15 minute read
VALERIE DAILEY
By CYNTHIA MCFARLAND A Florida farm and business owner, thoroughbred breeder and owner, Valerie Dailey's love for land and animals has been a motivating force stretching all the way back to childhood.
For this West Virginia native, horse fever hit at a young age and never left.
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“My best friend in kindergarten had a pony, so I went home and told my mom and dad that I wanted one. They said if I made straight As I could have a pony, so that was my impetus,” says Dailey, smiling at the memory.
Dailey earned the grades and got the pony. After her family relocated to Sarasota when she was in third grade, they bought a couple horses and Dailey got involved in 4-H. “Lynn Palm's mom was my 4-H agent at the time,” Dailey recalls. Those 4-H shows lead to her competing in American Quarter Horse Association shows where Dailey entered all-around western classes.
Dailey attended the University of Florida where she earned her Bachelor of Science in Food and Resource Economics and her Masters in Agricultural Operations Management. While in college, Dailey was teaching at the state's two 4-H horse camps, which, at the time were located in the Panhandle and near Palatka. Marion County became home in the early 1980s, thanks to Dailey's first job after graduation.
“This was back in the days when desktop computers were just coming on the market and two of my friends from the Animal Science Department decided to open a computer store, Valcom Computers, and asked me to sell horse-related software,” recalls Dailey. “It was 1984 and people didn't really want to trust computers and put their data there, plus they didn't know how to operate them. So instead of selling software, I ended up teaching people how to operate the computers they were purchasing. I did that for a year until the University of Florida called and asked me to manage their computer teaching labs for the College of Agriculture.”
Dailey would continue working in the information technology sector for nearly two decades. Her career might have been IT, but outside the office, she was still happily involved with horses, owning a few quarter horses, offering boarding services and teaching lessons. FLORIDA FAMILY
She and Hugh Dailey, president of Community Bank & Trust of Florida (now Mid Florida Credit Union), married in 1992, and daughter, Samantha, was born three years later. The family established their 3D Farm (named for the three Daileys), in Anthony. “When I married Hugh, he said if I was going to make money in the horse business, I needed to quit giving lessons and get into the thoroughbred business,” relates Dailey. “He hooked me up with Francis and Barbara Vanlangendonck in the early 1990s. Together, we bought two mares in foal at OBS for $600 and $800, and I've stayed in the business ever since, breeding to sell as weanlings or yearlings (typically at OBS), and on occasion taking one to a two-year-old sale.”
Today, Dailey maintains a small broodmare band of three to five mares. Unlike the early years, however, she's now too busy currently to manage all their care at the family's own farm, so the mares are boarded out.
Among the standout runners Dailey has bred are Breeders' Cup qualifier Yankee Injunuity (bred with Kelli Charles), a multiple stakes winner of $519,738; and Lady Brook, a stakes winner of $115,652.
3D Farm is also currently home to a herd of Angus and Angus-cross cattle, something that has been a focus for daughter Samantha for years.
Off the farm, Dailey and her family feel right at home on Florida's waterways and have long enjoyed boating, fishing, lobstering and just spending time on the water. This passion prompted her to become part owner of Crevalle Boats, a premium boat manufacturer located in Wildwood. Valerie Dailey’s roots run deep in the rich soil of Marion County where agriculture is a proud way of life for many
“We built our 500th boat this year,” says Dailey of the 24- to 33-foot fishing boats that are in demand offshore and around the bay.
“We're on the water as much as we can be. We have a house in Crystal River we just built, so we're hoping to spend more time there,” says Dailey. “Farm life and life on the water are a good combination.” NEW VENTURES
Again, it was her husband's business savvy nudging that inspired Dailey to leave her previous career behind.
“I'd been in the IT industry for 20 years and felt like I was on 24/7. Samantha was about 4-years-old and when I'd come home, she'd want to play, but I was stressed out and realized I needed to change my situation,” Dailey said.
Hugh suggested she try real estate. Valerie studied, passed her state exam and became a state-licensed realtor in the fall of 2005. Within months, she'd sold her first property, working as a sales agent for Showcase Properties of Central Florida, Inc.
“Unfortunately, I got in it not long before the recession hit, but I learned a lot during that time period,” says Dailey.
One of the things she learned was that she'd definitely found her career niche. Dailey thrived on helping buyers find the right properties to call home. In 2013, she became the owner and broker of Showcase Properties of Central Florida, Inc., taking the company from seven agents at that time to 32 agents today, and rising to the forefront of the local real estate industry. While Showcase Properties specializes in the listing and selling of equestrian properties, the agency also handles residential, commercial, and vacant land/agricultural properties.
In 2017, the business updated its brand identity, refreshing the Showcase crest logo to more accurately represent the brokerage. A house symbolizes its residential listings; a horse stands for equestrian and agricultural properties, while a tree portrays vacant land listings, and in the final quadrant, a cityscape symbolizes the commercial property part of the business.
It was Dailey who came up with the company's slogan, “Love where you live,” and she also trademarked the phrase “Discover Ocala,” utilizing the Showcase website to give visitors an inviting and enlightening introduction to Ocala/Marion County.
“Buyers have better tools now than they used to and a lot of them are doing their own research about property,” says Dailey. As for Marion County horse property, Dailey says this is the strongest market we've seen in a long while.
“Inventory is down now for various reasons. People used to move every five to seven years, but now it's about every 13 years, so that limits inventory,” she explains.
“We're seeing more new construction. People are buying land now and building homes, something we haven't seen in a long time, but because there are fewer builders and tradesmen, it's taking longer and permits are harder to get,” notes Dailey, adding that demand has also increased for larger parcels of land. “In the past people were looking for three to six acres. For the longest time we couldn’t sell anything over 20 acres, but people are looking for bigger places now. This year we're seeing people looking for property over 40 acres.”
Dailey is proud of the fact that many of the agents at Showcase Properties are locals or have lived in this area for many years. “We really do love where we live and you need to know the people in the place where you live,” Dailey said. “We know Marion County and the horse industry and we support it. Several of us are active in the thoroughbred market and have fingers in different aspects of it.”
Dailey feels fortunate to have assisted in representing the sellers of Bridlewood Farm and Padua Stables, two of the largest and iconic horse farms to sell in recent years. CHANGE & GROWTH
Marion County's horse scene has evolved and Dailey has had a front seat to that growth and change, both as a realtor and through her involvement in the thoroughbred industry. She believes the local horse outlook will continue to expand and evolve with the opening of the World Equestrian Center as more and more sport horses come to call the county home.
“Until the World Equestrian Center, there was no draw for horse people from South Florida to move up here, but now that Roberts is building it, they're reconsidering and wanting to be here,” Dailey said.
“We cater to the horse industry, not just thoroughbreds, SERITA HULT PHOTOS
Valerie Dailey
and I think that has kept Marion County viable. Now we're seeing more eventers, carriage drivers, and others whose horses have needs that are somewhat different from thoroughbreds,” she notes. She also points out that while our area has long had two feed mills and three equine clinics that perform surgeries, now there are veterinarians who handle additional services, such as acupuncture, pulse therapy, and more, that are routinely used in the sport horse world.
Detractors who once referred to our town as “Slowcala” likely wouldn't recognize it now. “When Anthony has a roundabout, you know we’re no longer considered a small town,” smiles Dailey.
Dailey has long worked to protect the property rights of equestrians and farmers, and emphasizes that county officials and residents alike need to be cognizant of growth and how that will affect our road situation. Like many farm owners, she has concerns about the proposed “coastal connector” highway.
“The toll road is going to happen; it's just a matter of where,” she notes. “I don’t think they're going to put it through any of our big iconic horse farms, but we need to have a seat at the table and be involved with the people who are making the decisions so we can protect Marion County.”
COMMUNITY COMMITMENT
Dailey is dedicated to supporting causes she is passionate about—both in and outside the horse industry.
Through her real estate career, as well as her involvement with various boards and charities here in Marion County, Dailey has developed a unique and wide-ranging network of business, government, and community contacts. She serves on the State of Florida 4-H Foundation board, has served as a director with the Ocala/Marion County Economic Development Council, and also as president of the Ocala/Marion County Association of Realtors ® . For several years she was part of the adjunct faculty for Central Florida Community College Equine Program.
Dailey, who currently serves as a Florida Realtor’s Director, has been recognized with the Distinguished Realtor Service Award and was recognized as 2018 Realtor of the Year by the Ocala/Marion County Association of Realtors ® . In 2019, she was awarded Entrepreneur of the Year by the Ocala Women’s Council. “ It's been an honor to serve on the FTBOA board and I appreciate the opportunity to represent the small breeder. ” —Valerie Dailey
GOLF TOURNAMENT CHARITY SUCCESS
One of the ways Dailey gives back to the community she calls home is by serving on the Florida Thoroughbred Breeders' and Owners' Association (FTBOA) board. She is currently in her second term.
“It's been an honor to serve on the FTBOA board and I appreciate the opportunity to represent the small breeder,” says Dailey. “Being on the board keeps me current. It's been very eye-opening. I never knew how complicated the industry was. I've learned a ton and still have more to learn. For example, I now understand how purse structures are put together, where those monies come from and so forth,” says Dailey. “I've been part of the industry for many years, but now I can see the whole process, not just breeding and bringing horses to the sales. I feel like I have more of an insider perspective.”
In addition to serving on the board, Dailey has been a chair for three years and is currently FTBOA Social, Events and Charity committee chair. She was excited for her role in this capacity when it came to the annual golf tournament, sponsored by Florida Thoroughbred Charities. As a subsidiary of FTBOA, Florida Thoroughbred Charities is the “charitable arm” of the association and fully funds the Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation's Second Chances Farm at Lowell Correctional Institute, as well as a number of student scholarships. While there are several TRF programs at state correctional facilities across the country, the farm at Lowell Correctional Institute was the first for female inmates. Women who participate in the vocational training program work with retired thoroughbreds to gain knowledge and experience that can help them obtain work in the horse industry upon release, as well as learn invaluable lessons in responsibility and trust.
“We had a great group of people who all pulled together to put on a successful tournament. I couldn't do it without the help of everyone else,” says Dailey of the Bogey Bash Dinner Dance and Charity Golf Tournament, which was held Oct. 4, 2019, at Ocala National at Golden Hills Country Club.
We had a dinner at night with a band and silent auction,” says Dailey of the event which saw 35 teams compete in the tournament and over 215 people attend the dinner dance.
Most importantly, the event raised $37,000 for the TRF Second Chances Farm.
“This is more money than we'd ever raised before for the farm, which is the only program of its kind for women in the United States. All the horses there are retired thoroughbreds and it costs a lot to keep them. The program is currently full with 50 horses," Dailey said.
The event also honored multiple graded-stakes-winner and turf specialist Carterista (102-27-13-13, $753,599), who passed on Sept. 16, at the age of 30. The first retired thoroughbred to arrive at the TRF Second Chances Farm at the Lowell Correctional Institute, Carterista was a beloved resident there for nearly two decades. ■
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Florida... the best state for business Breed, Own & Race Florida-breds No tax on stallion seasons No personal state income tax No individual capital gains tax National leader in veterinary and equine research Ranks second in the U.S. for number of thoroughbred horses Feed and animal health items, along with other specific items, are also exempt Horses are exempt from sales tax when purchased from their original breeder Florida’s greenbelt exemption provides property tax breaks for Florida horse farms Physical climate allows for year-round training, racing, showing and business opportunities
FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE AND CONSUMER SERVICES Nicole “Nikki” Fried, Commissioner For Information: Jacqueline Basha, Division of Marketing and Development (850) 617-7286 – Direct Line • Jacqueline.Basha@FDACS.gov www.FDACS.gov
* All terms of Florida Sire Stakes (FSS) races, including the number of races, purse levels, race conditions, racing dates, and the host track, may change from year to year and may change at any point after the FSS racing schedule for a particular year is announced. * *Pending state approval
Breed, Own & Race Florida-breds
State Economic Impact $11.7 billion economic impact
Third largest state in horse population
113,079 jobs
717,000 acres
$1 billion in thoroughbred sales (OBS 2010-18)
FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE AND CONSUMER SERVICES Nicole “Nikki” Fried, Commissioner For Information: Jacqueline Basha, Division of Marketing and Development (850) 617-7286 – Direct Line • Jacqueline.Basha@FDACS.gov www.FDACS.gov
For more information go to www.ftboa.com or e-mail floridasirestakes@ftboa.com
FLORIDA THOROUGHBRED BREEDERS’ AND OWNERS’ ASSOCIATION Lonny Powell, CEO Tammy A. Gantt, Associate Vice President Membership Services & Events 352-629-2160 • Fax: 352-629-3603 • 801 SW 60th Ave. • Ocala, FL 34474 www.ftboa.com • info@ftboa.com www.facebook.com/thefloridahorse
