When Tomislav Mitrovski packed up his life and moved his family from their home in North Macedonia, a small country in the Balkans, to Lexington, Kentucky, he hoped to accomplish two things: become a Thoroughbred breeder and get a job in horse racing. After just three years, Mitrovski has already checked off that first goal by breeding 'TDN Rising Star' Color Comin' In. The second goal, however, has proven more elusive.
00:00Three years ago, Tomislav Mitrovsky packed up his life in North Macedonia and moved to
00:09Lexington, Kentucky. He came here with two goals, get a job in horse racing and become a thoroughbred
00:14breeder. Despite having no funding or family connection to lean on, Mitrovsky has already
00:19beaten the odds by breeding a legitimate racehorse. And while that villain may be on her way to
00:24stardom, Mitrovsky is still searching for his own big break.
00:30I'm an engineer of electronics, but the horses are my passions. I came in Kentucky especially
00:37because of the horses. If you love horses, this is the place to be. I was over 50 when
00:44I came here, so it wasn't easy, you know, you would just cut all your ties and just move,
00:51you know. My wife, she's an economist. I think it was hardest for her. Coming here in Kentucky
00:59was always a dream, so don't give up a dream.
01:05Not long after Mitrovsky arrived in Lexington, he teamed up with bloodstock agent Chad Schumer
01:10and bought his first broodmare for just $7,500.
01:12Sleepless Dixie, stakes placed by Dixie Union. Very nice looking, very strong, very correct.
01:28She was in fall to Rocky World. It was a filly. All legs, not really perfect at the front, but
01:38sweetest creature ever. We made the plan to send her to Florida to OBS October yelling sale. We got a small amount of money.
01:50I was disappointed with the outcome, and then I saw that she's entered in a very strong maiden race at Churchill Downs.
01:59And Blake's lead heading for the eighth pole.
02:01And I said, yeah, okay, hope she will run well.
02:04Has moved into second, but she will be second best to color coming in.
02:11It was a very emotional result. I was watching the race by myself alone at home.
02:16I called my wife and said, she won, you know.
02:20The first horse you ever bred is like a winner at Churchill Downs. It's really nice.
02:26But the next morning, reality set in for Mitrovsky when he was back on the sales floor at Dillard's, where he works as a sales associate in the women's shoe department.
02:35Despite sending his resume to 20 different farms hoping to fill any kind of office administration role, he hasn't had any offers yet.
02:44I was pretty focused to find a job in industry. When I came here, we were like almost a month in a hotel, you know.
02:55And it was a tricky situation, you know. You're trying to find a job and it's going very hard and after a few weeks we decided, well, we need to find something else.
03:09People and dealers gave me a chance. That was a good start for me. I mean, I don't know what to say.
03:16Maybe I don't have recommendations. I don't know. Maybe. Maybe it's, I don't know. I guess that's the reason. I don't know what to say.
03:25Nearly three years into his job at Dillard's, Mitrovsky is still searching for a job in racing while quietly chasing his dream as a breeder.
03:34Although he sold sleepless Dixie, he has a new mare who recently foaled a colt by Yaupon.
03:39Something I wanted to do all my life, you know. I never gave up on my dreams.
03:46Like with the first fill, you know. You have a good feeling with yourself.
03:51Satisfaction that you've done something right, you know.
03:55The only thing missing is to find a job in the industry.
03:59Sometimes plans don't come true, but yeah, if not from the first time, it's going to be the second.
04:06Just don't give up.
04:09It would make me pure.
04:14I mean, if enough, both slot behind some куда-to, then I will force back some more separately.
04:18bit遠less
04:19What's the thing?
04:20My home hopes has got great!
04:22The great
04:35The family checkر run out together between seven, seven, eight, seven and a half, one, eight.
