Jaime Roth Talks Racehorse Ownership and More

The Life
Racehorse owner Jaime Roth and her homebred filly With Honors. (Courtesy Jaime Roth)

After jumping into the game just six years ago, Jaime Roth’s family stable LNJ Foxwoods already has several graded stakes winners and a successful breeding operation. Learn about her experiences in racing, some of her favorite horses, and more in this Q&A. Follow her on Twitter (@fijithegreat or @LNJFoxwoods) and Instagram to keep up with the stable’s runners.

If you'd like to learn more about becoming a Thoroughbred owner, visit OwnerView.com for resources on everything from licensing to trainers to vet clinics. You can also register for their ownership conference, held Breeders' Cup week in Louisville, Ky., this year.


Name: Jaime Roth

Hometown: Great Neck, N.Y.

Constellation wins the La Brea Stakes. (BENOIT photo)

Years as an owner: Six years

Horses owned (currently): 17 horses currently racing

Horses owned (lifetime): 35 horses raced lifetime

Best horse owned: Constellation was our best racehorse. She raced at the highest level as a 2-, 3- and 4-year old. She was Grade 1 placed at 2, a Grade 1 winner at 3 and Grade 1 placed at 4.  She raced 14 times and was in the money 11 times making over $600,000 on the track. We just retired her and she will be bred to Curlin. But Dreamologist is my favorite racehorse owned because she is our beautiful, royally bred Grade 3 winner and (will be) our foundation mare. She is also a fan favorite of many. (Her nickname is “the unicorn” and she sure looks like one too. ;)

Best win(s): Nickname’s Grade 1 Frizette because it was our first Grade 1 win and it was my dad’s 65th birthday. Another of our favorite wins was Constellation’s Grade 1 La Brea because it’s the last filly 3-year-old Grade 1 sprint of the year and it was our goal for her all year. In horse racing when you set a goal rarely does it happen, so that was pretty special.

Profession/what I do: Horse owner and breeder

Best experience as an owner: Being in Deauville for our homebred Golden Valentine’s Grade 3 win in the Prix Minerve. Still to this day, I cannot put into words what that win meant to LNJ Foxwoods. To be among horse racing’s most elite and famous operations, and on top of that have won with a homebred with her bloodlines, was just extraordinary.

Jaime's dad leads Nickname into the winner's circle.
Jaime's dad leads Nickname into the winner's circle. (Adam Coglianese/NYRA)

How I became a Thoroughbred owner: Timing is everything. I was a self proclaimed Rachel Alexandra fan that wanted to get into the business but with no real plan or idea how too. A chance visit with bloodstock agent, Alex Solis, at Del Mar racetrack the summer of 2012 changed everything and the rest is history.

What I like about Thoroughbred racing: The sense of pride I feel when a jockey walks into the paddock wearing our silks. This always brings a smile to my face no matter how nervous I am at that moment.

Best advice to someone considering ownership: Surround yourself with a good team of people who you can trust. Horse racing is an extremely difficult sport with a lot of highs and lows, so you need a thick skin and a ton of patience.

Favorite place at the racetrack to watch a race: This is a tricky question. It depends on the track, my mood and who’s running.

How do you pick the names of your racehorses: I must say this is one of my favorite parts of owning horses. I love naming my babies and I put a lot of effort into it. I try and incorporate the mare’s and stallion’s names in a clever way or if they have a unique feature I try and make use of that. For example, Constellation had Birdcatcher marks (small, white spots) all over her that reminded me of a starry night sky. Bowie has one blue eye, so she is named after the late rock star David Bowie. And, we now have a homebred 2-year-old with one of my favorite names of all time. We named her Dogtag because her mom’s name is Diamond Necklace and her sire is War Front. I can’t wait for her to run!

Favorite horse auction of the year: Fasig-Tipton Saratoga. I love the electricity of the night auction and it’s a great excuse to spend a long weekend in Saratoga. Plus, my father is part owner of Salt and Char restaurant and the Adelphi hotel, so Saratoga is a very special place for my family.

The LNJ Foxwoods team in the winner's circle after the Prix Minerve
The LNJ Foxwoods team in the winner's circle after the Prix Minerve (Courtesy Jaime Roth)

My top three favorite racetracks, in order: Santa Anita, Del Mar, and Chantilly

Three words that define what Thoroughbred racing means to me: Passion, pride, and ambition

My out-of-the-box idea for Thoroughbred racing: It’s not quite out of the box, but since we are still waiting on it, I would say a national governing body for the sport.

My favorite childhood memory: Some of my greatest moments are playing sports, especially when I would be one of two girls playing on the boys’ teams. It was always fun shaking hands at the end of the game to the amusement of many boys who couldn’t believe how good my friend and I were! News flash—girls can play sports too!

Most influential person in my career: My bloodstock agent and good friend, Alex Solis.  He has taught me so much in just six years.  LNJ Foxwoods would not be where it is today without him. The saying “experience is the best teacher” couldn’t be more true for him. He’s been spending his days at the track since he was 2 years old; his understanding and knowledge of horse racing is not something that can be learned by reading books.

When I was 6, I wanted to be: A “SportsCenter” anchor

Other sports/teams I follow: I’m a sports fanatic. I love all sports, but particularly basketball.  I love the Golden State Warriors. Go dubs! And my Wisconsin Badgers. On Wisconsin!

A fact about myself that might surprise those who know me:  I scored 48 points in a high school basketball game against our rival and I was a member of the national lacrosse team. Also, I used to figure skate competitively.

My heroes: I’d say my parents for not only giving me the opportunity to pursue my passion, but also supporting me.

The entire LNJ Foxwoods team, from left: Brittney Solis, Alex Solis, Jason Litt, Jaime's wife Olga, Jaime, Jaime's parents Larry and Nancy.
The entire LNJ Foxwoods team, from left: Brittany and Alex Solis, Jason Litt, Jaime's wife Olga, Jaime, Jaime's parents Larry and Nanci. (Courtesy Jaime Roth)

Favorite non-Thoroughbred racing sports event I have attended: Watching the New York Rangers win Game 7 of the 1994 Stanley Cup Finals.

Most treasured possession/memento: All my winner’s circle pictures.  I keep them in a leather binder on my coffee table.  When I’m having a bad day I open it and go through each picture and remember that day and what it meant. Each win is different, but the one thing they have in common is the ability to make me look back and appreciate where I am today.

What book(s) I am reading or have recently read: I’m currently reading two books: one about meditation called “A Path with Heart” by Jack Kornfield and the second, “Robert Sangster: Tycoon of the Turf” by Roy David.

Hobbies away from Thoroughbred racing: I’m a fitness freak. I love hitting the gym and I love to run.

My favorite athletes of all time: Patrick Ewing

Favorite foods: Sushi

If I could be a guest on any TV talk show it would be: “The Jim Rome Show.” Love the guy. His knowledge of sports is unrivaled and not only is he a great friend and partner, but more importantly he is a great person.

Top five websites I visit daily: In no order; espn.com, bloodhorse.com, cnn.com, architecturaldigest.com, and my guilty pleasure net-a-porter.com

Favorite musician/band: Counting Crows

Jaime with Jim Rome in the Del Mar paddock. (Courtesy Jaime Roth)

I’d like to have dinner with the following three people in racing: Queen Elizabeth, Barbara Banke, and Richard Mandella

I’d like to have dinner with the following three people outside of racing: Barack Obama, Oprah, and Steve Kerr.

Accomplishment I am most proud of: Starting the Horses First Fund at Thoroughbred Charities of America. It was started in 2016 as a resource for Thoroughbreds in need of emergency aid. The support for the fund has been extraordinary and because of that, we have been able to quickly assist horses in devastating situations whether in Kentucky, Puerto Rico, and/or California. If you get a moment, please check out the fund at tca.org.

Things I collect: Wine, whiskey, and art.

Favorite authors: Laura Hillenbrand

No. 1 Bucket List Item: To win a Grade 1 with a homebred.

Favorite animal other than a horse: Miniature pinschers

What actor would play me in a movie: Jodie Foster

Country you’ve never been to but desire to visit: Without question, Japan.

Favorite month of the year: June because it’s the start of the summer.

What apps are on your phone: Instagram, Twitter, Horse Races Now, and a bunch of finance apps.

What is your go-to or signature bet to make at the racetrack: I don’t bet.

Jaime and her family after the 2015 Breeders' Cup.
Jaime and her family after the 2015 Breeders' Cup. (Courtesy Jaime Roth)

Do you play fantasy sports: Fantasy basketball

If you could pick walk-up music that would play whenever your horse(s) entered a winner’s circle after a win, what song would you pick: "One Shining Moment"

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