Jim Toner, trainer
Jim Toner has trained for the Nicholson family for more than 30 years; first for Ronald Nicholson's Kimran Stable and then for AJ Suited Racing Stable and Ninety North Racing Stable, both led by Nicholson's son, Justin. Toner has trained in New York for decades, and has had several horses at the highest level of the sport. For the Nicholson family, he has campaigned Grade-1-winner Flying Chevron, Multiple-Graded-Stakes-winner Gritty Sandie, Multiple-Graded-Stakes-winner Masseuse, Grade 3 winners Bold Hawk and Two Months Rent, and several other stakes performers. Toner's other high-profile horses include Breeders' Cup winner Soaring Softly, and Grade 1 winners Winter Memories, Memories of Silver, Wonder Again, and Tribulation among a long list of top horses, particularly on turf, for Darby Dan Farm.
Tres Abbott, trainer
Joining the team in 2015, Francis "Tres" Abbott, III has been training his own horses out of the Nicholson-family-owned Fairy Chant III East barn at Fair Hill Training Center in Elkton, MD. Abbott has become a valuable resource, both in terms of overseeing the care of horses that may need a change of scenery from the rigid structure of racetrack life, and also training horses that need to find a little easier competition than what the NYRA circuit has to offer. In his young training career, Abbott has already trained a couple of graded stakes winners in Nellie Cashman (G3 Virginia Oaks) and Medea (G3 Eatontown), and has plenty of promising horses in the barn for the future as well.
Marco Botti, Trainer
Marco Botti entered the picture for AJ Suited when the decision was made to send Brandybend, a European-bred filly purchased in the United States, back to her continent of origin to give her the best chance to develop into a top-class racehorse. Botti and Brandybend both lived up to expectations as the daughter of Galileo excelled under Botti's stewardship, breaking her maiden and picking up black type in her 3-year-old season. Botti's 10-year career already includes 5 Group/Grade 1 winners, and he has won important races in North America, Dubai, and all over Europe.
Adam Driver, Bloodstock
Adam Driver of Global Equine Group, based in Newmarket, UK, joined the team around 2011 as an advisor on sales purchases as well as the manager of AJ Suited's European racehorses. Driver has an extensive veterinary background, which complements his knowledge of racing to make him an invaluable resource. As AJ Suited continues to delve into international racing, Driver's advisory role may well continue to grow. Horses under Driver's care have won at Royal Ascot, the Dubai Racing Carnival, and many of Europe's most important race meets.
Chris Brothers, Bloodstock
The newest member of the team, Chris Brothers, who operates under the name Xavier Bloodstock, is assisting AJ Suited with breeding decisions as well as evaluation of breeding and racing stock. Brothers and Nicholson also have spent plenty of time commiserating on the fates of the New York Rangers and New York Giants, as both are loyal fans of these New York sports franchises!
