Legacy Building Solutions

BY SARAH WELK BAYNUM

Susan Fowler is the equine division building & project design consultant at Legacy Building Solutions, a corporate sponsor of the Florida Thoroughbred Breeders’ & Owners’ Association. 

However, before helping the Thoroughbred industry professionally, Fowler has been around the Thoroughbred industry for most of her life. 

“I basically grew up on the backstretch of Gulfstream Park. My dad Jacinto Herrera, came from Cuba, and all he knew was the horse industry. His family owned the property that the racetrack Oriental Park in Havana was built on. He started as a groom, an assistant trainer, than became a trainer.

I grew up in the city of Hallandale where Gulfstream is, and my dad worked the circuit. He did Gulfstream, Calder Race Course, Hialeah Park, and Tropical Park. My whole childhood was in the racing industry, and as an adult, I migrated toward businesses that incorporated the equine industry,” Fowler said.

For many years, Fowler worked for the National Thoroughbred Racing Association (NTRA) before she was approached by Legacy Building Solutions.

“Legacy builds fabric structures, and they started as an install company for other companies before realizing those other companies weren’t really doing it right. They branched off and started doing their own thing, which was mostly military aviation. But the agricultural people started saying, wow, these fabric structures could really work for us, too! I was hired to bring our business into the equine industry specifically, and for the past five years now, we have been building arenas, training centers, and we’re even working on some racetracks,” explains Fowler. 

Fowler knew there was a need for their product especially in the Florida Thoroughbred industry because of the Florida heat. 

“Because our product is cooler than metal buildings, they are perfect for Florida’s heat. We work with the FTBOA to promote our product and promote them—we work hand in hand,” says Fowler.

For Fowler, being a part of this industry has a special place in her heart. 

“For me, being in the Florida racing industry and going to the races— those are the fondest memories I have. It started with going to races with my dad growing up and now I still get to be part of it. The year American Pharoah won the Triple Crown, the entire FTBOA group was in New York on their own enjoying it. Spending time with them and seeing that history is a memory that will stay with me the rest of my life!

I also remember one year going with the Florida Thoro-bred Fillies to Tampa Bay Downs, and got to join the winning jockey in the winner circle.  Going to the races and watching the horses is always a memory you carry with you. On those days, I get to enjoy being a part of the sport that I love, as well as with the people I love and admire,” Fowler said.

In 2025, Fowler says there are a lot of projects she’s excited about to help even more of Florida’s Thoroughbred industry.

“We have a lot of training centers that are interested in our product, and we’re hoping that in 2025 that we can help them with building fabric training center structures here in Florida. I’m also excited to continue working very closely with the FTBOA.” Fowler said.

Return to the January 14 issue of Wire to Wire