MANAGEMENT TEAM

Marc Wampler has been involved in the thoroughbred industry since 1993.  At various points in his career he has worked as a hot-walker (see thoroughbred definitions, “agent”), groom (see thoroughbred definitions), sales show person, veterinary assistant and bloodstock agent.   All of which provided invaluable experience for his present positions as Managing Partner of Pocket Aces Racing and PHW Equine Investments. 

From 1993 to 1996 Marc worked as a groom in the yearling (see thoroughbred definitions) and broodmare (see thoroughbred definitions) divisions of the prestigious Lane’s End Farm.  Also, during that period served as hot walker and groom for the famed Calumet Racing Stable.   

From 1996 to 2000 Marc was employed by Equine Analysis Systems, Inc. where he was charged with inspecting and evaluating young racehorses, for potential private purchase, at dozens of race tracks across the United States, from Golden Gate Park (San Francisco) to Gulfstream Park (Miami) and many race tracks in between (31 to be exact).  In this capacity, Marc played an integral part in the private purchase of numerous graded stakes (see thoroughbred definitions, “stake”) winners and millionaires.  Marc also met the needs of the company’s clientele located in Dubai, Germany, France, England and Ireland.  This experience provided an excellent opportunity to evaluate some of the best breeding stock, racing prospects and racehorses in the World. 

In 2000, Marc formed Classic Thoroughbreds International, Inc., a bloodstock agency whose focus is client representation at public thoroughbred horse auctions.  Marc selected, as young racing prospects, Graded Stakes winners Artemus Sunrise, Tiberius Caesar and Stakes winners Chan Chan and Three in the Bag.  The agency also served as Racing Manager for Rich Meadow Farm and helped guide their homebred (see thoroughbred definitions), Slew Valley, to victories in the Grade 2 King Edward Breeders’ Cup and the Grade 3 Connaught Cup. 

Currently Marc holds the positions of Managing Partner for Pocket Aces Racing and PHW Equine Investment, a private investment group that grossed over $380,000 in sales for first year and is anticipating a banner year in 2006 with the sales of 6 excellent foals (see thoroughbred definitions) in November. 

He is primarily responsible for horse selection, sales representation, horse related personnel and race management. 

Jared Shoemaker is a lifelong fan of the thoroughbred horse racing industry.  He holds a Master’s Degree in Sport Management from the University of Kentucky.  After a brief stint in the private sector, Jared spent 9 years as the Assistant Director of Athletics and Director of Sports Information at Shawnee State University in Portsmouth, OH.  He recently began working for Eli Lilly and Company as a pharmaceutical sales representative.

He is primarily responsible for member relations, communications, and financial management. 

Alan Burkhard has been in and out of racing since 1959 when he worked as a hot walker at Delaware Park.  He began The Placers, a staffing service in the mid-Atlantic, in 1972.  He sold the business in 1997.  He currently owns a waste management company and two restaurants in Delaware.  He has been a thoroughbred owner for the past 20 years and currently lives on a small horse farm in Chesapeake City, MD.