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
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
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. Email Megan
Synthia Colin
Training Assistant
Born in St. Louis, Missouri, Synthia’s passion to work with horses began at a very young age. She attended the University of Missouri and graduated with a Bachelor in Animal Sciences with a certificate in Equine Science and Management. She focused her career based on her interest and gained knowledge through every stage of a horse’s life, from foaling mares, to training young horses, and collecting stallions. She was a teaching assistant and became an Undergraduate Assistant Manager at the MU Equine Teaching Facility. She later interned in a Quarter Horse racing ranch in Wynnewood, Oklahoma. Her exposure with working closely with horses and students solidified her desire to take the knowledge and apply it into the industry first hand. She joined the Margaux team in January of 2023. Email Synthia
Sarah Carr
Broodmare Manager
Originally from Dublin, Ireland, Sarah developed a passion for horses and horse racing from an early age. She moved to the U.S. in 2017 to pursue a career in the Thoroughbred industry, gaining experience in both broodmare and sales divisions. Sarah joined the Margaux Farm team in 2019 and has served as Broodmare Manager since 2021. She oversees the care and development of the broodmare band and young stock and is especially passionate about watching the farm’s foals grow and progress to the racetrack. Email Sarah
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.
