Meet Our Team

With over 32 years in the material handling industry, Michael Kares built his business from his college dorm room to a 30-million-dollar business employing over 250 individuals nationwide.

The business is built on many components: loyalty, integrity, trust, and most importantly strong team building. Characteristics of a successful business and keys to a strong personal and professional partnership.

His passion for horse racing started at an early age. His grandfather fueled that interest by bringing Michael to the races. His natural ability and penchant for analytics made him a natural handicapper with a keen eye for evaluating a horse and it’s potential. After honing these skills over the years, Michael wants to bring the same joy, excitement, and appreciation of racing that he has to others.

A graduate of Boston College, Bernadette earned her CPA license while working in public accounting at KPMG. Throughout her 35-year career, Bernadette’s experience with Fortune 100 companies at Prudential, Goldman Sachs, and News Corporation prepared her to expand beyond accounting into business operations and management.

Born and raised among the horse farms in central New Jersey, Bernadette enjoyed both visiting the farms and attending races at Monmouth Park, NJ. Today she lives amongst the numerous horse farms in the state and it has allowed her children to experience the same love of horses she has. For Bernadette visiting the stables and attending races is a dream come true.

As a financial and management advisor to small businesses, Bernadette joined Sport of Kings Racing Partners and quickly became an integral part of the management team. She’s learned the intricate business of horse racing and participates in key decisions to move the business forward. Bernadette’s professionalism and knowledge of financial operations ensures Sport of Kings Racing Partners continues its operational goals as well as serving our partner’s needs.

A.J.’s passion for horses was fueled at an early age. He first learned to ride at four years of age, trading training wheels for stirrups.

This passion turned into a profession as A.J. began his career as an assistant to a World Champion Reigning Horse rider and trainer. A chance meeting with Founder & Partner, Michael Kares, who recognized his skills at conformation, led A.J. to becoming a bloodstock agent with Michael’s Hammer Time Stables.

Presently A.J. assists Racing Manager, Mohamed Moubarak, and the Sport of Kings team, with evaluating and procuring thoroughbreds for both Sport of Racing Partners’ Pinhook and Stable partnerships.

A.J.’s engaging and gregarious personality makes him the perfect person to be our Partner Relations manager. He assists all our partners, families, and friends with any horse or stable-related questions and will make your experience with us an enjoyable one. He looks forward to meeting you, whether at a sale, the paddock, or lifting a glass with you in the Winners Circle!