Our Team

Felipe Rivera (CA Assistant Trainer)

Felipe has spent much his life dedicated to thoroughbred horses. He began his racing career in 1981 as a hot-walker. Shortly thereafter, he became a groom for a little over 10 years, working most of those years for Bobby Frankel. Felipe was an assistant trainer to John Shirreffs, Tom Proctor and Richard Baltas before becoming an assistant to Michael McCarthy in 2019. Felipe is married to Yohana and they have three children. Two of his sons have benefited from the Edwin J. Gregson Foundation grant program.

Justin Curran (KY Assistant Trainer)

Justin grew up in Blessington, Ireland - not far from the Curragh Racecourse. He graduated from the Racing Academy and Centre of Education in 2001 and went on to work for several leading trainers throughout the world: Todd Pletcher in the US, Erwan Charpy in Dubai and Dermot Weld in Ireland. Justin now calls Louisville (KY) home and he began working as an assistant to Michael McCarthy in 2020. He feels lucky that his career in the industry has allowed him to work with such standout horses as Rags to Riches, Scat Daddy, City of Light, Media Puzzle, Refuse to Bend and countless others. Justin is married to Katie and they have two children.