Mentee Moments - Angelina Shumaker
Angelina with Streak of Luck at Taylor Made Farm.
Mentee Moments is a blog series created by Amplify Horse Racing to showcase the experiences of mentees in our mentorship program. Each mentee brings their own unique perspective, and through these stories, we hope to give readers a glimpse of what it’s like to learn, explore, and grow within the Thoroughbred industry.
Angelina Shumaker is 18 years old and from Reading, Pennsylvania. This fall, she began her studies at the University of Kentucky, majoring in Equine Science and Management.
Her introduction to racing came at a young age through her late grandfather, a devoted fan of the sport. Four years ago, Angelina purchased her first off-the-track Thoroughbred (OTTB), an experience that inspired her to learn more about his life on the track and fueled her passion for Thoroughbreds. Angelina was matched by Amplify with mentor Jessica Paquette, track announcer for Parx Racing and the first woman to ever call a Grade 1 race. Read about her experience at the Keeneland September meet below!
I had the incredible opportunity to attend the Keeneland September Yearling Sale for the very first time with some of my friends. I am participating in Amplify’s mentorship program virtually, and my amazing mentor has already taught me so much about what to look for when evaluating yearlings. Thanks to her guidance, I was able to put that knowledge into practice at the sale and start spotting some of those qualities in the horses I saw.
One of the most exciting parts of the day was seeing [yearlings] by some of my favorite sires, including Justify, Flightline, Not This Time, and Good Magic. Walking through the shedrows was such a thrill—not only to admire the yearlings, but also to see the incredible care their grooms provide. I also enjoyed observing bloodstock agents back at the barns as they carefully assessed the horses, studying every detail before making their decisions.
“I’m so thankful to Amplify for providing this mentorship experience. It has already opened so many doors for me, and I can’t wait to see where the journey goes next.”
Another highlight was learning how to read the sale catalogues. Being able to flip through the pages, connect pedigrees, and then walk out to see those yearlings in person really brought everything to life.
Looking ahead, I can’t wait to come back to Keeneland in October, especially to watch my favorite filly, Thorpedo Anna, compete in the Juddmonte Spinster! This experience has left me with even more questions that I’m excited to take back to my mentor. Most importantly, it gave me a big boost of confidence to continue chasing my dreams in the racing industry.
I’m so thankful to Amplify for providing this mentorship experience. It has already opened so many doors for me, and I can’t wait to see where the journey goes next.
- Angelina Shumaker (Fall 2025 Mentee)
Learn more about the Amplify Horse Racing Mentorship program here!
