Lindsay Schultz, the Woman Who Made History in the Haskell Stakes

Less than five years after founding her own stable, the trainer secured the first G1 victory of her career with Baby Vino, becoming the first woman to win the signature classic at Monmouth Park—a triumph that promises to permanently transform a trajectory built on hard work and perseverance

OCEANPORT, New Jersey (Special for Turf Diario).- While much of the racing world was still talking about the upset victory by Baby Vino in the Haskell Stakes (G1), Lindsay Schultz was already back at work. Just hours after securing the most significant win of her career, the trainer left Monmouth Park and traveled to Saratoga, where the rest of her stable was waiting.

That detail sums up the personality of a horsewoman who, with just five seasons running her own public stable, has written a historic page for American racing better than any speech could.

Saturday's triumph turned Schultz into the first female trainer to win the Haskell since the race was created in 1968, and it arrived with the very first G1 starter she had ever saddled. The achievement takes on even greater magnitude considering Baby Vino broke from the gate as a 28-1 outsider before punching his ticket to the Breeders' Cup Classic (G1).

While Lindsay kept to her routine, her parents, Bill Schultz and Kathy Schultz, took advantage of Sunday morning to visit the hero of the day at his Monmouth Park barn. Still overcome with emotion, they reflected on their daughter's journey.

"We are immensely proud of her. It is hard to find words to describe what we feel. We saw all the hard work she put in over so many years. She is extremely hardworking, independent, and totally dedicated to what she does," Kathy shared.

Interestingly, Lindsay was not a horse-obsessed child growing up. Her initial contact with the industry came when she was ten or eleven years old. "We didn't own a horse ourselves. She started by taking riding lessons, and from a very young age she worked at other stables just to be around the horses," her mother recalled.

That passion ultimately shaped her path. After discovering the Equine Industry Program at the University of Louisville, Schultz began a hands-on education that included stints at Lane's End Farm, with Hall of Famer Nick Zito, alongside renowned trainer Tom Proctor, and at Glen Hill Farm, before being selected for the prestigious Darley Flying Start international program—one of the industry's premier executive training grounds.

In November 2021, she officially launched Schultz Racing Stable. Since then, her results have been on a steady rise. Prior to the Haskell, she had already collected 144 wins, two G3 victories—including the 2023 Philip H. Iselin at Monmouth—and built an operation that currently manages roughly 60 head, split between Monmouth in the summer, Oaklawn Park in the winter, and satellite strings at Saratoga and Keeneland.

"Her work ethic is unbelievable. She never stops working. She is very grounded, never loses focus, and deeply loves what she does," said Bill Schultz.

Saturday's victory promises to mark a turning point. In the United States, a G1 win opens doors immediately, even more so when achieved in an event of the Haskell's magnitude. "We know a lot of things are going to change. After the race, she showed me her phone and had nearly 300 text messages," revealed José Flores, her assistant trainer at Monmouth Park.

The atmosphere around the barn reflected that excitement. "We are all thrilled. Winning a G1 lifts the spirits of the whole team. It makes everyone want to get up early the next morning and keep working. It is the reward for everyone's hard work," explained Flores, who also confirmed that Baby Vino came out of the race tired, but in excellent physical condition.

Regarding the future for the son of Vino Rosso, no definitive decision has been made yet. Options include targeting the Travers Stakes (G1) at Saratoga in late August or pointing directly toward the Breeders' Cup Classic, where he earned a guaranteed berth courtesy of the Win and You're In challenge series.

Whichever path is chosen, Schultz knows she will have unconditional support. "Since she started this adventure, we've followed her everywhere. We go to Oaklawn, we come to Monmouth, and we'll be wherever she is. We will always be right there with her," summarized Kathy Schultz.

After capturing the Haskell and breaking a historical barrier for women trainers, every indication suggests Lindsay Schultz's journey is only getting started.