Jon Green's passion for horse racing began in childhood, accompanying his uncle Marty to Monmouth Park on the Jersey Shore. Marty, always impeccably dressed in three-piece suits, would hand his nephew winning tickets after each race, though the young Jon was unaware that his uncle strategically purchased tickets on every horse in every race.
Four decades later, Green has shifted from youthful luck to sound business practices, transforming his colt Sandman into one of the frontrunners for the 151st Kentucky Derby scheduled for Saturday.
By forming strategic partnerships, rebranding the family-operated stable, launching a podcast, and engaging a social media influencer with nearly 10 million followers to promote Sandman, Green represents a new wave of industry leaders striving to revitalize a declining sport facing dwindling athletes and bettors.
Today, DJ Stable, managed by Green and his father, is a thriving $30-million-a-year enterprise involved in breeding, purchasing, and selling horses across Kentucky, New York, and Europe. Having sold his financial planning firm, Green understands the old adage of horse racing success: becoming a millionaire typically requires starting as a billionaire.
Green emphasizes that profitability in horse racing is achievable with a disciplined business approach. "You can make money in horse racing, maybe not every year, if you run it like a business," he explains. "It requires a clear strategy and dedication. I transitioned from managing $500 million with a 40-hour workweek to working 60 hours weekly in a much smaller operation."
