TGSF is on vacation for the next two weeks - we have a TAKE 3 version with owners coming up at the end of June - stay tuned!

Check in with the National Steeplechase Association’s top trainers with the summer season still weeks away.

What are they doing? What are they planning? Who's playing what on their Spotify feed (and which two trainers admit they're Freddy Mercury superfans?) 

We dug a little deeper with the trainers - find out what's for dinner (and how many are dining-in.) 

By Betsy Burke Parker

🥇 Birthdate: September 4, 1972

🥇 Born: West Chester, Pennsylvania

🥇 Home base: West Chester, Pennsylvania

🥇 History: Young got her first job in racing with Jonathan Sheppard at age 16 – she trains from his former Ashwell Stable base, and lives at her parents’ property a few minutes away.

Temple Gwathmey Steeplechase Foundation: What is some advice you’d give to a young or aspiring trainer? You can be funny – “Don’t do it!” or serious – “Start out small with one or two of your own.”

Leslie Young: It’s simple, really. The best piece of advice for any trainer ever – “Always keep yourself in the best possible company and your horses in the worst.”

It’s true!

TGSF: Your favorite-ever horse – anything from a childhood pony to your first winner or a horse in history that inspired you.

LY: My favorite had to be Jay – J.A. Nicely, a very fast thoroughbred (14.2 on the dot) race pony. (She won a race at Penn National at 4 in 1987 but found her true calling in NSA and point-to-point pony races.)

She won for me, Helen Pitts, Emily Fenwick, Elizabeth Voss, Arabella Knox, Emily Neilson (Jay won 30 of 39 pony race starts.)

TGSF: Silly question – you’ve got a lot of horses, we know, but just how many mouths do you feed each day? Like, how many people (humans, horses, farm animals) depend on you daily?

LY: Wait, wait, give me a second to count up.

I’m thinking something like 50 horses, three humans, one beta fish, two dogs. Do I count the barn cats? I guess there are about six of those.

The hawk ate the chickens, so I don't have to feed the chickens.

(The Young family from 10-ish years ago, photo courtesy of Leslie Young)

TGSF: Who were your heroes as a kid? Anyone in, or out of, the race industry you idolized?

LY: First would have been Mrs. (John B., Nancy) Hannum (50 year master of the Cheshire Hunt, two-time winning trainer of the Maryland Hunt Cup). She was great to the kids in the hunt field. She was all about the kids, about encouraging us to ride on up there.

Obviously I grew up idolizing (Hall of Fame trainers) Jonathan Sheppard and Jack Fisher. Jack was real fun, and since he was only about 10 years older than us, he made it so much fun.

I was a boarding student at Oldfields – he even ended up coming to one of our field hockey games, and he really made going to the races fun.

TGSF: Here’s an easy one – with no jump racing or foxhunting to distract us, we can't help but have music on our mind (since we heard the Dead is doing "their final tour!) What's your best concert memory?

LY: My first concert was great – Little Feat. But I think the best show was Fleetwood Mac. Amazing.

🥈 Birthdate: June 18, 1963

🥈 Born: In Delaware, but grew up in Pennsylvania

🥈 Home base: Monkton, Maryland

🥈 First starter under rules (1987, Call Louis at Foxfield Fall), and first winner (1989, Call Louis at Middleburg Spring.)

🥈 Hall of Fame duel: Fisher has trained winners of more than $21 million on the flat and over fences; Jonathan Sheppard retired in 2020, saddling winners of nearly $89 million on the flat and over jumps.

TGSF: Favorite-ever horse? (We think we know …)

JF: Saluter. He’s one of those that started from (almost) nothing and became something great.

I had like eight horses in training when he came along. Dickie Small had him and didn’t want him. He was offering him to Tom Voss, and he didn’t want him. I remember the phone call – I gave $2,500 for him but always kick myself because I coulda had him for a thousand.

He was slow, a little rogue-ish. Mr. (Henry and wife Ann) Stern had bought two expensive horses from New Zealand and neither one could run.

I sold him part of South of Java (3-year-old champion in 1993) and Saluter (NSA’s all-time timber topper with five year-end titles and almost $500,000 in winnings.)

TGSF: Heroes in the industry?

JF: Growing up, I had lots of heroes, especially Jerry Fishback and Woody Maloney. When I was riding (races,) those were the ones I looked up to.

TGSF: Any Fisher barn team players you want to give a shout out?

JF: Lots, but let’s start with Sandra Webb, Ashley Randall, Anna Rushton. But there are many people that make it all work. (Tod Marks photo of Sandra Webb and Snap Decision last summer at Saratoga)

TGSF: If you could go to/could have gone to any concert in history, which one?

JF: I would have liked to have seen (Queen lead singer and front-man) Freddy Mercury, especially at that show at Wembley Stadium (the 1985 Live Aid concert in England.) I would have liked to have been at (the original, August, 1969) Woodstock.

TGSF: Anything occupying your time between now and major track racing starting up July 14 at Colonial Downs? Fun stuff going on?

JF: (Wife) Sheila and I (and their two terriers – a Jack Russell and a hunt terrier cross) are going to our place near Jackson Hole, Wyoming for a little hiking and biking. The dogs go with us, under our seats. They don’t really like flying but drugs (for them) make it okay.

🥉 Birthdate: March 6, 1964

🥉 Home base: Coatesville, Pennsylvania

TGSF: You were champion rider in 1986 and 1987, and started training in 1991. Any advice to an aspiring trainer?

RH: Find a good mentor. Be patient. Make sure the horse is well prepared.

Run in the easiest race you can find.

TGSF: Favorite racehorse? Or maybe race pony? 

RH: Twin Nora (a 1967 thoroughbred, a twin; won 19 of 23 lifetime pony races). She wasn’t easy to train, but my father (longtime steeplechase personality Dickie Hendriks, who died in 2010) figured her out.

TGSF: How many mouths do you feed?

RH: We have four dogs, 25 horses, four cats.

TGSF: Industry heroes?

RH: Before I was a jockey, I looked up to Jerry Fishback and Tom Skiffington. They were the two best jockeys at the time.

They were both very stylish and won all the big races.

When I was riding races, (ponies starting in 1973, horses starting in 1980, through the 1990 season), I looked up to (1980, ‘81, ‘82, ‘83 leading rider) John Cushman. He was a very smart race rider and a good friend.

I was lucky enough to work for Mr. (Burley) Cocks. He was an excellent conditioner and really knew the ability of his horses. He had a great training system. (Douglas Lees photo of Ricky Hendriks and Burley Cocks in 1989)

TGSF: Horses and racing aside, what’s the “scariest” thing you’ve done?

RH: Helicopter skiing.

TGSF: Think ahead for a minute - where do you see American jump racing headed? Five-year prognostications?

RH: In the next five years, I see steeplechase racing running over the new Irish hurdles, and wagering at all hunt meets. And more jump racing back at the flat tracks.

TGSF: Favorite catch phrase? 

RH: “Winner, winner, chicken dinner.”

TGSF: Other than standing in the winner’s circle, what’s your favorite part about jump racing?

RH: My favorite part about training in celebrating with owners and friends (after a successful day) at the bar later on that night.

TGSF: Best concert? Favorite concert? Plans for a concert?

RH: I have already seen my two favorites – Elton John and Fleetwood Mac.

I would really like to see Queen (now with touring with frontman Adam Lambert since Freddy Mercury died in 1991) this year.

TGSF: If you could have lunch with anyone in the history of the world, who would it be? And where would you take them?

RH: (British Prime Minister) Winston Churchill. He rode, and he was extremely smart, and I would have a lot of questions for him.

I would take him to The Whip (Tavern, a popular watering hole and restaurant in Coatesville, Pennsylvania.)

4️⃣ Birthdate: August 11, 1966

4️⃣ Home base: Unionville, Pennsylvania

4️⃣ Training career: Saddled first starter under rules in 1996; to date has won 216 of almost 2,000 starts on the flat and NSA for almost $4.5 million.

4️⃣ In the family way: Daughter Skylar McKenna – Virginia, Maryland and Delaware Valley leading rider, acts as Kathy’s assistant, and helps dad Todd McKenna, which is why, Neilson says, they both won so many races this season. Skylar rode through the 2022 season, now also is galloping for trainer James Toner at Fair Hill.

TGSF: Any advice to an aspiring trainer?

KN: As a trainer, I’d say my biggest advice is “Hang in there” because it is an up and down ride.

Also, you will never regret being kind to your jockey.

TGSF: We won’t say “name your favorite” horse (that’s like saying “name your favorite child,”) but how about this – any special horses in your life?

KN: Oh, yes, there have been so many, but there are two very special horses I can think of this season. (Irish-bred 8-year-old mare) Bercasa because she gave us a beautiful colt born on my father’s birthday and then went out and won the filly stake at Iroquois this spring. (Tod Marks photo of Skylar McKenna greeting Bercasa and Gerard Galligan after their win at Iroquois)

And naturally (Irv Naylor’s Irish-bred 9-year-old) Withoutmoreado. He won two races for Skylar (Genesee and Winterthur) and the Maryland Hunt Cup this April for Conor Tierney.

TGSF: Being a trainer, and a mom, and a farm owner is a lot of work! How many mouths are you feeding every day?

KN: I feed about 20 horses, two ponies, three kids, two dogs and a fiancé. (Though), I am not much cook, so they would complain that I don’t actually feed them!

TGSF: Who are some of your heroes?

KN: My heroes are my brother Stewart who is a pilot, the best father and one of the kindest people on the planet. And my sister Sanna: wicked smart, brave and kind. Oh, and she’s a rockstar tennis player.

TGSF: We’re sure there are a lot of them, but what are some of the scariest things you’ve ever done?

KN: The scariest thing I have done is ride in a timber race after having three kids.

That, and parachuting out of a plane. 

TGSF: We think we know your answer to this one, and we’re pretty sure it’s going to choke us all up, but here goes – if you could have lunch with any person in history, dead or alive, who would it be? And where would you take them?

KN: It would be with my dad, Paddy Neilson (a championship amateur trainer-rider who died in 2019) at Archie’s (in Kennett Square, Pennsylvania.)

We have a lot to catch up on.

(Tod Marks photo of Kathy and Paddy Neilson in 2015)

5️⃣ Birthdate: May 7, 1991

5️⃣ Born: Kirkwood, Pennsylvania

5️⃣ Home base: Kennett Square, Pennsylvania

5️⃣ Quotable quote: After-hours one day last week, when we reminded Brion we needed her A’s to our Q’s, she lovingly chided us. “You’re gonna have to give me some time! I have 100 horses in training. I’m still in the barn!”

TGSF: What is some advice you’d give to a young or aspiring trainer?

KB: It’s not easy. Be ready to give up your spare time and life as you once knew it. You make a lot of sacrifices, and it is a huge commitment.

Be honest with yourself about making the leap to train on your own, and if it’s really what you want to do.

It’s financially tough and mentally tough – but also amazingly rewarding when getting horses to the winners’ circle.

Just be ready for the commitment it takes.

TGSF: Your favorite-ever horse – and why?

KB: Baltimore Bucko. He was my first grade 1 winner (the Smithwick at Saratoga in 2021), an absolute doll in the barn and I rode him every day.

I picked him out all on my own in Ireland unraced, and I was very proud of that.

We unfortunately lost him when he had a fall at Belmont (in the Entenmann in September, 2021.)

I miss him every day.

TGSF: How many mouths do you feed per day – horses, people, pets?

KB: About 80 horses (spread between the Fair Hill, Maryland training center, Delaware Park racetrack and a few nearby farms), three barn cats – Queso, Salsa, Panda. And two Jack Russell terriers – Zoey and Maci.

TGSF: Your heroes as a kid? Your heroes now?

KB: I looked up to (jockey) Rosie Napravnik growing up.

I still really look up to (Hall of Fame trainer and Keri’s original employer and mentor) Jonathan Sheppard even though he is retired.

I am striving hard to successfully be a dual purpose trainer in the U.S., and he was the best to ever do it.

TGSF: Where do you see the American jump racing sport in five years?

KB: The sport is at a crossroads, and there are a lot of decisions that will determine the sport’s future.

We need to figure out how … to enforce stronger medication guidelines to be in line with what HISA has implemented on the flat.

There are plenty of positives happening as well, but in a sport under a lot of scrutiny already, we need to continue to do better in many aspects.

TGSF: Any team players you want to give a shout out to?

KB: YES! Heidi Wehner and Tatiana Sushko are my two right-hands at Fair Hill.

Heidi holds the fort down, and Tatiana keeps the circus rolling every weekend when we go racing.

Susan Ditter manages the string we have at Delaware Park.

I have an incredible vet in Dr. Taryn Gassert who always does right by the horses, and a fabulous blacksmith, Chris Miller.

I have an amazing team of grooms headed by my foreman Victor Vasquez, and a great group of riders as well – obviously including stable jockey (and defending champion rider) Parker Hendriks.

(Photo of part of the team at the 2021 Eclipse Awards, for The Mean Queen - Parker Hendriks, Tatiana Sushko, Rod Moorhead, Keri Brion and Alice Moorhead. Photo courtesy of Keri Brion)

TGSF: What is your barn’s mission statement? What saying sums up what you’re doing – for yourself, for your clients, for your horses?

KB: “Happy horses run the fastest.”

We treat every horse as an individual, and their training programs and everything else are (custom) tailored.

TGSF: Your favorite part of the sport – other than the winner’s circle!?

KB: I love being in the barn in the afternoons alone with all of the horses. Walking down the barn aisle checking on all of them when they are happy and content.

I also really enjoy riding out back on our turf gallops at Fair Hill as the sun is rising.

TGSF: If you could go to (or could have gone to) any concert in history, which one would you choose?

KB: I’d love to have seen Eminem in concert. The best concert I’ve ever been to was Maroon 5 in Vegas on New Year’s Eve!

I’m actually a big concert goer, so I’ve actually already seen a lot of my favorites.

TGSF: If you could have lunch with anyone in history, who’d you go with, and where would you go?

KB: My mom. She lost her very heroic battle with cancer seven years ago.

I’d take her to California Pizza Kitchen so she could have her favorite dessert – butter cake!

(Photo of Keri and her mom courtesy of Keri Brion)

Summer racing at Colonial Downs - 5 weeks and ticking! ©Coady Photography