In a recent hearing before the Kentucky Horse Racing and Gaming Corporation (KHRGC) license review committee, Maria Borell, a trainer who once celebrated a Breeders’ Cup victory, was denied the opportunity to regain her Thoroughbred training license in the state. This decision comes after a tumultuous period following animal cruelty charges in 2016, where authorities rescued over 40 neglected horses from a farm leased by her father.
Borell, 42, had been hopeful for reinstatement, especially after her charges from 2016 were dismissed in Mercer County District Court in July 2023, and she subsequently obtained a trainer’s license in California in September 2024. However, on June 17, 2025, the KHRGC committee, after reviewing testimony and deliberating in closed session, informed Borell that her application would “almost certainly result in denial” if she did not withdraw it. Her attorney, Karen Murphy, opted to withdraw the application to avoid a formal denial, which could complicate future licensure attempts in Kentucky and other states.
“Maria is heartbroken,” Murphy stated in a phone interview. “We withdrew the application to avoid the ‘rabbit hole of a denial’… She has passed the trainer’s test and holds a license in California, demonstrating ample precedent for her ability to train. For Kentucky not to take the same principled position, despite there being no legal impediment to her licensure, suggests something else is at play.” Murphy emphasized that the expungement of Borell’s charges by the court legally treated the matter as if it never happened, and expressed disappointment that the KHRGC committee did not respect this legal principle.
A Decade of Challenges
A decade ago, Borell had yet to train a Thoroughbred winner. However, her career took a significant turn with Runhappy, who evolved into a champion sprinter. Tragically, just 24 hours after Runhappy’s victory in the GI Breeders’ Cup Sprint in October 2015, Borell was dismissed and subsequently sued the owners.
The winter of 2015-2016 saw Borell relocate to Florida, but a brief training stint ended in dismissal. In May 2016, an investigative article alleged questionable equine care, property neglect, and financial difficulties. A follow-up article specifically mentioned alleged neglect at a farm leased by Charles “Chuck” Borell, Maria’s father, prompting a sheriff’s investigation. Investigators discovered neglected horses, leading to intervention by the Kentucky Department of Agriculture (KDOA) to rehome and provide veterinary care.
Class A misdemeanor charges and arrest warrants were issued for both Chuck and Maria Borell. Chuck Borell received two years of probation in September 2016 after entering an “Alford plea,” relinquishing any ownership interest in the rescued horses. Maria Borell, however, remained at large, though state officials indicated limited resources for extradition if apprehended out of state.
From 2022 to the Present
After six years, Maria Borell surrendered to Kentucky authorities in June 2022 to address the charges. She initially pleaded not guilty, but in July 2023, a plea agreement was negotiated based on the argument that the horses were not under her immediate care. Borell paid a $7,500 bail bond, plus an additional $2,500 held in escrow, to Thoroughbred Charities of America, which had contributed significantly to the horses’ care.
Murphy also recently negotiated a settlement for Borell’s outstanding debt with Rood & Riddle Equine Hospital, contingent upon Borell obtaining a training license to generate income.
During her June 17, 2025, hearing, Borell shared her perspective on the intervening years. “I’ve had a lot of time to think, and know how to do things right the second time around,” she stated. She acknowledged her failure to properly handle the situation with her father’s farm and expressed deep regret for not returning to help. Borell has continued to work with horses, serving as a vet assistant at times, and expressed a strong desire for another chance to prove herself in Kentucky.
Borell explained that her departure from Kentucky after being fired from training Runhappy was influenced by her ego and advice from her attorney at the time, who cautioned against returning to Kentucky during her legal dispute with the owners. This decision, she now believes, made her appear guilty. “That was my biggest mistake,” she admitted. “I should have helped. I should have stepped up.”
She contrasted her experience in Kentucky with California, where she was licensed “immediately, no stipulations.” However, she recounted a subsequent hearing with Santa Anita Park management, which had initially denied her track access before eventually granting it. Stalls were assigned at Los Alamitos Race Course, but a promised owner experienced health issues, leading Borell to still await her first official race as a trainer since May 2016.
Borell presented evidence of support from the Thoroughbred community, including a vouch from trainer Kenny McPeek and a letter from trainer Gary Contessa. “I do seem to have actual support, honestly,” she stated, reiterating her plea for a second chance. Despite this, the KHRGC committee did not grant her application. The committee members who deliberated on her application included Greg Harbut, Paul Brooker, Michael Dudgeon, Jamie Eads, and George Haydon.
