Karen M. Johnson

Karen M. Johnson is Features Editor at BloodHorse. A racing journalist, editor, and author since 1985, her work has appeared in numerous racing publications. She also was recognized with an Emmy as a co-producer/writer at HRTV.

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all stories by Karen

On the Rise: Ben Bernhard

Ben Bernhard will be the first to tell you that he is very much new to racing, but he does bring something unique to his jobs as the CEO and co-founder of Stable Analytics and as vice president of...

The Life Posted November 4th, 2025 ·

Riley Mott's Breeders' Cup Moment Has Arrived With Argos

You could say trainer Riley Mott has been waiting for this moment for most of his life. Mott, 33, will saddle his first Breeders' Cup starter at this year's World Championships. He will be...

The Life Posted October 25th, 2025 ·

On the Rise: Breeders’ Cup’s Erin McLaughlin

When Erin McLaughlin graduated from University of Florida with a degree in tourism and hospitality management, and a minor in communications, there were many different directions she could have...

The Life Posted October 9th, 2025 ·

On the Rise: Ben Gowans

Networking and making the right contacts gave Ben Gowans, who had no familial ties in the business, a jumpstart and now a firm foothold in the world of Thoroughbred racing and breeding....

The Life Posted September 3rd, 2025 ·

On the Rise: Christon Jackson

Christon Jackson, a 24-year-old native of Lexington, was destined to become involved with horses, one breed or another. Jackson grew up surrounded by Arabians and Saddlebreds bred by his parents....

The Life Posted August 6th, 2025 ·

On the Rise: Trainer Amelia Green

Amelia Green, 32, left her job last fall with Hall of Fame trainer Todd Pletcher to set up her own training operation. The native of England, who rode races for a short spell, worked as an exercise...

Racing Posted July 7th, 2025 ·

Chunk of Gold Takes Trainer Ethan West, 32, to First Kentucky Derby

Ethan West, 32, didn’t expect to find himself in the position of saddling a Kentucky Derby Presented by Woodford Reserve starter so early in his training career, which launched in 2018.

The Life Posted April 29th, 2025 ·

On the Rise: Tanner Reisman

Growing up in Youngstown, a small village in upstate New York, Tanner Reisman spent more time among cows than horses. But he had a strong connection with his late grandmother, a Montana rancher, so...

The Life Posted March 27th, 2025 ·

Rare Twin Fillies by Oscar Performance Head Home Healthy and Playful

What looked like a typical day for Lori Hendrickson, who manages her family’s Meadowbrook Farm in Shelbyville, Ky., was anything but as she discovered around 2:30 in the afternoon of March 10....

The Life Posted March 18th, 2025 ·

An Unexpected, Exciting Ride for Coal Battle’s Owner Norman Stables and Trainer Briley

When Robbie Norman dispatched his two trainers, Lonnie Briley and Jayde (J.J.) Gelner, to each select a horse for him at the 2023 Texas Thoroughbred Association yearling sale, he certainly never...

The Life Posted February 18th, 2025 ·

On the Rise: Joe Moran

It was a heady year in 2024 for MyRacehorse, the microshare ownership group, that saw Seize the Grey win the Preakness Stakes and Straight No Chaser take down the

The Life Posted February 10th, 2025 ·

On the Rise: Andrew Fernung

Andrew Fernung, 35, joined the Ocala Breeders’ Sales Company in November as assistant sales coordinator. His family name draws respect in Ocala, Fla., as his father, John Fernung, was a renowned...

The Life Posted January 2nd, 2025 ·

Karen M. Johnson

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