Phillip Calais, Sr.

Inducted into the LQHBA Hall of Fame in 2022

Quarter Horse trainer Phillip Calais, Sr., born in 1943, was a good neighbor and great friend to all who knew him until his death in 2012. Introduced to the horse racing industry as a teenager, he galloped horses, including Tru Tru and served as an assistant for mentors Junius Delahoussaye and C. Wade Navarre. Calais was a big part of the success of horses like A Toast To Junius and A Gone Mama. He went out on his own in the early 1970s.

Phillip trained many top Louisiana Quarter Horses including the great mare and multiple stakes winner Shufleen. Notable trainees included Windy Pana, a multiple futurity winner; Mardi Gras Futurity winner Cajun Bar Pass and Fast Hemp, who captured the Delta Downs Futurity and Delta Downs Derby.

He trained two graded stakes winners: Guidrys Pride, who captured the 1997 LQHBA Futurity and 1999 Louisiana Champions Day Classic champion Sixforbubba. Equibase statistics for Quarter Horses did not become available until 1991 and they show that Calais won 222 races with earnings of $1.2 million.

Calais was a devoted family man and he and his wife, Joyce, had four children: Sandra, Phillip, Jr., Casey and Bryan, who passed away in 2007.

"My father always loved horses," recalled Sandra. "He woke up every morning at 3:00 am, turned on the lights and checked each one of the horses before he fed them. I remember how he was always willing to help his fellow horsemen. They would haul a horse over to our farm and daddy would look them over and offer some suggestions. A lot of times it paid off."

He passed the torch to his son, Phillip Calais Jr. and many of his owners kept their horses with Phillip, Jr., known as "Boo".

"He had so many loyal owners and I was grateful that they stayed with me," said his son. "My dad was very honest with everyone and cared for each horse as an individual. He used to tell us not to fall in love with a horse, but I know that Shufleen had a special place in his heart. She made 56 starts (with a record of 16 wins;11 seconds and 11 thirds) and ran competitively in open company."

Youngest son Casey trained briefly in 2012 and 2013, but now has a full-time job as a supervisor in a chemical plant.

"I have wonderful memories of our afternoons at the bush tracks when we were growing up," said Casey. "My dad had a great work ethic and was fortunate to train for so many good people."

Phillip Calais, Sr. remained a very respected and familiar face in the Louisiana Horse Industry throughout his career. He showed respect to everyone he met and was always happy to lend a hand to others, without expecting anything in return.

"He was a hands-on horseman who worked hard and never complained about the long hours and sacrifices involved in horse racing," added Sandra. "We learned from an early age to be kind and to have compassion for others."

Calais passed away in 2012 after a courageous battle with pancreatic cancer and will be remembered fondly for his contribution to the Louisiana racing industry that spanned four decades.

In addition to his son Phillip, Jr., who trains on the Louisiana Quarter Horse circuit, family members who are involved in the industry include his daughter, Sandra Calais, who has been a part of the Evangeline Downs racing office for 17 years and grandson C.J. McMahon, a talented jockey currently riding Thoroughbreds at Delta Downs.