Jena Antonucci
First Female Trainer
in History to
Win a Triple Crown Race
Jena Antonucci
First Female Trainer
in History to
Win a Triple Crown Race
Who is Jena Antonucci
“I didn’t pick them; they picked me. For that, I’m grateful.”
Seemingly born with the passion, Jena Antonucci had her first equine exposure quite young at three years old where she started her equestrian journey focusing on hunters, jumpers, and equitation.
She spent a lot of time in her teens retraining green retired thoroughbreds having no idea where it would lead later in life. This experience led to the curiosity to ask the question of how thoroughbreds are initially trained and developed.
Learned from the Best
With this hunger to learn, Jena was honored to work for Padua Stables under the D. Wayne Lukas breaking and training program starting young Thoroughbreds. With the full intention of returning to show horse land with this new perspective and growth, the thoroughbred industry won out, and the rest is becoming history!
Jena then worked as an equine veterinary assistant for several years. This opportunity provided another perspective on horses, their health and implementing best practices and additionally has proved to be invaluable for her.
Training with Instinct and Talent
Jena opened Bella Inizio Farm in 2008, initially focusing on reproductive work, young horses, and rehabilitating racehorses.
With her competitive side looking to be more fulfilled, she set off on her public training career earning her 1st win on March 7, 2010 at Tampa Bay Downs. Jena continues her winning racing program today across the country.
“The answer is already within each horse…it’s up to us to listen”
A NEW ERA FOR WOMEN IN RACING
In 2023 after winning the Peter Pan Stakes at Belmont Park, Arcangelo won the Belmont Stakes, making Jena Antonucci the first female trainer in history to win a Triple Crown race.
Arcangelo then went on to win the Travers Stakes, making Jena the second female in history to win the Travers in its 154-year history.
Closing out Arcangelo’s storied racing career, at the 53rd Annual Eclipse Awards, he was awarded Champion Three-Year-Old Male Horse.
Enhance Coverage of Thoroughbred Racing
Jena was awarded with the 2023 Big Sport of Turfdom Award by the Turf Publicists of America, presented to individuals that enhance coverage of Thoroughbred racing through cooperation with media and racing publicists.
Continuing into 2024 and beyond
In 2024, Jena was voted by her peers to represent them on the board of New York Thoroughbred Horseman’s Association (NYTHA). NYTHA recognizes that its constituents are the lifeblood of the racing industry in New York and focuses its efforts on doing what is best for New York horses and horsemen.
Minority and Women-Owned
In July 2022, Jena Antonucci and Katie Miranda launched horseOlogy, a minority and women-owned full-cycle thoroughbred training and ownership organization based in Ocala, Florida. horseOlogy handles everything related to thoroughbred breeding, training, and racing. They offer bloodstock advising, pinhooking, small-share partnerships, and more.
They are a serious team that wants to bring humor and enjoyment back into the sport of horseracing to make it relatable to the next generation of enthusiasts while respecting the long-steeped traditions.
Meeting the Needs of Retiring Horses
horseOlogy Encore, a 501c3 non-profit, was established by Jena and Katie in 2023 to meet the needs of retiring horses. Whether looking for a permanent pasture home or the ever-important support of transitioning to their next career, horseOlogy Encore is now available to existing and new clients.
855-HORSIES
Meet the Team
We keep an open-door policy for owners. While we continue to build a successful team with a family environment, which is the foundation for our growth.
Katie Miranda
Co-Owner of horseOlogy
Owner of White Lilac, Katie Miranda, was born and raised in Ocala, Florida – Horse Capital of the World. Both Katie’s parents were an integral part of her development into a horsewoman. Her father was a jockey and raised his daughter to love and respect horses. Katie and her mother traveled the east coast together, attending horse shows. Her parents owned and operated a thoroughbred training center, and she grew up in the family business.
Fiona Goodwin
Assistant Trainer
Originally from County Kerry in Ireland, Fiona grew up in a large family on the family farm. She was raised around horses; her father was a top showjumper. Her father's drive reinforced Fiona's development for perfection and attention to detail which is necessary for success.
Teona Rodriguez
Marketing
The team behind the scenes is dpeg Marketing Company, a custom web design and marketing organization based in Asheville, North Carolina. The dpeg Marketing vision is to create new and innovative ideas for every client, and they partner with tiny house, agriculture, outdoor, brewing, and equine businesses. They are enthusiastic and excited to contribute creatively to the team’s efforts.
Contact Us
I keep an open-door policy for owners. I continue to build a successful team with a family environment, which is the foundation for my growth. This allows me to maintain a consistent string of horses no matter where the team is racing.