMA Funding Model A sustainable mechanism designed to support horses beyond the track: Automatic Contribution: 0.33% (one-third of 1%) deduction from owner purses. Placement Program: Direct assistance for owners and trainers to rehome retiring athletes. Grant Distribution: Funding doles out to vetted sanctuary and retraining facilities across California. Industry Impact: Served as the operational foundation for the national TAA. The Cultural Shift and the Future of Racing Harris and Mark reflect on the fading connection between Hollywood and the racetrack. While the mid-20th century saw stars like Bing Crosby and Desi Arnaz as fixtures at Santa Anita and Del Mar, modern racing has struggled to maintain that mainstream "cool" factor. Harris emphasizes that the industry’s survival depends on national collaboration and protecting critical hubs like Gulfstream Park in Florida, which serves as the primary training ground for 80% of the country's two-year-old thoroughbreds. Key Data Initial Claim: Bravo Bravo was claimed for $8,000 in 1977. Unusual Heat Claim: Purchased for 80,000(approx.80,000(approx.85,000 with tax). Aftercare Funding: KARMA has raised nearly $10 million for retired thoroughbreds since 2007. Stallion Longevity: Unusual Heat lived to age 27 and stood at stud until age 26. To-Do / Next Steps Follow Harris Auerbach on X (formerly Twitter) at the handle @unusualheat Visit or to learn more about the stable's history and current stockauerbachracing.comhorsepower.co Support equine aftercare by visiting orkarma4horses.orgoldfriendsequine.org Explore the "No Fallen Heroes" group for veterans' support through equine therapy. The story of the Auerbach family is a testament to the impact of a single "lightning in a bottle" horse and a commitment to the welfare of the animal. By prioritizing the horse's needs—both during and after their racing careers—the Auerbachs have not only built a lasting bloodline legacy but also created the financial infrastructure necessary to protect the sport's equine athletes for generations to come. Biography https://www.auerbachracing.com/harris Harris Auerbach is the Managing Partner of M.Auerbach, LLC. He is an owner/breeder  who manages the bloodstock, marketing, social media, historical data and farm coordination of approximately 50 horses in California and Kentucky. He himself is a Cal-bred born in 1969 in Van Nuys, CA and has been interested in thoroughbred racing since his childhood in the 1970s.