The Amplify Horse Racing Podcast

Ever wondered how someone becomes officially cleared to work with Thoroughbred racehorses? 🏇 In this episode of OnBoard with Amplify, we’re taking you inside the Kentucky Horse Racing & Gaming Corporation (KHRC) Licensing Office at The Red Mile to walk through the step-by-step process of getting licensed in the state of Kentucky.

Getting licensed is the first step for anyone who wants to work on the backside of a racetrack, from hotwalkers and grooms to exercise riders, assistant trainers, and even owners. A license ensures you’ve been approved by the state to safely and legally work in racing. 

Watch the full episode on YouTube or listen on your favorite podcast platform.

Follow Amplify Horse Racing on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, and TikTok @AmplifyHorseRacing for behind-the-scenes clips, educational resources, and updates on future episodes. Learn more about Amplify’s mission to connect young people with opportunities in the Thoroughbred industry at ⁠AmplifyHorseRacing.org⁠.

Animal husbandry is at the heart of every great horse farm—but did you know the same principles apply to goats? In this episode of OnBoard with Amplify, we head to Mill Ridge Farm in Lexington, Kentucky, to meet broodmare manager Jeremy Harlow. While Jeremy’s day-to-day revolves around caring for Thoroughbred mares and foals, he also runs a successful Kiko goat breeding program.

From choosing the right traits in livestock to ensuring strong health and proper care, Jeremy explains how the lessons learned in goat breeding mirror those used in Thoroughbred management. You’ll discover how good horsemanship often begins with universal fundamentals of animal husbandry, patience, observation, and a commitment to raising athletes and companions alike.

Watch the full episode on YouTube or listen on your favorite podcast platform.

Follow Amplify Horse Racing on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, and TikTok @AmplifyHorseRacing for behind-the-scenes clips, educational resources, and updates on future episodes.
Learn more about Amplify’s mission to connect young people with opportunities in the Thoroughbred industry at AmplifyHorseRacing.org.

What does it take to keep a racetrack race-ready?

In this episode of OnBoard with Amplify, we go behind the scenes at Keeneland with Track Superintendent Alfredo Laureano to learn about managing horse racing surfaces. From dirt to turf to synthetic, every surface requires careful maintenance to maintain optimal training and racing conditions for horses and riders. Join us as we: Ride along in tractors and water trucks. Learn how Alfredo and his team use data and technology to monitor moisture, surface depth, and track safety. Explore the science behind racetrack construction, from the cushion and hardpan to the crown. Step onto the turf course to see specialized equipment, such as a deep-tine aerator. Interested in working in track maintenance? Great news! Many jobs in this field don't require prior experience. You'll get on-the-job training to help you learn and succeed.

🎥 Watch the full video version on Amplify’s YouTube channel to see the equipment in action.

🎧 Listen on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or your favorite platform.

👉 Don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and review to help more people discover OnBoard with Amplify!

In our first episode, we take you to Mill Ridge Farm, a sixth-generation Thoroughbred nursery in Lexington, Kentucky. Known for raising horses that go on to succeed at the racetrack and in the breeding shed, Mill Ridge focuses on the full early lifecycle of a racehorse—from foaling to yearling prep to racing.This episode introduces listeners to the daily operations of the farm during breeding season. Farm Manager Jeremy Harlow explains the care involved during foaling, and Yearling Manager Wyatt Goodin walks us through the process of preparing young horses for public auction. You’ll also visit the stallion division, home to Aloha West, Casa Creed, and Oscar Performance, and learn more about their roles at the farm.We also speak with General Manager Price Bell Jr., who shares insight into how Mill Ridge is managed, what skills are valuable on a farm, and how new people can begin a career in the Thoroughbred industry.Watch the full video on Amplify’s YouTube channel or listen on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or your preferred platform. Subscribe to follow future episodes and learn more about the Thoroughbred world.

In this episode, hosts Annise Montplaisir and Kaitlin Christopherson welcome the new year with an inspiring discussion on goal setting, reflection, and planning for the future. Annise and Kaitlin take a moment to celebrate their accomplishments from 2024—Annise reflects on Amplify’s incredible outreach and impact within the horse racing community, and Kaitlin highlights key successes with clients of GSS the Marketing Agency. The conversation dives deep into how they approach reflecting on various areas of life—personal, professional, and equestrian—and how those reflections shape their future goals. Whether you’re setting short-term goals for the coming year or envisioning where you want to be in five years, this episode provides practical tips and inspiration for creating achievable timelines and meaningful milestones.

As the Amplify Horse Racing Podcast takes a short break, stay connected by subscribing to the Amplify newsletter and following us on social media for updates, resources, and more!

Join us for part two of this captivating two-part series with horseman DeJuan Smith! DeJuan brings a wealth of experience to the podcast, juggling multiple roles in the Thoroughbred industry: showman for Taylor Made Sales, ringman for Keeneland, skilled exercise rider, and pinhooker alongside his wife, Madeline. His path to horse racing is far from ordinary. Born in White Plains, New York, and raised in Virginia, DeJuan's diverse early career included stints as an assistant contractor, certified forklift driver, and head chef. A chance encounter with horses ultimately ignited his passion for racing, leading to a remarkable journey in the industry. 

In this episode, DeJuan dives into his experience in Thoroughbred sales, detailing his responsibilities during the sales season across the U.S. and offering insights into his roles at Taylor Made and Keeneland. He also goes into his passion for pinhooking and what he looks for when looking at horses. DeJuan shares practical advice for anyone aspiring to start a career in the sales world and recounts inspiring anecdotes about his rise in the industry. His story is a testament to the power of passion, perseverance, and seizing unexpected opportunities, and his journey offers valuable lessons for anyone looking to carve out their place in the Thoroughbred world.

Join us for this two-part series with horseman DeJuan Smith! DeJuan brings a wealth of experience to the podcast, wearing many hats in the industry: showman for Taylor Made Sales, ringman for Keeneland, and, alongside his wife Madeline, a dedicated pinhooker. But his journey into horse racing is anything but ordinary. Born in White Plains, New York, and raised in Virginia, DeJuan's early life exposed him to various careers—from assistant contractor to certified forklift driver and even head chef at a restaurant. His career path took a turn when a chance meeting introduced him to horses and ignited a passion for racing. DeJuan jumped right into the industry, working in the barns, learning to ride, traveling, and eventually transitioning into sales. In part one of this two-part series, DeJuan shares how he quickly had to learn the ins and outs of the Thoroughbred sales, and working hands-on with horses, and how he was able to apply his people-management skills to his work with horses. His unique story about moving up in his career reflects the diverse paths that lead to success in the Thoroughbred world. Tune in to learn from DeJuan’s early learning experiences in the industry!

The Amplify Horse Racing Podcast welcomes Robert Hartman, Chair of the University of Arizona Race Track Industry Program (RTIP). Robert grew up attending the races with his family on weekends and discovered the Arizona Race Track Industry Program through an ad in the Daily Racing Form. As an RTIP student, he began his racing career with a summer internship at NYRA, which led to a full-time position and eventually brought him back to RTIP to serve as Chair of the program.

In this episode, Robert looks ahead to the 50th Global Symposium on Racing, hosted by RTIP from December 9-11 in Tucson, Arizona. He shares how students can attend in person or virtually, insights about the symposium’s significance, and highlights how it serves as a unique opportunity for networking and education through panels, speaker discussions, and Q&A sessions. The event draws a diverse audience, including students, educators, industry professionals, and newcomers, fostering meaningful connections and discussions across all sectors of horse racing.

This year’s symposium will feature Amplify’s own Annise Montplaisir on the Industry Success Stories panel, to present about Amplify’s progress engaging youth. Tune in to hear more about the symposium and how it continues to shape the future of horse racing.

Learn more about the Global Symposium on Racing: https://rtip.arizona.edu/2024-symposium

Students who are interested in attending can reach out to Robert at [email protected].

Can’t make it to the symposium? Reach out to Robert for a free link to watch the symposium live.

Whitney Verbal is a Commonwealth Steward for the Virginia Racing Commission and serves on the Board of Stewards for Colonial Downs. Born in Chicago, she rode a horse for the first time at a summer camp as a child, and fell in love. Graduating from North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University, her passion for horse racing began during a transformative internship at Lazy E Ranch in Oklahoma working with Quarter Horse mares and foals. Whitney went on to work as a Placing Judge for the Maryland Jockey Club, completed the Racing Officials Accreditation Program (ROAP), and has since worked as a racing official at Colonial Downs, Keeneland, and Zia Park. In this episode, learn from Whitney about the process of becoming a racing steward, the various positions that fall under the umbrella title of horse racing official, and how to intentionally look for an internship in your area of interest.

Liza Hendriks, CEO and Founder of Inglis Digital USA, formerly Wanamakers, joins the Amplify Horse Racing Podcast to give first hand insight into starting a tech business from the ground up in the Thoroughbred industry. 

Liza grew up riding horses, and with her parents being trainers, she was around racing—especially steeplechase—from a young age. It wasn't until after college that Liza realized she could merge her business skills with her passion for racing and personally got involved in the industry. She gained experience in many aspects of racing, including behind-the-camera work, paddock analysis and interviews, marketing, and social media, before completing the Godolphin Flying Start (GFS) program. 

In 2020, Liza co-founded Wanamakers, an online Thoroughbred auction website, which was later acquired by Australian-based Thoroughbred auction house, Inglis, and renamed Inglis Digital USA. She shares her journey of starting and growing her own business, stemming from a business plan she created as a GFS trainee, along with the ups and downs that came with it. Join us as Liza offers valuable advice on entrepreneurship, innovation, and navigating the ever-evolving landscape of the Thoroughbred industry.