Welcome to
Team Equistaff
Based in the heart of horse country, Ocala, weâre 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.
Weâve 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; weâre 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 â 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.
You can now visit our site EQUIstaffPro which offers a more hands-on approach to recruiting for the equine industry. We specialize in recruiting for the equine industry and have extensive knowledge of the skills and experience required for the most demanding roles. We offer temporary, temp-to-hire, direct hire and executive search for equestrians and others in horse-related industries.
The Latest
News & Events
OBS Online December Sale 2024
Team EQUIStaff's Mineshaft Madness will be featured in the Ocala Breeder's Sales (OBS) first online sale starting Thursday, December 12th and going through the 17th. You can find more information here. Mineshaft Madness is currently in foal to Solera Farm's Rogueish.
Baby Valentine Sold
Baby Valentine, Out of Team EQUIstaff's very own Mineshaft Madness and sired by Uncle Chuck sold at the October OBS sale on Tuesday October 8, 2024 just ahead of hurricane Milton! We will miss her in the stable but we can't wait to see what this gorgeous girl does next!
Aegon Targaryen Race 10/11/2024
Aegon Targaryen will be taking is maiden race on Friday, October 11, 2024 at Gulfstream Park, Race 1. We're very excited to see him take to the track! GO JON SNOW!
The Team
Horses
AUTHENTIC
Dubbed âthe best horse in Americaâ by renowned trainer Bob Baffert, Team Equistaff proudly secured shares in the stunning âAuthenticâ 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 canât wait to see what the future holds for this superstar and his offspring!
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! Aegon has been training with Joe Hennessy and will be at Tampa Bay Downs in 2024.
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.
Goddess Minerva
 Goddess Minerva is out of Deb’s Candy Girl, and sired by Nyquist. Nyquist Kentucky Derby winner. Goddess Minerva is currently training with Gerald Bennett in Tampa.Â
Goddess Soteria
Bought at the OBS June 2024 Sale, this filly is out of Silver Sashay and sired by Maxium Security.
I’ve Got Game
Bought at the OBS June 2024 Sale, this filly is out of Tail Feather and sired by Game winner.
MAD ABOUT CAROL
Bred out of Team EQUIstaffâs own successfully raced mare, Mineshaft Madness, and sired by Bridlewood Farmâs Valiant Minister, Little Carol holds a special place in the hearts of our team.
She carries the name of Mary K. Thomasâ late mother, Carol Thomas, who was a feisty and accomplished woman. Weâre sure this little filly will do the name proud, and already demonstrates the characteristics of her namesake.
Ms. Aventina
Bought at the OBS June 2024 Sale, this filly is out of Desert Duchess and sired by Munnings.
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, itâs fair to say Gerald Bennett is a horse racing icon.
Geraldâs 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.
Kathleen O’Connell
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 Maryâs full profile on www.maryk.com.
Phone
352-266-0015