Welcome to
Team Equistaff
Based in the heart of horse country, Ocala, we’re a racing stable committed to top-tier training, Thoroughbred welfare and supporting our local equine industry.
All horses in our stable are fully or partially owned by EQUIstaff Inc., the original online recruitment agency for equine professionals. We represent equine professionals chasing the dream of a career with horses, and employers looking for the perfect fit to grow their team.
We’ve built a racing stable with some of the best-known Thoroughbred bloodlines, and finest trainers in the industry, with collective experience of over a century, and more than 6000 wins spanning their expansive careers.
Come and meet the horses and trainers behind Team EQUIstaff; we’re making massive strides in the racing world and beyond.
Racing For the Next Generation
Team EQUIstaff is the realization of the lifelong dream of, Founder and CEO of EQUIstaff, Inc., to make real impact in the equine industry.
Her vision to bridge the gap between equine employers and job seekers, in an accessible and affordable way was groundbreaking, earning massive success throughout the equine community worldwide.
Team EQUIstaff represents the chance to take the success of EQUIstaff back to where it all started – the barn.
Passionate about the Thoroughbred horse, Team EQUIstaff actively supports local horse industry through our memberships with Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association, Florida Thoroughbred Breeders’ and Owners’ Association, Ocala Metro Chamber & Economic Partnership, and the Ocala Horse Alliance, working to preserve and improve the horse industry locally. We are also proud sponsors of the Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance and Tampa Bay Downs racetrack – Tampa Cup Day.
We race under the name Team EQUIstaff to represent all equine industry professionals.
We chased our dream, now you chase yours.
Since 1982, EQUIstaff has been supporting the dreams of thousands of passionate equestrians looking to make their mark in the horse industry. The original equine staffing agency, EQUIstaff connects job seekers and employers through our global industry database.
EQUIstaff caters to all aspects of professional recruitment, from bespoke done-for-you consulting and social media services, to brand awareness support and more.
Free for job seekers and offering competitive rates for employers, EQUIstaff is an affordable and practical solution for equine professionals, servicing all areas of the equine industry. With a massive database of professionals seeking employment, and thousands of employers looking for their next hire, your new opportunity awaits with EQUIstaff.
The Latest
News & Events
Welcome Baby Coop!
Team Equistaff welcomes a new filly to the barn! Say hi to Baby Coop.
Your Next Sport Pony
Team Equistaff and Hidden Creek Farm bring you your next sport pony!
Rampart Stakes at Gulfstream Park
Big race for Dreaming of Snow this Saturday, December 30th! The competition is HOT but Snowy loves to beat the odds!
The Team
Horses
AUTHENTIC
Dubbed ‘the best horse in America’ by renowned trainer Bob Baffert, Team Equistaff proudly secured shares in the stunning ‘Authentic’ after his Kentucky Derby 2020 win.
With bloodlines to die for (out of Flawless and sired by Into Mischief, a highly successful racehorse and breeding stallion) Authentic had an impressive racing career, with highlights including the Breeders Cup Classic, Kentucky Derby and Haskell Invitational S. He retired in 2020, completing his first breeding season at Spendthrift Farm in 2021.
We can’t wait to see what the future holds for this superstar and his offspring!
MINESHAFT MADNESS
Mineshaft Madness, known in the barn as Lucky, is clearly a lucky charm, winning wire to wire on her first time out for Team EQUIstaff! Her sire, Mineshaft, 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. At age 6 she retired to start her career as broodmare and has blessed Team EQUIstaff with our very special filly, Baby Carol.
CRAFTY KING
Crafty is a gorgeous chestnut 2 year old with racing royalty in his blood. His sire, ‘American Pharoah’, named Horse of the Year 2015, has been described as ‘An icon; the personification of perfection – physically, mechanically, and mentally. In short, the ultimate racing machine.’
We have every confidence this regal colt will show the same exceptional type, temperament and talent as his sire. He’s now in training and expected to hit the track Summer 2023!
BABY VALENTINE
Baby Valentine is the second foal out of Team EQUIstaff’s Mineshaft Madness, and is sired by Journeyman Stud’s Uncle Chuck. Born in the early hours on Valentine’s Day, this filly has stolen our hearts.
AEGON TARGARYEN
Bred by Team EQUIstaff and born in Ocala, this colt graced the world with his presence in early 2022. Out of The Goddess Lyssa and sired by The Factor, Aegon Targaryen is destined for greatness. Our hopes for this strong and independent colt is that he leads with greatness, and takes over the racing world!
MAD ABOUT CAROL
Bred out of Team EQUIstaff’s own successfully raced mare, Mineshaft Madness, and sired by Bridlewood Farm’s Valiant Minister, Little Carol holds a special place in the hearts of our team.
She carries the name of Mary K. Thomas’ late mother, Carol Thomas, who was a feisty and accomplished woman. We’re sure this little filly will do the name proud, and already demonstrates the characteristics of her namesake.
The Team
Owner & Trainers
Team EQUIstaff takes great pride in working with some of the most exclusive trainers in North America. All our trainers demonstrate unbridled talent, boasting impressive racing careers, but equally as important, they share our dedication to preserving and promoting the racing industry and thoroughbred welfare.
Mary K. Thomas, Owner
Falling in love with horses at the age of 6, Mary K. Thomas made her mark on the equestrian industry at an early age. Founding EQUIstaff, the original online equine staffing agency, in 1982, Mary has created a thriving equine career, and now has the pleasure of passing this experience on to the next generation of equestrians.
A lifelong lover of thoroughbreds, bringing Team EQUIstaff into existence is a dream come true for Mary. Aside from managing a barn of actively racing horses and EQUIStaff, Mary is happiest when contributing to preserve horse racing and improve the lives of horses through the Marion Therapeutic Riding Assocation and Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance.
Learn more about Mary here!
Gerald Bennett, Trainer
One of only 13 North American trainers to reach the milestone of 4000 race victories, and the most successful Canadian-Born Thoroughbred Trainer of all time, it’s fair to say Gerald Bennett is a horse racing icon.
Gerald’s impressive racing career began as a trainer in 1974 and has led him to proudly front The Winning Stables, his highly regarded racing barn.
Bennett is known for his success in the industry, but perhaps more importantly, for his love for his horses and his uncanny knack for turning beaten horses around.
We are thrilled to have Gerald on our team.
Mark E. Casse, Trainer
Growing up in ‘horse country’ Ocala, Florida, Mark E. Casse knew he was destined for a career in racing after traveling to Kentucky with his father to watch Secretariat take out the 1973 Kentucky Derby; an experience that ‘gave him chills’. At only 17 years old, Casse took out his trainer’s license in Massachusetts, going on to win his first race as a trainer with Joe’s Coming at Keeneland in 1979.
Fast forward, and Casse is now a 13-time winner of the Sovereign Award for Outstanding Trainer (Canada) and was inducted into the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame in 2020. With a talent for uncovering the unique training needs of each horse, we are thrilled to have Casse on Team EQUIstaff!
Tom Morley, Trainer
Hailing from the Untied Kingdom, bred into a racing family, Tom Morely was born with racing in his blood. He has started more than 1600 racehorses and amassed over $11 million in purse earnings with multiple stakes wins.
Stay In Contact
Mary Thomas, President and Founder, has over 35 years of staffing and recruiting experience and is an entrepreneur and horsewoman herself. Please check out Mary’s full profile on www.maryk.com.
Phone
352-266-0015