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Mike Oliveto, Co-founder, CEO
Hibiscus Stables co-founder Mike Oliveto is a lifelong New Yorker who's had a passion for horseracing since his teens. Mike has been successfully running businesses since his 20s and in 2003 he along with Hayes and Schwab launched Hibiscus. As the CEO Mike has ultimate responsibility for all management decisions including trainers, purchases, claims, race entries, breeding, and everything else involved in running a racing stable. Mike's management approach, however, is very laissez-faire. Mike said, "Although I insist on information and updates on a daily basis, I don't believe in micromanaging. It's counter-productive. It's much more beneficial to team with the best of the best and then allow them to exercise their skills and expertise. In our commitment to excellence and success we've assembled a team of all-stars. If you look down this page you'll see a dream team of Thoroughbred experts. We just step aside and allow them to do what they do best and we find that's win-win all around."
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Doris Ann Hayes, Co-founder, COO
Hibiscus Stables co-founder Doris Ann Hayes, or DA as she's commonly known, was born and raised in New York and has had a love of horseracing for as long as she can remember. DA handles many administrative duties along with client relations and client functions. She's also the stable's pedigree expert.
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Al Schwab, Co-founder
Hibiscus Stables co-founder Al Schwab lived in New York his entire life and had a passion for horseracing since his teens. It was Al's inspiration and vision that directly led to the creation of Hibiscus Stables. Al's involvement in the client side of the business contributed to countless numbers of partners being introduced to the thrills and enjoyment of Thoroughbred ownership. Al has since passed away and, although he's no longer with us in body, he is always present in spirit. Al's imprint will be part of Hibiscus Stables forever.
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Jon Taisey, EVP Sales and Client Relations
Jon Taisey has been a New York resident his entire life and was raised in the Upstate region just minutes from historic Saratoga race track. Jon's passion for horses started at the age of 5 when he began riding lessons. From there he never looked back. Growing up in Saratoga Jon quickly grew an interest in horse racing and has been around the industry for the last 25 years taking in all aspects of the game. He also gained a love of horse racing from his grandfather who was himself a horseman spending much of his time at various race tracks on and around Long Island. Jon holds a Master's Degree and currently runs his family business, The Medbery Inn and Spa, in Ballston Spa, New York. Jon has been part of the Hibiscus family since 2008, first as a partner and now as a member of the executive team. Jon is responsible for sales of Thoroughbred shares and is the primary partner liaison making certain that every partner receives the maximum experience as a Thoroughbred owner. Jon strives for excellence in every task he undertakes and loves working with clients ensuring that they enjoy every aspect of being involved in the game.
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Nicole Schwab, EVP Marketing
Nicole Schwab is the daughter of founding partner Al Schwab. Nicole is a 2014 graduate of prestigious Bryant University where she graduated as a member of the Honors Program, Dean's List, The President Scholarship, Omicron Delta Kappa Honor Society and achieved many other academic recognitions. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with a concentration in Marketing. Nicole currently works for MEC in New York City where she works to compile effective client digital marketing campaigns. Nicole also worked at NBC/Universal and Westfair Business Communication. Nicole is responsible for the development and execution of the entire Hibiscus advertising and marketing strategy. She shares her father's love for the game and has a heart-felt passion to grow his legacy.
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Sean Feld, Breedingstock Specialist
Sean Feld is a third generation horseman who graduated from the University of Kentucky in 2009 with a BS in Agricultural Economics. His father is prominent bloodstock agent Bob Feld. Sean hot walked his first horse at 5, learned how to read the racing form at 8 and owned part of his first horse at 10. He has worked for the historic Walmac and Spendthrift Farms and currently stands Bullet Train in Lexington, Kentucky. Sean attends every major sale where he actively buys, sells, and pinhooks weanlings, yearlings, 2-year-olds, and breeding prospects. Sean is the primary advisor for Hibiscus Stables' breeding program.
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Steve Klesaris, Trainer, NY, FL
Top trainer Steve Klesaris is a lifelong horseman who grew up on the backstretch as the son of trainer Peter Klesaris. Steve has campaigned G1 winners Sky Diva and Mani Bhavan along with numerous other G2 and G3 winners. Steve conditioned Breeders' Cup runner up Miraculous Miss and Breeders' Cup third place finisher Sky Diva. Steve has earned over $53,000,000 in his career. Steve's primary base is in the Midlantic region and he also has a string at Gulfstream Park in Florida. Steve is Hibiscus Stables' primary trainer of 2-year-olds and and also partners with Hibiscus with most horses. he trains
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Chris Englehart, Trainer, NY
Leading trainer Chris Englehart has been training horses in New York since 1973. Chris is the perennial leading trainer at Finger Lakes and he recently established a permanent string at NYRA. He came within one victory of tying the modern-day NYRA record for consecutive triumphs by a single trainer with seven straight wins at Aqueduct. Chris is a multiple stakes winning trainer. He's won over 4400 races and earned over $55,000,000 in his career. He's one of Hibiscus Stables' claiming partnership trainers in New York and primary trainer at Finger Lakes.
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Jeff Runco, Trainer, WV
Leading trainer Jeff Runco has been training horses since 1984. Jeff campaigned graded stakes millionaire Researcher along with many other stakes winners. Jeff is one of the leading trainers at Charles Town on a yearly basis, has won over 4300 races, and earned over $56,000,000 in his career. Jeff's primary base is Charles Town. He is Hibiscus Stables' primary trainer in West Virginia.
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Rick Violette, Trainer, NY
Rick Violette was a professional Thoroughbred trainer since 1983. Rick campaigned G1 winners Dream Rush and Man From Wicklow along with numerous other G2 and G3 winners. In 2014 Rick campaigned New York-bred Samraat and in 2015 New York-bred Upstart both sent on the Kentucky Derby trail. Rick dedicated his career to Thoroughbred racing in New York. Rick served as Chairman of the New York Jockey Injury Compensation Fund for more than a decade and had been the President of the National Thoroughbred Horsemen's Association and a member of the Board of Directors of NYTHA for many years. Rick performed an invaluable role for NYTHA in the formation of programs such as English as a second language and the Groom Development Program for backstretch employees. As a trainer Rick earned over $44,000,000 in his career. Rick's primary base was in New. Rick passed away in 2018 yet his contributions to the industry will carry on forever. Rick was not only a trainer of our horses but also a colleague, a mentor, and most important, a friend. He will be a member of our team forever.
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