team equistaff
News & Events
Meet team equistaff
With grass roots beginnings in what is now known as The Horse Capital of the World, the the first equestrian staffing agency, Equistaff, Inc. started in 1982. Founder and President, Mary K. Thomas, saw a need for quality equestrian employees in all aspects of equine businesses. Arriving in Ocala, FL in the early 1980’s, Mary began working in the Thoroughbred industry. Now a vastly successful business, Equistaff, Inc. is able to go back to where it all started – the barn. Team Equistaff horses, owned wholly or in part by Equistaff, Inc. and Team Equistaff, LLC, running under the name Team Equistaff, provide Equistaff with its very own sports team. Thoroughbreds have always been Mary’s favorite breed. Interested in giving back, Equistaff is a proud sponsor of the Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance. Info located at www.thoroughbredaftercare.org. As a member of TOBA, CEP and the Ocala Horse Alliance, Equistaff works to preserve and improve the horse industry locally. Find more information at www.ocalahorsealliance.com. Equistaff, Inc. is a proud sponsor of Tampa Bay Downs racetrack and this year’s Tampa Cup Day on Sunday, March 2021 – date to be announced. www.tampabaydowns.com . GO TEAM EQUISTAFF!
Mary K. Thomas, Owner
Mary has been a horse lover since childhood. Since moving to Ocala, Mary has been involved in the equestrian business and community. So naturally, she is very excited to have Thoroughbreds actively racing. Giving back locally to MTRA and nationally to the Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance, she is happiest when contributing to preserve horse racing and improve the lives of horses. See www.maryk.com for more details.
Gerald Bennett, Trainer
A native of Nova Scotia and owner of The Winning Stables, Gerald has been training Thoroughbred's since 1974. Currently, he has 3848 wins and started over 18,000 horses. Always the leading trainer in Tampa, Gerald winters in Florida and summers in Delaware. At the end of the season 2020 Bennett became top trainer in Tampa for the 5th year in a row. With 6 horses on our Team Equistaff string, Gerald continues to care for and improve our horses.
Our Horses
Authentic
Team Equistaff secured shares in this 2020 Kentucky Derby winner through myracehorse.com. This bay colt is out of Flawless and is sired by Into Mischief, who won the Los Alamitos Futurity and went on to become a highly successful breeding stallion. Authentic just retired to stud at Spendthrift Farm in Kentucky after winning the Kentucky Derby and the Breeders Cup. Can't wait to see the foals. Named Horse of the Year and Champion 2020, he was retired sound. He stands for $75,000 this season.
The Goddess Lyssa
Barn Name: Brownie
Purchased at the OBS June 2019 sale, this bay filly is sired by Fury Kapcori, now standing at Journeyman Stud. Brilliant at two and stakes-placed at three, Fury Kapcori hit the board 10 of 14 stakes races and was a model of consistency. Son of Horse of the Year Tiznow and from the Female Family of Horse of the Year Favorite Trick, we expect great things from our Goddess. She recently worked 36.2 at three furlongs, placing 3 of 17 and four furlongs in 48.8 and was 6th of 46. Not bad, Brownie! Brownie made her first start on Saturday, March 13th, Race 6 she won again wire to wire. In her first try, she was a half second off the track record. Jockey Daniel Centeno rode quietly, not resorting to the whip while our Brownie won by 12. Lyssa just won the Minaret Stakes at Tampa by three lengths in a great time over a heavy track. Lyssa now boast 5 first, one third and a fourth place after 7 starts. We can 't wait to see what else she has in store for us.
Little ms broadway
Barn Name: Fancy
Purchased privately in June 2019 from Craig Wheeler Thoroughbreds. This filly is out of a Sandra d'Oro by Medaglia d'Oro, sired by champion of the Grade 1 stakes Breeders' Cup Sprint, Big Drama. Big Drama was bred in Ocala by Harold Queen and stands at Oakton Farms. When in top racing form, her sire Big Drama had a speed index at Gulfstream of 120 - pretty darn quick! Fancy has now retired and is on to her next career in the horseshow world. We can't wait to see what she accomplishes!
Mineshaft Madness
Barn Name: Lucky
This daughter of Mineshaft won wire to wire on her first time out for Team Equistaff. Her sire, Mindshaft, is a multi-millionaire racehorse and successful stallion who now stands at Lanes End in Kentucky. Her dam, My Lucky Shoes, is the winner of over $100,000 and was in the money 12 times out of 17 starts. Lucky is an allowance winner of $83,000 dollars .
At age 6, she will retire as a broodmare in Ocala. We can't wait to see her first foal and are seeking a stallion for her now.
Tap Dance Fever
Purchased at the OBS Spring 2020 sale, this gorgeous bay filly is out of It’s Heidi’s Dance and sired by Tapiture. A son of Tapit, this Black-type winner of $1,536,820 is out of multiple Graded stakes producer, Free Spin, making him full brother to 2019 Super Derby winner, Rotation, and his full sister produced 2019 Golden Rod S, and 2020 Rachel Alexandra S winner, Finite. Tapiture was also named the #1 second-crop sire of 2018. It’s Heidi’s Dance is the dam of 7 foals to win including stakes winner Fast and Accurate. Placing third in her very first start, she won her second start. We are waiting for more from her.
West Side Warrior
Barn Name: Warrior
Purchased at the OBS April 2019 sale, this bay gelding is out of West Side Dancer, a Mr. Prospector mare and sired by the Grade Stakes winning Millionaire and son of Unbridled's Song, Liam's Map. Standing at Lanes End Farm, Liam's Map he was unraced as a juvenile. As a four-year old, he emerged as one of the best horses in N America winning the Woodward Stakes and the Breeders Cup Dirt Mile. Based on recent Keeneland Sales results and relatives on the track, Warriors family is very active and improving. Warrior in a bit of a nut and loves eating peppermints. Back in Tampa with Gerald Bennett, he last worked 4 furlongs in 49.2. Warrior is looing for his next race ----- Go Warrior!
Workinonbeinsingle
Barn Name: Single
Purchased at the OBS January 2020 sale, this bay filly is out of Hi Avie by the Eclipse Award 1980 Champion 2 Year Old Colt Lord Avie and sired by Bahamian Squall out of Graded Stakes sprinter Gone West, a Mr. Prospector son. Bahamian Squall stands locally at Double Diamond Farm in Ocala, FL. Though she is a late 2017 filly, this bay beauty has had 6 starts and just had her first trip to the winner's circle at Tampa Bay Downs. Way to go, Single!
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