Michael Mccarthy
THE GREAT RACE PLACE IS WHERE THE STORY STARTS
Michael was born in Ohio but grew up a few blocks away from Santa Anita Park. He began his career in racing there, gaining valuable experience under respected trainers Ben Cecil, Doug Peterson, and John O’Hara. He also broadened his international experience by working at a training center in Japan and The National Stud in England.
In August of 2002, he moved east to join Todd Pletcher’s powerhouse stable, where he spent over 11 years as foreman and assistant across major racing circuits in New York, Kentucky, and Florida.
Michael joined his wife and daughter back in Arcadia in 2013. He saddled his first official horse at Santa Anita Park in January of 2014 for Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners and the rest is history. The team has won 73 graded stakes to date.
Meet the California Team
Santa Anita and Del Mar Assistant
Felipe Rivera
Felipe is a lifelong horseman; he began his career in racing in 1981. He joined Michael McCarthy Racing as an assistant in 2019 after spending many years working as a groom for Bobby Frankel and assistant trainer to John Shirreffs, Tom Proctor and Richard Baltas.
Santa Anita and Del Mar Barn Foreman
Oneil Quevedo
Oneil began his career in the racing industry in 2001. He joined Michael's team in 2016 as a groom. Several members of his family work in the racing industry in California. In 2024 he was promoted Barn Foreman.
San Luis Rey Downs Training Center Assistant
Filemon Alvarado
Filemon has spent the entirety of his lengthy career in the racing industry on the West Coast. He worked as a jockey from 1983 to 1986 and in 1999 began training. He has spent time in Canada, Washington, Oregon before making California home. He joined Michael McCarthy Racing in 2022.
Meet the Kentucky Team
Kentucky Assistant
Justin Curran
Justin joined Michael McCarthy Racing Stables as an assistant in 2020.
Justin grew up in Ireland and graduated from the Racing Academy and Centre of Education in 2001. His career in racing has spanned the globe; working for top trainers such as Erwan Charpy in Dubai, Dermot Weld in Ireland and Todd Pletcher.
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Kentucky Barn Foreman
Luis Monroy
Luis comes from a long line of horsemen and woman. His entire family works in the racing industry.
He has worked with racehorses since 2007 himself and joined Michael McCarthy Racing Stables in 2022.
Liam The Charmer
Stable Pony
Smart Strike - Charm The Giant by Giant's Causeway
Liam's racing career spanned the globe. He was Michael's first (and only) international starter. He traveled to Doha Racecourse in Qatar in 2019 to run in The G1 Emir's Trophy. In 2018 the G2 John Henry Turf Championships at Santa Anita Park and also made a start in the G1 Breeders' Cup Turf at Churchill Downs.
Upon retiring from racing, Liam stayed in the barn. His kind and quiet disposition has made him an excellent pony. In 2025 he traveled to Churchill Downs to accompany Journalism journey to the Kentucky Derby where he finished second.
