MARK ROBERTS

Mark Roberts has been involved in nearly every facet of the Thoroughbred industry during the past 25 years. While still in high school and through college at Eastern Kentucky University, he worked for Hermitage Farm. After getting his degree in Agriculture, with a minor in Business Administration, Roberts became the broodmare manager at North Ridge Farm. Following that, he put in a stint as stallion manager at Three Chimneys Farm.

Moving on to the racetrack, Roberts served as shedrow foreman for trainer John Ward and then as assistant trainer to Jimmy Crupi. It was his association with Crupi that led him to Ocala, where the two became partners in Desmond Castle Farm in 1990.

For the past seven years, Roberts has served as manager for Frank Stronach’s Adena Springs South. That operation encompasses some 5,500 acres spread out over several farms in the Ocala area. Divisions of Adena Springs South include broodmares, stallions, training, and even an annual two-year-olds in training sale.

Roberts also maintains his own Thoroughbred businesses, including breeding, pinhooking, and racing. Roberts, a licensed trainer, saddled his first winner two years ago at Calder.

Roberts is on the board of the National Association of Two-Year-Old Consignors (NATC).