Dr Renan Colon

Haras del Húcar is the true story of vision, resilience, and excellence behind the creation of the first world-class Thoroughbred training center in Puerto Rico. Written by a Puerto Rican veterinarian trained at Belmont Park in New York, this memoir chronicles an extraordinary journey-from international racetracks to the construction of a groundbreaking training facility built to global standards.
Inspired by legendary mentors such as Dr. James Belden and Dr. Francisco Larrazábal of Venezuela's Haras San Francisco, the author set out to prove that excellence could be built at home. What follows is not just a story of horses and victories, but of discipline, engineering precision, and respect for the animal. The book details the design and construction of Haras del Húcar: sixty-four stalls, a six-furlong training track, a horse swimming pool, advanced drainage systems, and conditioning programs unseen in Puerto Rico at the time. The narrative also reveals the cost of ambition.
Financial hardship, institutional resistance, betrayal, solitude, and the devastation of Hurricane Georges test both the farm and the man behind it. As a single father, the author carries the weight of responsibility while fighting to protect his dream and his son's future. Despite the storms-literal and human-Haras del Húcar produces champions, earns international recognition, and becomes a benchmark for excellence in Caribbean horse racing. This book is a testament to perseverance, leadership, and the belief that true legacy is built through preparation, integrity, and endurance. For readers interested in memoir, horse racing, entrepreneurship, leadership, and overcoming adversity, Haras del Húcar is an unforgettable true story of vision realized against all odds.