The anticipated day had finally come at Sugarbrook Farm: the young filly known only by the unusual alphanumeric name “Volatile Printer’s Row 24” was now home. According to Brandi Jenkins, who adopted the 2-year-old Thoroughbred over the summer, the halter name represents her sire, Volatile, her dam, Printer’s Row, and her birth year, 2024. Originally intended for a yearling sale, the filly simply didn’t take to racing.
Brandi shared, “I always hoped to adopt her if I could. It was a long shot, but now she’s with me. I was told I could rename her but haven’t decided yet—so for now, I call her ‘Princess.’”
Brandi graduated from the Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation’s Second Chances Program at Lowell Correctional Institution in Ocala, Florida, where she first met Princess while working for Colin Brennan Bloodstock. Colin is connected to a family deeply involved in Thoroughbred breeding and aftercare — his father Niall Brennan and stepmother Stephanie Brennan are key advocates for life after racing.
Niall Brennan Racing has long been a destination for Second Chances alumni from Lowell. Brandi followed in the footsteps of Lauren Vannucci and Juliann “Jules” Stowell, who now serve as Director of Client Relations and Equine Coordinator at the stable, respectively.
Among the three women, Brandi had the most horse experience, particularly with Thoroughbreds. Born in Ocala, her grandfather George May managed Red Oak Stable for the late John Brunetti, owner of the iconic Hialeah Park racetrack, known as “The Saratoga of the South.”
Brandi reminisced, “I rode my first horse at 2 years old. Later, a neighbor was taking riding lessons, which inspired me to pursue riding. I showed horses in junior divisions and dreamt of being an oceanographer for a while, but horses always pulled me back.”
Brandi eventually married Robert Jenkins, son of respected Mid-Atlantic Thoroughbred trainer Rodney Jenkins, and spent time between Virginia and Florida. Unfortunately, her life took a difficult turn, leading to an arrest for burglary and a sentence of six years at Lowell, the nation’s second-largest women’s prison.
There, she learned about a horse program visible from her cell but only accessible by earning acceptance. After almost five years, Brandi joined the TRF Second Chances Program, a turning point in her life.
John Evans, Lowell’s Second Chances Farm manager for 18 years until his 2023 retirement, welcomed Brandi and offered some eye-opening advice: “You drifted away from horses—and that’s what got you into trouble,” he told her.
He encouraged her to keep learning and dedicating herself to horses. “I already knew a lot, but at Second Chances, I learned even more—including farm work and daily horse care,” Brandi noted.
The program involved more than caring for horses—it meant maintaining barns, yards, and repairing or building new facilities to provide the best environment for retired racehorses.
Working closely with the horses gave Brandi peace and a renewed sense of purpose, preparing her for life beyond prison. The Brennan family helped refine her skills, and soon she joined Colin Brennan’s bloodstock company in Ocala and Highlander Training Center in Texas, where Colin serves as Trainer and Director of Sales, and his sister Kristen as Yearling Manager.
Colin had bought two weanlings with plans for yearling sales—one went to Hall of Fame trainer Bob Baffert, the other was Princess. Unfortunately, Princess did not meet the reserve price at the sale and was returned to Colin’s father to be prepared for a two-year-old sale.
Brandi explained, “You grow attached to the horses you work with, and Princess was one of the first. She’s classy and beautiful, and I told Colin if she ever needed a home, I’d take her. It turned out she had no interest in racing, so I was ready.”
Brandi’s job at Sugarbrook Farm, run by Sandy Holbrook—a family she’s known since junior high—helped make the adoption possible. Sandy’s daughter Kelly, a Tampa attorney, shared that she and Brandi were childhood riding partners who hadn’t kept in close contact until recently.
Kelly remarked, “Brandi was a lifesaver this past year. With my dad’s passing and my busy schedule, Brandi has stepped in to care for the farm and family. I trust her completely. She’s not just doing a job; horses are her heart and soul.”
The only hesitation about adopting Princess was housing a large Thoroughbred mare among Sugarbrook’s longtime pony residents. But Princess’s gentle nature won everyone over, including a retired broodmare pony named Molly, who finally found a companion.
At 16.3 hands tall, Princess is notably the tallest resident at Sugarbrook Farm and has become a meaningful presence for Brandi.
“TRF Second Chances changed my life,” Brandi said. “I feel calmer, more focused, and committed to doing right by my family and the horses. They’re the best therapists, soothing your soul. I’m grateful to have adopted Princess; we’ve come full circle, and she’s exactly where she belongs.”
Fan Take: This story highlights the incredible impact of aftercare programs not just on retired racehorses but also on the people whose lives racing touches. It’s a powerful reminder that supporting Thoroughbred life beyond the track enriches the sport’s community and preserves its heart and soul.
Source: www.yahoo.com
