Our Story
The Justa Farm Story begins with the owner and operator Ann Betsch, a 4th generation racehorse breeder and trainer. She has been working with thoroughbreds for 50 years. Ann and her staff handle day-to-day racehorse care. When horses reach maturity, we partner with accomplished trainer Carl Doran. Together, we prepare Justa Farm thoroughbreds for great careers on the track. You can read about Carl’s accomplishments on our training page.
Ann grew up learning from her famed father, F. Bruce Miller. Miller trained racehorses for 60 years, earning over $10 million. He is best known for training legendary steeplechase horse Lonesome Glory, the 5-time winner of the Eclipse Award. You will see Lonesome Glory’s dam, Stronghold, in the pedigrees of the Justa Farm broodmares and racehorses.
Ann had ridden her first pony by the time she was one and galloped her first racehorse by seven. Soon after, she began galloping her father’s racehorses at the farm and on the track. When she attended college at the University of Delaware, she galloped horses for Ronnie Houghton. Houghton was a leading Pennsylvania thoroughbred breeder who bred stakes winners Banjo Picker and Whistle Pig. Even when Ann picked up an office job to pay the mortgage, she continued to gallop and care for thoroughbreds every morning before work. She was finally able to start her own thoroughbred farm a decade ago.
The Justa Farm Story begins with the owner and operator Ann Betsch, a 4th generation racehorse breeder and trainer. She has been working with thoroughbreds for 50 years. Ann and her staff handle day-to-day racehorse care. When horses reach maturity, we partner with accomplished trainer Carl Doran. Together, we prepare Justa Farm thoroughbreds for great careers on the track. You can read about Carl’s accomplishments on our training page.
Ann grew up learning from her famed father, F. Bruce Miller. Miller trained racehorses for 60 years, earning over $10 million. He is best known for training legendary steeplechase horse Lonesome Glory, the 5-time winner of the Eclipse Award. You will see Lonesome Glory’s dam, Stronghold, in the pedigrees of the Justa Farm broodmares and racehorses.
Ann had ridden her first pony by the time she was one and galloped her first racehorse by seven. Soon after, she began galloping her father’s racehorses at the farm and on the track. When she attended college at the University of Delaware, she galloped horses for Ronnie Houghton. Houghton was a leading Pennsylvania thoroughbred breeder who bred stakes winners Banjo Picker and Whistle Pig. Even when Ann picked up an office job to pay the mortgage, she continued to gallop and care for thoroughbreds every morning before work. She was finally able to start her own thoroughbred farm a decade ago.
Four Generations of Justa Farm
Ann gave our 50-acre farm the name Justa Farm to honor her family’s legacy. Her childhood dream had come true. Justa Farm’s orange, black, and red colors have been in the family for four generations. The original Justa Farm was established in Montgomery County, in the early 1900s. Justa Farm is still a community namesake a century later! Check it out on the map.
Four Generations of Justa Farm
Ann gave our 50-acre farm the name Justa Farm to honor her family’s legacy. Her childhood dream had come true. Justa Farm’s orange, black, and red colors have been in the family for four generations. The original Justa Farm was established in Montgomery County, in the early 1900s. Justa Farm is still a community namesake a century later! Check it out on the map.
Beyond the Track
Horses always come first at Justa Farm. Over the last decade, Ann and her staff have also used their expertise in other equestrian disciplines to retrain and rehome racehorses who are done on the track. She has sold thoroughbreds to secondary careers and made contacts with local rescue organizations to ensure that every horse she works with stays in safe hands.