Laurine Fuller-Vargas has devoted her entire life to Thoroughbreds and the racing industry. She’s a third-generation horseman and as a child spent every moment possible in the barn or at the racetrack. She learned everything from picking feet, walking hots and rolling bandages to rehabbing injured horses and galloping racehorses.
Fuller-Vargas moved to her family farm in Florida in 2006. Her duties included all aspects of the industry including breaking/training babies, sales prep, breeding mares, foaling, race training and racing horses year-round in Florida to aftercare of retired racehorses.
At age 12, Fuller-Vargas became Massachusetts’ youngest licensed racehorse owner and in 2008 her dreams came true when she saddled Ask Queenie, the eventual all-time richest Massachusetts-bred, to her first win as a licensed trainer. She knew then that she would never go a day without horses in her life.
Today, after many years of devotion and leadership to her grandfather’s legacy, the 65-acre Cedar Lock Farm, remains a thriving farm and home to more than 40 Thoroughbreds. It is also home to the locally beloved Run for the Ribbons.
Fuller-Vargas founded Run for the Ribbons Inc. in 2014, a 501c3 program dedicated to improving the lives of off-the-track Thoroughbreds.
Her most recent endeavor, the Ring the Bell Initiative started at Tampa Bay Downs this year, has helped raise money to support Thoroughbred’s to transitioning to safe and productive post-race careers.
Fuller-Vargas truly cares about the horses and the integrity of the industry and feels she has a lot to offer the Florida Thoroughbred Breeders’ and Owners’ Association and their members.
She lives in Morriston, Fla. with her family and is currently finishing her degree with a goal of becoming a high school math teacher for the town of Williston.
She is hopeful her continued education will help Run For the Roses navigate through its next chapter of launching an equine assisted learning program for children.
