J & M Bloodstock, LLC

ice” as Marcus says, and sell them for somebody new to enjoy. Over the years, this experience with horses only enhanced his natural affinity and fostered his horsemanship. In Ireland, he worked for small farms as well as large operations like Juddmonte – always riding; always learning. Determined to make his way to America to watch a Kentucky Derby, Marcus flew from Shannon, Ireland to New York City. New York City was a spectacle for a kid from rural Ireland. With $250.00 in his pocket (most of which the cab ride devoured), he went straight to Belmont Park. During his time in New York, he was able to ride for some of the greatest trainers our sport has known. But, even better than that, he rode some of the greatest horses. He threw a leg over Saint Liam, Ghostzapper, Kip Deville, Funny Cide, Benny the Bull, Victory Ride, Spook Express, Offlee Wild and hundreds of others who he, remarkably, remembers with detailed clarity. He has intimate stories about many of them – some entertaining; some surprising. He has had the opportunity to travel and to go to many tracks in the eastern United States. But eventually, he journeyed to Kentucky and the Derby. He watched Monarchos win the Derby at Churchill Downs, something his small town friends thought was pure fantasy. He fulfilled one of his that day. Now, he trains horses himself and he still throws a leg over them. Adding a trainer’s license in 2014 to his credentials, he is about to begin another journey . . . .maybe it leads to a Derby (I personally hope for a trip to the Dubai Cup, the Arlington Million or the Oaks) but surely it will lead to some exciting times doing something that he loves.