“Ada Gates, The First Female Thoroughbred Farrier” –
Ada Gates was born into NY high society with a family tree dating back to 1700’s America. An unexpected trip
West led to an unexpected career as the only woman farrier for Thoroughbred racehorses. Ada’s talk and
PowerPoint highlights the adventures and fame of a career beyond her wildest dreams.
Experience:
Journeyman farrier at Santa Anita, Hollywood Park and Del Mar
First woman to pass the International Union Journeyman Horseshoer’s Exam, February 1978
Licensed by the State of California 1978 – current
Shod world champion Miesque for the 1987 Breeders’ Cup Mile, setting a Hollywood Park track record
which earned her the 1987 Eclipse Award for Outstanding Female Turf Horse
Shod Wild Again during his career in California and for the first Breeder’s Cup Classic which he won at
Hollywood Park in 1984.
Farrier for Chinook Pass, Eclipse Award Champion Sprinter at Santa Anita in 1983
Official Stand By Blacksmith for the 1987 Breeder’s Cup at Hollywood Park
Farrier for Monty Roberts, horse trainer, 1978 – 1990 Two-Year-Old in Training Sales, Hollywood Park
Official farrier to the Monty Roberts Online University and Farrier Director of the Monty Roberts
International Learning Center, Solvang, CA.
Featured Writer for The Blood Horse: Patching Quarter Cracks and The Thoroughbred Times: Solutions
for Hitting Horses.
Farrier Liaison for the 1984 Olympic Games, Los Angeles, in charge of all shoers for 300 horses from
33 countries.
Horseshoe Inspector Tournament of Roses Parade, Pasadena CA, 1998 – current
Recipient of the Edward Martin Humanitarian Award 2008, American Farrier’s Association
Inducted into the American Farrier’s Hall of Fame, 2011
President of the California Thoroughbred Foundation, a charitable association for racing and manager of
the Carleton F Burke Library’s history of racing in California
Owns and operates Harry Patton Horseshoeing Supplies, Monrovia, CA. Widow of Harry Patton, her
mentor.