History of Running B Farm

Running B Farm, as it’s known today, was purchased by Jim and Donna Burcham of Cedar Hill, Texas in 1987. Jim and Donna owned 3 acres with their home in Cedar Hill where they raised their kids and their pleasure horses.

Circa 1986 while still residing in Cedar Hill Jim and his oldest son Troy purchased the family’s first thoroughbred race horse, Blue Sky Ruler….

It became apparent almost immediately that more room for their new found passion would be required…. And so in preparation for a move to the Canton area, Donna transferred from Cedar Hill to the Canton post office as rural mail carrier. As God would have it, one day Donna found this property for sale while running her mail route.

I’m the Host of the Running B Farm, Ty Burcham, the youngest and most handsome son of Jim and Donna Burcham.

Running B Farm today consists of over 28 acres, 3 ponds, 2 barns, the farm house, several cats and 2 mares in the pasture named Oakley (Roan) and Smoke. Mom, AKA, Nana still lives on the property in the apartment she and dad built while they were moving from Cedar Hill during the building of the farm house. Nana is always busy coming and going to church, bowling and chasing her grandkids.

During Running B Farm’s hay days of the late 80s and 90s Troy and dad built the big red barn, round pens for breaking babies, an electric horse walk-wheel and even a ½ mile training track in the middle of the property. As many as 40 horses at ta time would be on the farm during those days. Many in race training and several other breeding mares and babies.

Many great times were had on these acres, but as years went on, life took the family out of the racing business and into other endeavors.

In 2023 we made the decision to open the main house on the property to let others enjoy the peace, quiet, and starry night skies at the farm that we have enjoyed for all these years!

“Horse Tales” From the Farm:

In the late 90’s…..

The first winning horse as owners of Jim and Donna’s was Sheza Mover in 1987. The first win for Troy Burcham as a trainer was also with Sheza Mover (Pictured Right). Troy trained many horses for mom and dad over the next 10 year and also for our Uncle Carl and family friends.

Running B was definitely the brand of the working man. Dad had an accounting firm for over 40 years, mom retired from the post office after 25 years. Uncle Carl worked at GM in Arlington for close to 50 years. I started working for Troy at Louisiana Downs in about 89’. I also earned my trainer’s license and enjoyed my time in the Sport of Kings.

Our family has lots and lots of wonderful memories over these years. Most of the horses we trained were either born right here at Running B Farm or we acquired them privately with injuries or when other trainers had given up on them. Our MOST notable was Eulogize (Pictured Left). Eulogize had incredible breeding. His mother made over $300,000 and was a Graded Stakes mare and his father was the Champion Sire, Roberto. Dad noticed Eulogize’s pedigree when he was looking at horses on a racing form that were running in New Orleans at The Fairgrounds. Eulogize was owned by world famous Dogwood Stables who have won legs of the Triple Crown and competed in multiple Kentucky Derbies. Eulogize was entered into a claiming race for $5000 which was the absolute lowest price you could run for. Dad investigated his pedigree and couldn’t believe this horse that was bought for  $190,000 as a yearling and was still a stallion, was running for a price tag of $5000. Dad wanted the colt to bring to the farm to stand stud and  tried his best to get the money to Troy before the race but couldn’t. So, after Eulogize ran dead last in the race, Troy walked over to Cot Campbell’s barn and asked if he could buy him. The world renowned trainer gruffed “You can have him for $4000 and you can keep his halter”.

Eulogize was scheduled to be shipped from New Orleans to Running B Farm but the next available spot on the van was 10 days away. While Troy took care of Eulogize each day he noticed that he was a little sore in his rear end. Troy convinced dad to let him train him and try to run him at least once before he shipped him home to stand stud.

Troy was right. He figured out what was causing his soreness. The first time Troy ran him he ran 3rd for $8,000 claiming. The next time he ran 3rd for $10,000 claiming and the next time he ran 3rd for $25,000 claiming. That summer in 1990 Eulogize won 2 races, finished 2 seconds, and a 5th and made over $50,000 while setting 2 track records on both dirt and turf. The picture in the upper left corner is Eulogize winning his last race at Louisiana Downs and breaking the track record.

There were many other wonderful tales of races won and lost. Another of our favorites was Special Game (Pictured Right) She too was bought for only $5000 by Joe Sheperd of Canton. Joe and his wife Amanda started Backwoods Bar B Que on highway 19 just about the time the Burchams bought the farm. Joe and Dad became quick friends. Amanda and Mom still bowl together today and Amanda and her son still run Backwoods Bar B Que in Canton.

Troy had trained Special Game before for another owner but the owner had moved her to a different trainer. When Troy saw she was about to run for $5000 he and Joe decided Joe would buy her. She also ran dead last in that $5000 claiming race. I was working for Troy as his assistant trainer at the time and when you buy a horse out of a claiming race, you literally take ownership when they walk off the track. As I watched Special Game running dead last all the way around the track I begged my brother not to make me walk out in front of everyone and take her off the track and back to our barn…. But I did it… and Troy was right again. 2 races later Special Game won the race in the top right of the collage for a $50,000 claiming price, beating the nicest horses at Louisiana Downs that summer.  She went off at 35-1! We were all rich and happy that night for sure!

So….. When Special Game was done running, Joe had her bred to Eulogize. When the baby was about 2 years old Troy and I bought her from Joe. We named her Maximum Advance. Max is pictured in the top middle of the collage Winning the Chapel Bell Stakes at Louisiana Downs. Max won 4 races in her lifetime and was bought out of a claiming race from Troy and I. She won that race but had developed some knee injuries. The new owners made her a broodmare. Maximum Advance had 2 of her babies win or place in stakes races in Oklahoma where she lived out her life. 

Dad and Mom stood Eulogize at stud at Running B for several years. Once mom retired from the post office they shut down the breeding farm. Dad gave Eulogize to one of our long-time racing friends near Louisiana Downs where he lived out his days in a huge pasture eating grass and having the occasional lady visitor stop by.