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Sarah Davidson and Amanda Buchanan-Hadley - Cousins, Capable Horsewomen and Close Friends - Special report by Martha Claussen

March 19, 2011 - Sam Houston Race Park embarked on a modified racing schedule in 2011. The year began with a shortened 26-day Thoroughbred season from January 21 through March 7 and transitioned directly into the live American Quarter Horse meet on March 11. This marked a major departure for the Houston track that traditionally had a several-month break between the two meets. To accommodate both breeds, Sam Houston assigned stalls to both Thoroughbred and Quarter Horse trainers when the track opened for training at the beginning of the year.

Two young women, who are cousins and proud supporters of Texas racing, have cherished a rare opportunity to spend three months together.

Amanda Buchanan-Hadley and Sarah Davidson have lived and breathed horse racing since they were born 24 years ago. Hadley is the daughter of Iris and John Buchanan. Sarah's mom is Iris' younger sister, Colleen Davidson. The Davidsons have been long supporters of Texas Thoroughbred racing, and John and Iris Buchanan have been nationally prominent in the Quarter horse industry.

“My parents met because of her mom and dad,” Davidson said.

“My Aunt Colleen, who is 10 years younger than Iris, used to travel from Florida to Ruidoso, and that's where she met Brent,” explains Hadley. “Colleen spent summers at Ruidoso with Iris and John and met Brent was she was 18. The rest is history.”

In addition to being the same age, there are many other ties that bind them. Both are extremely close to their parents and have learned the majority of their equine skills from their fathers. Davidson took over the Sam Houston string when Brent Davidson was given a 90-day suspension from the stewards at Lone Star Park. She readily admits that when in doubt, she will seek advice from the man who taught her everything.

Barn D at Sam Houston Race Park was home for both Davidson and Hadley from January through mid-March. Davidson's 32 Thoroughbreds included stakes horses, The Cat Who and Caloosahatchee, Come Slew Me, Lucky Raja and Stevil, who just joined the Davidson barn. The Kentucky-bred 6-year-old ran in the Preakness against Big Brown and is targeted to return to action at Lone Star Park.

The Quarter Horse meet kicked off on March 11, so Hadley's key emphasis was training the Buchanan 2-year-olds and experienced runners for their seasonal debuts. Dominyun, one of the top 2-year-olds in the country in 2010, was stabled at Sam Houston. Amanda dubs him “Tater.” Sarah gives her horses nicknames as well. Caloosahatchee is “Lucy.”

“It was the best time,” they both acknowledge. “We’ve been spoiled because even though we are close, we never get to spend that much time together.”

Davidson is proud mother to son, Emerson, who is 3 1/2 years old and loved seeing “Aunt Amanda” on a daily basis. Hadley married American Quarter Horse rider, Russel Hadley on Dec. 19, 2009. He made several trips to Louisiana and Oklahoma, but was able to enjoy “family time” with Amanda, Sarah and Emerson.

“I love that I married into a racing family,” said Russel, who hails from a large and close-knit family himself. “It was nice that Sarah and Amanda shared a barn in Houston. They both care a lot about their horses.”

Davidson had an impressive showing in the recently concluded Sam Houston Race Park Thoroughbred meet. She won 14 races to finish second in the standings to Karl Broberg. Her stats put her in front of Eclipse Award-winning trainer Steve Asmussen and Bret Calhoun, who won two Breeders' Cup stakes last November. Davidson got plenty of attention from fans and her fellow horsemen.

“Female and the youngest,” replied Davidson when asked about making history in pursuit of the Houston training title. “I don't want to jinx myself, but I hope things continue to go my way. That's horseracing; so many ups and downs. When it's good, you've got to take it.”

Watching Davidson's success has been so exciting for Hadley.

“Oh my gosh. When I read articles about her, I am just bawling while I am reading,” admitted Hadley.

Each follows each other on Equibase's Virtual Stable.

“When she won three races on Valentine's Day, I was so happy for her. It's no different than reading about my Dad or Russel,” adds Hadley.

Davidson remembers the big day last September for the Buchanan barn when Dominyun qualified for the prestigious All American Futurity. John, Iris and Amanda were all at Ruidoso Downs; Russel had the mount aboard the Mr Jess Perry colt, who ran his heart out, crossing the wire in :21.558, running third to Mr Piloto (:21.553) and runner-up, Jls Mr Bigtime (:21.556).

“I had to change my feed schedule to see the race,” said Davidson, who was running horses at Remington Park. “I was flabbergasted. If he didn't get creamed out of the gate, he was the winner. It was too close. I called Amanda and screamed. 'What in the world?’”

While the Buchanan family was proud of their horse, who was bred by their close friend, Texas horseman Bobby D. Cox, the reality was just 5 hundredths of a second separated them from the title.

“In Quarter Horse or Thoroughbred racing, losing by this much still hurts,” said Davidson. “You work so hard for it.”

Davidson will go onto Lone Star Park while Hadley divides her time between Houston and Remington Park. The cousins have enjoyed their rare three-month time together and know it will be a tough adjustment. Without a doubt, the two will maintain close contact with daily texts, calls and Facebook messages. However, both admit there is one upside to going their separate ways for now.

“We'll save money, for sure; not as many lunch and dinner dates,” said Hadley with a smile.

Without missing a beat, Davidson added, “And manicures pedicures and mall visits."