Post Time for Zetcher
So what do you do after you retire as chairman/president/CEO of a women’s apparel company after 20 years, logging a total of 45 years in the retail industry?
Just ask Arnold Zetcher, who retired as president/CEO of women’s apparel cataloger/retailer The Talbots in Sept. 2007 and as chairman of the board in March 2008. A lifelong horse racing fan, Zetcher has become one of the more notable owners/breeders in thoroughbred racing in a very short time.
In June, the 69-year-old Zetcher was in attendance on Belmont Stakes Day at Belmont Park and watched his 3-year-old filly, Gabby’s Golden Gal, upset the field in the Grade 1 Acorn Stakes at odds of 13-1. The victory for Zetcher was extra special because Gabby Golden Gal’s mother, Gabriellina Giof, was the first horse to ever win a race for him.
More recently, Zetcher pulled off another major upset when his 4-year-old colt, Richard’s Kid, rallied to win the $1 million Pacific Classic at Del Mar at odds of 24-1. With the victory, Richard’s Kid has Zetcher and Hall of Fame trainer Bob Baffert thinking Breeders’ Cup.
Before Zetcher took over The Talbots, he worked at companies such as Federated Stores in Cincinnati, Bonwit Teller in New York City, Kohl’s Food stores in Wisconsin and Illinois, and John Breuner Co. in San Francisco. In 2002, Zetcher received the National Retail Federation’s 2002 Gold Medal, the industry’s highest honor.
Since Zetcher’s departure, troubled Talbots sold J. Jill earlier this year to focus on its core brand.
Zetcher began owning horses in 2000 with Hall of Fame trainer Ron McAnally. Since then, he has entered the breeding industry as well.
If that isn’t enough, Zetcher is the driving force behind a committee called the Thoroughbred Racing Association of California. This group is attempting to buy Santa Anita Park in Arcadia, CA, since the track’s owner – Magna Entertainment Corp. – filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in March.
While retirement may slow down life for some people, Zetcher is very happy watching many of his fast horses win big races around the country.
