Raised just a few miles from Long Island’s Belmont Park racetrack, Victor Bahna fell in love with horse racing in high school. Upon winning a few dollars his first day at the races, he was instantly hooked on the excitement, adrenaline and beauty of the sport. A few decades later, after relocating to Seattle, Victor ventured into the realm of thoroughbred ownership and purchased his first racehorse at Emerald Downs, located near Seattle. Today, he owns two broodmares and manages a small racing partnership under the stable name of Royal Victory Thoroughbreds. His time on the backstretch with various professionals across the racing industry over the past two decades has brought him the joy of continuous learning while fostering a deep appreciation for the beauty, power and grace of the thoroughbred. Today he is a devoted advocate for racehorse welfare and longevity. His debut novel, Heliacal Star, draws on this passion and experience.

When not writing, working as a tech executive or spending time with his retired thoroughbred, Rooster City, Victor heads to the local races at Emerald Downs and travels to Belmont and Saratoga with the friends from high school who first introduced him to the sport. He lives in Washington state with his wife and two children.