In Their Care

As she prepared to launch her training career, Brittany Russell learned everything she could as an understudy to top-flight conditioners such as Jonathan Sheppard, Brad Cox, Jimmy Jerkens and Ron Moquett. She also kept a close eye on her fellow workers. Luis Barajas, a groom for Moquett, stood apart from the crowd. “He was a […]

Johnathan Estrada feels very much at home at Belmont Park. His parents worked as grooms there. He is proud to be part of the first graduating class of Anna House, established in 2002 as a daycare and early education center for children of backstretch employees at the Elmont, N.Y., track. Estrada, 21, has been employed […]

Jordan Freeman never imagined his work as a hotwalker would provide a livelihood while being medicinal. That is the way it has played out. The 27-year-old Toronto native has not had an easy life. He was diagnosed at a young age with Asperger syndrome, a developmental disorder on the autism spectrum that affects the ability […]

Bill Parcells displayed brilliance throughout his 19 seasons as a National Football League head coach to earn enshrinement in the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Now, at 81, he is still making all the right moves as a Thoroughbred owner. Parcells offered a fitting tribute to the courage and talent of Melanie Giddings, a native […]

Luis Ettedgui began following Hofburg, bred and owned by Juddmonte Farms, in the spring of 2018. The teenager’s interest intensified when the chestnut son of Tapit placed second in the Florida Derby, leading him to persuade his father, Alberto, to purchase general admission tickets to the Kentucky Derby. Heavy rain forced them to seek shelter […]

“Are you all right to talk while I hold a horse?” Alice Clapham’s first words to a reporter who had scheduled an interview say everything about her. Horses always come first. And she is always pressed for time as a traveling assistant to highly-respected trainer Graham Motion. Clapham, 52, has been all horses, all day […]

Michael Sternklar shared two vignettes that say everything about Richard Schosberg’s integrity as a trainer and his passion for Thoroughbred aftercare. During their first meeting in 2005, an interview of sorts, Sternklar was blunt about how he wanted to proceed as a first-time owner. “I don’t want to cheat. I care about the horses,” he […]

Lindsy Reed sensed trouble the instant the phone rang at approximately 1 a.m. on Dec. 18, 2016. When she heard her mother’s frightened voice, she was sure of it. “You need to get to the farm now. The barn is on fire!” Kay told her. “Excuse me?” “Get your ass to the barn!” When Lindsy […]

Eddie Martin, Jr. wondered aloud if there would be room for him in the winner’s circle if favored Epicenter should win the Kentucky Derby. He could expect Steve Asmussen to make sure of that.  The Hall of Fame trainer credits Martin with playing an integral role in the development of the impressive Louisiana Derby winner. […]