Co-Owner & Managing Partner

Steve is an experienced horseman, beginning in Maryland in 1971 and enriched with his time at Spendthrift in ‘75.  He has served as the National Forage Spokesperson (’93), president of the Kentucky Thoroughbred Farm Managers’ Club (’01), and director of the Kentucky Equine Management Internship Program.  He lectures frequently about farm and equine management on the farm as well as in educational and professional settings.

Co-Owner & Racing Manager

Dr. Mersack received his medical degree from the University of Kentucky College of Medicine, and served as chief resident at Boston University School of Medicine.  He is the senior partner in Dermatology Associates of Kentucky.  Ira has brought together many breeding and racing partnerships in his involvement in Thoroughbred racing, and continues to do so.  One of his best stakes winners, TROPIC LIGHTNING, is currently standing at stud.

Co-Owner & Racing Manager

Interested in Thoroughbred racing since attending St. Xavier High, Joe bought his first racehorse in ’83.  His involvement grew, and he began putting together partnerships and syndicates modeling Dogwood Stables, bringing over 50 new owners to industry in the early 90’s, and became the leading owner at Churchill Downs in ’91.  Joe operates Shadowfax Stables in addition to his involvement with the farm, and has won across the state.

Co-Owner & Marketing

Lynn’s father, a large-animal vet, spurred her interest in Thoroughbreds, teaching her to read the DRF at Ak-Sar-Ben.  She received her nursing degrees from the University of Kentucky, earning honors in their top-notch program.  She heads the clinical research department in Dermatology Specialists PSC, testing and experimenting with new medications and dealing with the pharmaceutical companies who develop the new drugs.

Accountant, Margaux Stallions LLC

Born in Montreal, Diane moved with her family to San Antonio, Texas as child before completing a Bachelor’s degree in accounting at the University of South Florida (Tampa).  Diane came to Kentucky in 1990, and has been doing accounting for Margaux Stallions since 1995.  A controller for a major bloodstock agency from ’95-98, she started her own practice in ’95.

Office Manager

Growing up in Peru, Indiana, Michele showed her Appaloosas and Quarter Horses in 4-H in both Horse and Pony divisions.  Following the horse industry to Kentucky, she earned an Associate of Arts degree in Equine Farm Management at Midway College.   A part of the Margaux office team since 1997, Michele still enjoys being in the barns and working the sales.  She oversees stallion, racing and sales administration, billing, booking mares, registrations and nominations.

Controller

An Ohio native, Debbie came to Kentucky to study accounting at the University of Kentucky.  Working during her school career, she landed a job while still attending classes, and gained experience working in the accounting department on a horse farm.  Prior to joining the Margaux team, Debbie had worked as the controller for an industrial distributor for over twenty years, and her vast experience lends a strong hand to our office staff.

Receptionist & Executive Assistant

While she had never been in the horse industry prior to joining the Margaux office team, Linda had a working knowledge of what it takes to run a business.  She and her husband opened the first of two retail children’s stores in 1986, where they continued as hands on owners/operators until 2003.  In ’99 they moved to Versailles, where Linda gardens and trains her Australian Shepherd.

Maintenance Manager

A second-generation horseman with over two decades of experience in the industry, Allen has been working with the Margaux team since 1997.  In his time with the farm, he has worked in nearly every division from the breeding shed to the foaling barn, and for the last 8 years he has run the maintenance division.

IT Manager

Born and raised on a farm, Dayn has been around horses all his life.  During high school, he worked as a freelance photographer for the farm.  After receiving a Bachelor’s degree in Pyschology from Transylvania University, Dayn came to Margaux to work in the Broodmare division, and after a year moved to work with The Jockey Club’s herd health software.  Currently he maintains the farm computer system, runs the website and works on pedigree analysis.

General Manager

Jonathan hails from Olympia, Washington, where he grew up showing Arabians, accumulating numerous national awards over a 14-year period.  An alumni of Montana State University, Jon graduated with a degree in animal science prior to completing two semesters of the KEMI program—at Shawnee Farm in 2009 and here at Margaux in 2010.

Bourbon Division Manager

Jeannie has been around horses all of her life, in all areas of the country–Michigan, California, and eventually following them to Kentucky.  At Midway College she earned a Bachelor’s of Equine Management, as well as an Associate of Business Administration.  Working the night-watch shift at Margaux while in college, after graduation Jeannie joined the team full-time.

Yearling Manager

Born and raised in the heart of the Bluegrass, Erik attended Transylvania University while working part-time at Margaux.  After graduating with a Bachelor’s degree in Business Management, he spent several months working at Westbury Stud in New Zealand.  His work overseas has given him unique insights into the global Thoroughbred industry.  In his role as yearling manager, his experience and attitude have helped transform the Margaux sales program into what it is today.

Training Manager

A graduate of the University of Louisville Equine Industry program with a minor in Finance, Josh worked as a groom and assistant to an equine dentist at Churchill Downs before enrolling in the KEMI program.  Upon completion of KEMI, Josh stayed on to manage the Breaking and Training program as well work in Stallion Sales and Marketing. Outside of the farm, Josh is the media relations co-chair of the KTA’s Vision 20/20 group.

Broodmare Manager

Born and raised in Rockville, Indiana, Kara showed Tennessee Walking horses in 4-H throughout high school.  She played on the Purdue Women’s Intercollegiate Polo Team during her four years of study, and graduated in 2010 with a Bachelor’s degree in Animal Science and a minor in Biology.  Kara completed the KEMI program (working at Margaux) during her last semester in her undergrad, and upon graduation she stayed on to work at Margaux, where she applies her skills to work in our lab.