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 show jumper.

Her father’s drive reinforced Fiona’s development for perfection and attention to detail which is necessary for success.

A Big Move

Fiona left for the U.S. and got her first job at Arnemann Farms in Kentucky as a young adult. There, she worked in breaking and developing young thoroughbreds. She was introduced to Fergie Sutherland through a family introduction, who trained Go Go Gallant and Imperial Call.

After getting her feet wet with racing, she moved on to the race track environment and broke her maiden at the Fair Grounds in New Orleans.

Returning to the Race Track

Fiona and her family missed the race track environment, so she picked up right where she left off. She nestled back into the industry’s top and hasn’t looked back since. She’s been Jena Antonucci’s assistant for nearly a decade. She is involved with every aspect of the team and the mission to advance the racing industry by including more women in leadership roles.

A NEW ERA FOR WOMEN IN RACING

The industry is evolving, and women are taking on new positions, which can only improve everyone’s experience.

When I am your trainer, you can feel confident. My life-long background in working and developing horses and my love for the sport will be the right combination to achieve success for you and your racehorse.

When asked about Jena Antonucci and Belmont Winner Arcangelo

“It really was a boost for women everywhere and in this industry, too, because it really is kind of a man’s world over here,” Goodwin said. “For a woman to do that, it was phenomenal. It’s good for the sport, I think.

“No matter what, she is in the history books for this. No one can ever take that away from her. It’s so brilliant.”

Betsy is the newest member of the Jena Antonucci Racing team, bringing dedication and a drive to master every aspect of Thoroughbred care and racing. Her approach aligns seamlessly with the team’s comprehensive philosophy of excellence. Betsy’s days are dynamic, filled with responsibilities such as observing morning training sessions, managing administrative tasks, maintaining schedules, overseeing inventories, and coordinating with the equine healthcare team.

When Jena Antonucci made history by winning the Belmont Stakes with Arcangelo, she inspired countless young women, including 24-year-old Cornelia Hartsmar from Sweden. With 100 wins as a jockey in Sweden and experience riding in France, Cornelia joined Jena Antonucci Racing in February to further her knowledge and skills.

At Saratoga, Cornelia plays an integral role, helping train and care for the horses while learning under Jena’s mentorship. She describes Jena as a patient and supportive teacher. “She explains things instead of just correcting, and that makes all the difference,” Cornelia said.

Katie Miranda’s passion for Thoroughbreds began early, growing up at her parents’ training facility in Ocala, Florida. She earned her Bachelor’s degree in Biology at the University of Tennessee/Martin, where she competed as part of their Division 1 NCAA Equestrian team. Katie continued her education with a Master’s degree in Animal Science from the University of Florida, which further solidified her expertise in the industry.

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Teona Rodriguez leads marketing, outreach, and sales efforts for Jena Antonucci Racing with a blend of creativity and strategic expertise. With more than a decade of experience in marketing, social media, email campaigns, and website development, she supports the team’s mission of making Thoroughbred ownership transparent, engaging, and accessible.

In addition to overseeing marketing initiatives, Teona plays a key role in the sales of horses of racing age, ensuring a seamless and rewarding experience for both owners and buyers.

Email

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