Del Lowell has had a lifelong passion for horses. From early childhood, for her it was all about the horse. Growing up she rode everything from American Saddlebreds to Quarter Horses.

After High School she pursued a specialized degree in Equestrian Studies at Findlay College in Ohio. After graduation in 1982, she worked for a few years with show horses before moving to Kentucky, where Thoroughbreds were on her horizon. The common denominator in those early years was the care and management of valuable, often highly-strung, animals of considerable value, and fitting them for their intended careers.

Now 25+ years into her association with Thoroughbreds, Lowell is highly-respected in her field and recommended by many of Kentucky’s top veterinarians for her expertise in rehabilitating equine athletes. With two decades of experience using the Aqua Tred, she is one of the most knowledgeable people in the country for that form of therapy, so it was natural that when she came to LaCroix Training Center seven years ago, “ATing” became an integral part of the Center’s program.

“I’m extremely hands, involved with each and every step of our horses’ care,” she says of her role at LaCroix. All horses are treated as individuals and it’s not uncommon for us to think outside the box when it comes to keeping these athletes happy, so they can stay focused on what they have to do.”

For Lowell, it's the greatest satisfaction; seeing positive results in the equine athletes themselves. A few years back, having the Derby favorite, I Want Revenge, sent to me was something that in my wildest dreams I couldn’t have imagined. And the ultimate dream came—a probable career ending injury healed allowing him to return to graded stakes after 15 months.

“The pride that I take in this isn’t for me,” she concludes. “It’s for this tremendous animal that has a big enough heart to go out and return to what his passion is: racing.”

Mark has been involved with the race horse industry for over 30 years. He worked his way up through the ranks starting as a teen-age groom and working his way to becoming an outstanding exercise rider. He feels fortunate to have had the opportunity early in his career to learn from the superb horsemen Norm Casse of Cardinal Hill Farm in Ocala, Fla.

In 2004 he went to work for Hall of Fame Trainer Carl Nafzger and Ian Wilkes, who selected him to be the exercise rider of Breeder’s Cup Juvenile and Kentucky Derby winner, Street Sense, during his two and three-year old “Run for the Roses”.

To add to his experience, Mark has been an assistant starter at several tracks including Churchill Downs. He has been the head exercise rider at LaCroix since 2014 and now looks forward to the opportunity to manage the Breaking and Training Program. In his own words:

“LaCroix is ideal, a great facility with all the amenities; round pen, square pens, riding arena, walking/ jogging trails, and training track with a very kind surface to facilitate giving youngsters a wonderful start to their racing careers. It also has an exercise wheel, aqua tread, and turn outs.

Additionally, the facility is beautiful and tranquil, extremely conducive for keeping the youngsters relaxed and happy. What I really like, is that the facility is private…I can use it to give each individual what it needs and when it needs it, including being able to train and condition both ways of the track.”