Sisterston checking off boxes with first win as trainer
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Jack Sisterson is no stranger to the big stages. As an assistant to Doug O’Neill, Sisterson was there to help send I’ll Have Another to the 2012 Kentucky Derby winner’s circle and do the same with Nyquist in 2016.
Now based out of Keeneland, Sisterson has joined Calumet Farm as a private trainer, scoring his first win only a few months into his career with Next Dance, a homebred 2-year-old filly by Calumet’s 2013 Preakness Stakes winner Oxbow.
“She acted like a forward filly that would be precocious,” Sisterson said. “Those types make our job easier.”
The announcement that Sisterson was joining Calumet came in May, and he saddled his first horse as a trainer in July. Less than a month later on Aug. 12, Next Dance delivered the first win of Sisterson’s training career.
The filly was making her career debut at Belterra Park, going six furlongs in a maiden special weight event. She sat off the pace under jockey Carlos Villasana, took over the lead in the stretch and kept the favorite at bay, winning by 2 ¾ lengths in 1:12.22.
Describing his Keeneland stable as an “open barn,” with horses coming and going, Sisterson sees Calumet’s whole operation as a team. That includes the horses in his care.
“Here at Calumet we work together,” he said. “Each horse in the barn plays its own role.”
Sisterson got in touch with Calumet through his former role as an assistant to O’Neill. With Calumet horses in the O’Neill stable, Sisterson was able to connect with the operation and other clients when he traveled for the West Coast trainer.
“It has been fantastic having Jack on the team at Calumet,” said the farm’s general manager, Eddie Kane. “He has an unbelievable work ethic and enthusiasm for the game. He is going to accomplish great things for the farm.”
A native of England, the 33-year-old grew up attending the races in his home country and his family also owned a couple horses.
“I have two sisters and one brother, and we shared a pony and rode growing up,” Sisterson said. “I fell in love from day one.”
Sisterson also played soccer in his home country, and continued to do so stateside. He attended the University of Louisville’s Equine Industry Program and, in addition to pursuing a career with horses, he played on the university’s soccer team.
“[It was] a dream come true,” Sisterson said of his college career. “Getting an education, playing a sport you love, and working in a sport you love.”
Before working for O’Neill as an assistant, Sisterson hotwalked horses for Todd Pletcher and also worked under Eddie Kenneally. After joining O’Neill’s barn, he spent time as an account executive at Eaton Sales before returning to the track with O’Neill.
Now heading up his own string of horses, Sisterson takes each day as it comes with them, but it was also keeping his eye on the road ahead that got him into the winner's circle.
“Growing up, my parents and soccer coaches always taught me to set goals and have them visible at all times. Going into my first job I thought, ‘How is it possible to go from this to a trainer?’”
Sisterson believes part of achieving goals is working hard and staying positive, and the mindset appears to be working as he continues to reach goals at Calumet.
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