By: Josie Goldberg
Newport Beach, California (The Hollywood Times) 04/03/2024
Thoroughbred racing has paved the way for many people in our world. It has also given many a new chance in life. I have been watching my peers from the entertainment industry who have had some mental breakdowns with the instability of our entertainment industry. I have also been very close to breaking down myself, but the one thing that saved me was thoroughbred racing and its EXCLUSIVE MEMBERS as some would say “The Good Old Boys Club”. In addition, being grandfathered to well-bred 2-year-old thoroughbred’s fillies at 29 years old. When the Turf Club at Santa Anita Park was private and running it was really a billionaire’s club. The members were very prominent from all over the world and had old-fashioned values and manners. I must say many handsome gentlemen. Not only did the thoroughbreds push me forward in my life but also the members of the Turf Club that I met and befriended. I learned so much from these powerhouse men, but most of all when I was broken myself and I really could not see the light at the end of the tunnel, they gave me the wisdom, strength, and moral support to push through my growing pains and make a great life for myself. I can’t share all my secrets, but I will share some.
Hallandale Beach, Florida
While on vacation in Miami in 2011, I went to Gulfstream Park (Racetrack), which had the same owner as Santa Anita at the time. His name is Frank Stronach and I had a chance encounter with him.
He is the founder of Magna International, an international automotive parts company based in Aurora, Ontario, Canada, Granite Real Estate, and the Stronach Group. With an estimated net worth of $CAD 3.06 billion (as of December 2017), Stronach was ranked by Canadian Business as the 31st richest Canadian.
I ended up being introduced to Mr. Stronach and I asked him for a job. I have never met a billionaire and when would I ever? I asked him if I could brand with the racetrack with some billboards of me and my brand Spoiled and Entitled. I also told him I’m currently on a series (Spoiled and Entitled) for Dr. Phil on CBS and it’s quite the most popular show on tv. I told him I owned three horses at Santa Anita but none of them had won yet as they were just in training. He ended up inviting me to dinner for my interview but first wanted to show me something. That something was the whole property of Gulfstream Park in Hallandale Beach, Florida. We drove by every store and restaurant as he was telling me that this racetrack is designed as a mixed used project. This was his jewel of all his racetracks across the world. He owned many. I said that can’t be Mr. Stronach, with all due respect isn’t Santa Anita currently your jewel and has been the premier track for over 75 years. He told me that would all change in the decade. He told me he sees this vision. I was just being respectful, but I could never imagine this. That was for an hour and my head was spinning. I was not yet a real estate agent or broker yet. I was just in reality tv and playboy la la land. Then he told me about his farm Adena Springs and how they have the best grass-fed beef one will ever taste and talked about that business. I was overwhelmed, I was like man I’ll stick with millionaires, I thought I was sharp, but this man was business brilliant savvy. Honestly, I could barely keep up, my head started to hurt, and I was ready for drinks and fine dining. He told me about his championship racehorse, his company Magna Auto Parts, his friendship with Vladimir Putin, Donald Trump, and his political career in Austria. He was not only smart but also very handsome at his 80 years of age. Blonde hair, blue eyes and very fit. A stud for sure. He told me he swam every morning for 1 hour to keep in shape and eats fish daily with some white wine.
We had an amazing dinner and discussed a job opportunity. To be honest I could tell I had failed, but Mr. Stronach drove me back to my hotel in South Beach which was an hour from his Penthouse in Sunny Isles, Florida. The most ironic part was when he dropped me off, he pulled out his checkbook and asked me if I needed anything from him. I told him that he is my friend, and I am thankful for the dinner, conversation, and hope to one day have a job with his company.
I never got a job with Frank, but I became good friends with him. I was able to do extremely well at his racetracks and make history for many years. Might I add that I was treated like a Queen while I was at Santa Anita from 2011-2019. There were times when my romances unraveled and some of my exes tried to show their power by threatening to wipe me out of business and or the track, and they were wealthy and powerful. Frank Stronach always did what was right and gave me protection. At the end of the day, he was the Boss and really was a fair man. I was able to develop my racehorses and build my business from the bottom up for myself. In addition, I was living my best life, and I enjoyed every minute of the golden days at Santa Anita Turf Club.
In 2019 I realized that Frank Stronach was no longer in charge anymore, the opposite. There was a succession going on in his family between his daughter and him. Very similar to the popular HBO show Succession, unfortunately, I got caught in the middle and I took Franks side as I was loyal to a man who protected me and taught me so much. Before I knew it my relationship ended with Santa Anita and his daughter Belinda Stronach who was the new owner. Like famous Chic Anderson would say at the mic in the 70’s when he was calling the races go pick up The Story of Santa Anita Well let’s just say this was my story of Santa Anita.
Before I left Santa Anita, I saw that Frank Stronach’s predictions came to light. His daughter Belinda Stronach created the “The Pick 6 from Coast to Coast” and I thought how brilliant. Since racehorses, stables, owners, betting pools are all merging and going bicoastal than I am your Real Estate Broker “Josie Goldberg” from Coast to Coast.
I partnered with Claude Salle Owner of SOFI REALTY. The main reason is because he is honest, transparent and knows how to pick areas that are about to become the next hot spot. I have been friends with Claude for over 14 years and his own real estate investments have proved this. I also like that he works with clients of various incomes & wealth. He says that South Florida is one of the premiere markets because there is a place for each budget, and all will and can enjoy the Florida beaches and sun.
Mr. Salle speaks English, French and Spanish. I speak Russian, so we can communicate with most!
Just like the Stronach Pix Six from Coast to Coast, I am Josie Goldberg your real estate Broker from “Coast to Coast.”
I am “Only Josie Knows” and just remember…Location, Location, Location.
