Thomas M. Bush

Birthdate: January 9, 1951

Birthplace: Indianapolis, Ind.

Residence: Floral Park, N.Y.

Family: wife, Cathy

Tom Bush was interested in horses while growing up in suburban Indianapolis and went to work at Someday Farm in Ocala, Florida in 1970 after graduating from high school. The connection to Someday was provided by Bush’s uncle, William Barrett, whose best friend, Frank Myers, owned the farm. Bush graduated from junior college while working on the farm and moved to the racetrack at Hialeah Park in 1974 as a hotwalker for veteran trainer Cy Butler. After picking up some experience, Bush moved to New York, where he worked for Hall of Fame trainers H. Allen Jerkens, John Gaver Sr. and Angel Penna Sr. He opened his own stable in 1983 with a half-dozen horses.

The speedy turf horse Get Stormy is the most accomplished of Bush’s top runners. Sired by Stormy Atlantic, and bred and owned by Mary Sullivan’s Sullimar Stable, Get Stormy picked up his third Grade 1 victory in the 2012 Gulfstream Park Turf Handicap, and has earned more than $1.5 million. Bush also handled Banrock, who won seven stakes races for New York-breds and was the New York champion in two divisions.