J.J. Pletcher and Betty Massey opened the doors to Payton Training Center in 1999, with a stable of 11 horses. By the end of their first year of operation, over
115 yearlings had been broken, trained and shipped to the racetrack. From that first crop over 14% of the graduates went on to become stakes winners, including notable grade I runners Victory Ride, Morethanready, Left Bank and the exceptional New York grass horse Sharp Performance.
J.J. has designed, built and managed 3 other training centers besides PTC. His experience with training centers, as well as his lifetime of experience with racehorses (25 years of which were spent at the racetrack) served him well while developing PTC. He designed the 5/8 mile track with wide, sweeping curves to accommodate young legs. Each turn measures 700 feet from inner rail to inner rail, creating a gentle curve radius of 350 feet. Equipped with a dual rail sprinkler system to assist in maintaining surface consistency, the professionally designed track is also equipped with super strong and super lightweight inner and outer steel rails; a state-of-the-art safety feature for horse and rider.
The two 100 foot diameter enclosed free walkers are each capable of accommodating 8 horses. Fitted with a 6 inch, shaved rubber base, these walkers possess the most advanced technology money can buy. Both of the two 48-stall, perimeter shed row barns are equipped with fans, automatic waterers and insect control devices.
Website: http://www.paytontraining.com