Jim & Susan Hill
Farm Owners
Jim and Susan Hill of Calgary, Alberta, were partners in Margaux Farm before buying out the previous owners in 2014. Since then, they have committed substantial resources toward turning the operation into a premier training facility. Given the fact that they entered the world of horses just over a decade ago, the Hills have made a huge splash, enjoying success with numerous graded stakes winners, including Grand Arch, Totally Boss, Solid Appeal, Tizahit, Sharp Sensation, Go Blue or Go Home and Daddy is a Legend.
"My wife and I enjoy racing at Keeneland very much but also prefer to have our horses freshening during the winter. Margaux Farm allows us to do both. We can keep our horses in Kentucky enjoying winter turnout in groups in large paddocks but also we can start their conditioning for the spring meet with daily exercise on our synthetic gallop and synthetic straightaway." -Jim Hill
Richard Budge
General Manager
Born in Fareham, England, Richard graduated from the Worcester College of Agriculture with a degree in Equine Studies and then set out to gain experience in every aspect of the thoroughbred industry. He started with breeding, foaling and yearling prep at Whitsbury Manor Stud and then moved on to groom and ride out for Toby Balding. He followed that up with a position in Chantilly, France, as assistant trainer to Jonathan Pease before accepting an invitation from Cot Campbell to break yearlings for Dogwood Stables. After a four year stint training in Brazil, Richard returned to the U.S as an assistant trainer to Steve DiMauro Sr., before training privately for Art Preston’s LOR Stable, where he experienced considerable success. In 2002, Richard joined WinStar Farm as their head trainer and spent 17 years overseeing the training of many G1 winners, including Triple Crown winner Justify, Songbird, Honor Code, Super Saver, Forever Unbridled and Uncle Mo. In his spare time, Richard enjoys hiking with his wife Silvana and son Gabriel. He also enjoys tennis, soccer, rugby and is a passionate horse racing fan. Email Richard.
John Gleason
Head Trainer
John’s life has been horse oriented, growing up showing halter and western pleasure, then eventually making the switch to thoroughbreds in his early 20’s. He went to work for Glen Ridge Farm prepping yearlings and 2yo’s for sales. He started his training career at Woodside Ranch for Bryan & Holly Rice gaining managerial skills, meaningful industry connections, and organization of a substantial training program. In 2013 he started at his most recent prior employment, Woodford Thoroughbreds, as a trainer. He began his position breaking and training coming 2yo’s for the sales as well as racing. In 2018 he was appointed as General Farm Manager, responsible for overseeing the farm and training daily which he held until starting here at Margaux Farm in October of 2023. In his free time, John enjoys spending time with his family, including his wife, four sons, and two granddaughters. Email John
Chasity Hedges
Assistant Trainer
Born in Warsaw Missouri, Chasity moved to Kentucky after graduating from the University of Missouri. She started developing young horses in college and became interested in thoroughbred racing after taking a class in college that brought her to Lexington. She found her niche working with young horses and made strides to hone those skills by doing the KEMI program and working at Denali Stud. These experiences led to her acceptance of a job at Juddmonte Farms where she spent the next 7 years working with the yearling stock of Prince Khalid bin Abdullah. In her final three years at Juddmonte, she worked with their two-year-olds in training, broadening her experience in that field. From there, she joined the Margaux team in April of 2022. Email Chasity
Cali Blair
Rehab Manager
Cali was born and raised just outside of Louisville, Kentucky and developed a love and passion for horses at a young age. She attended Murray State University and graduated with a degree in Equine Science and a minor in Exercise Science. She found an interest for rehab quickly when she interned at KESMARC, there she gained knowledge in therapeutic methods and processes. She continued to strive for connections and relations in the industry and received a position at the former Blackwood Stables. There she managed the rehab division, gaining key experience with utilizing an Aquatread and cold water spa. She joined the team at Margaux Farm at the end of February 2023. Email Cali
Sarah Carr
Broodmare Manager
Sarah grew up in Dublin, Ireland where her love for horses was instilled at a young age. Her career began with show jumpers where she worked as a riding instructor. She competed for her college show jumping team while completing her Bachelors in Equine Business in 2016. Upon graduation, Sarah worked at Childvision, an equine therapy facility for blind and multi-disabled children. In January of 2017 she moved to America to work in the broodmare division of the historic Calumet Farm. As well as working with broodmares, she gained experience as a showman at the yearling and breeding stock sales. In August of 2019 Sarah joined the team at Margaux Farm and is now the Assistant Broodmare Manager. Email Sarah.
Brit Gavenonis
Equine Operations Manager
Brit is a Lexington, Kentucky native and a lifelong equestrian. She has gained her Bachelor’s in Economics with a Minor in Business and has developed her horse skills from a young age. She grew up riding in the Keeneland Pony Club and began competing sport horses in eventing. This passion grew and she advanced her experience through positions in both thoroughbred racing and breeding. She began with sales prep at Keeneland & Fasig Tipton, then continued with a position at the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission working in the Breeder’s Incentive Fund Department. Most recently, she held the position of Equine Operations Manager at Armitage Farm, a standardbred facility in Kentucky. There she assisted in the start-up, organization, and management of all farm operations. She joined the Margaux Team in March of 2024. Email Brit.
Julianna Havnaer
Client Coordinator
Julianna grew up in Fort Mill, South Carolina where her passion for horses started at a young age at her local riding school. She chose to follow this path and moved to Lexington to attend the University of Kentucky where she graduated in 2022 with a Bachelors in Equine Science and Management. During her time at the University of Kentucky she was introduced to the thoroughbred industry through the sales at Keeneland and Fasig-Tipton where she gained experience as a groom, showman, and card runner. She continued her experience by completing internships with Taylor Made Farm and the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission in their Breeder’s Incentive Fund department. Julianna joined the Margaux team in October of 2022. Email Julianna
Joe Wiseman
Controller
As a life-long Lexington resident, Joe has always had a keen interest in Thoroughbreds. When Joe graduated from Transylvania University in 2007 with a degree in business management and finance, his goal was to use his education to pursue a career in some aspect of the horse industry. With that in mind he went to work for several notable farms in Lexington, including Three Chimneys, Shadwell, and the former Bluestone Farms. Joe has been employed at Margaux Farm since March of 2013 and was previously the equine administrator before advancing to his current position. In his spare time Joe is an avid horse racing and football fan. Email Joe.
Megan Russo
Training Assistant & Breaking Manager
Megan is originally from California where she grew up riding back country trails, competing in rodeo, and working in the cutting horse industry. She attended California State Polytechnic University in San Luis Obispo, earning a Bachelors in Animal Science with a Pre-Veterinary emphasis. Her extracurriculars included the school’s Breaking and Sales Horse program along with the Thoroughbred Racehorse Enterprise. These experiences led her to working both yearling and two year old sales for Adrian Gonzalez of Checkmate Thoroughbreds, and then also in Kentucky for Meg Levy with Bluewater Sales. After graduation, Megan decided to pursue her passion of training and working with the minds of young horses. She moved to Ocala Florida to break and gallop yearlings for the two-year-old in training sales under Brandon and Ali Rice at RiceHorse Stables. Megan joined the Margaux team in September of 2021.
