Annise Montplaisir has a deep love for the natural world and can frequently be found tending to her garden in Lexington, Kentucky, well into the evening hours. She finds great joy in nurturing fragile young seedlings, watching over them until they blossom and flourish.
When she is on the clock, her focus shifts to a different kind of growth—one that could prove vital to the longevity of Thoroughbred racing. In 2019, she teamed up with Madison Scott to establish Amplify Horse Racing, an initiative aimed at welcoming young people aged 25 and under into the sport, encouraging them to develop a passion that could lead to career opportunities in the field.
“Every day, I am living out my dream career,” remarked the 31-year-old Montplaisir. “The racing industry has brought immense value to my life, offering me wonderful travel adventures and the chance to work closely with horses. My goal is to open these same doors for other young people.”
Raised in Fargo, North Dakota, she proudly labels her younger self as an absolute “horse nerd.” Her hands-on education with horses began with a beloved pony named Ginger, which eventually led to her owning a Quarter Horse named Misty. Her perspective shifted permanently at age 12 after she watched the film “Ruffian.”
“That film sparked my fascination with the sport; I was completely spellbound by her journey,” Montplaisir recalled. “It beautifully illustrated the innate drive and passion that Thoroughbreds possess for running.”
Seeing a live race for the first time at the North Dakota Horse Park solidified her desire to pursue a career in the industry. From that moment on, she focused on gathering diverse experiences to figure out exactly where her talents would fit best.
The North Dakota Horse Park served as a vital stepping stone in her professional journey. There, she volunteered as a track ambassador, acquired skills in galloping and ponying horses, climbed the ranks to become the director of communications, and even worked temporarily as an official clocker.
During her collegiate years at North Dakota State, she completed multiple summer internships, each of which enhanced her understanding of and commitment to the sport. She spent a summer working at Canterbury Park, followed by two summers reporting on the races at Saratoga Race Course for the Saratoga Special, a publication highly regarded for fostering emerging writing talent.
Following her graduation, Montplaisir gained global exposure by participating in the Godolphin Flying Start program between 2018 and 2020. It was during this period that her long-term vision crystallized: she wanted to facilitate similar life-changing opportunities in racing for other young individuals.
This inspiration led to the creation of Amplify, a registered non-profit. By 2023, she had stepped into the role of its full-time executive director.
“It is incredibly rewarding to witness young people bonding with horses. We constantly observe that actually interacting with and touching a horse is what solidifies the experience for them,” Montplaisir explained. “By reaching out to more students, we can build a larger community of people who view horse racing in a positive and well-informed light.”
The organization manages a nationwide mentorship initiative that connects industry professionals with students in high school and college. They are also introducing a new educational curriculum for high schools in Kentucky, featuring a week of structured lessons that end with an educational visit to Keeneland Race Course. Additionally, Amplify collaborated with the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame to host the Winner’s Circle Summer Camp in Saratoga Springs, New York, in late July.
Montplaisir estimates that Amplify will reach roughly 15,000 young participants this year alone, and strategies to broaden their impact even further are already in progress.
“If you examine any major athletic organization, whether it’s golf, football, hockey, or basketball, they all feature youth divisions designed to cultivate new fans and train future professionals,” Montplaisir pointed out. “My vision is for Amplify to serve as the definitive youth branch of the Thoroughbred world, complete with a national headquarters and localized chapters throughout the country.”
Damon Thayer, a former Kentucky Senator (serving from 2003 to 2025) and a prominent supporter of the equine industry, asserts that Amplify addresses an essential gap.
“We are currently living in an era where American youth have the least amount of contact with farming, agriculture, and livestock—especially horses—than ever before,” remarked Thayer, who serves on the Amplify board. “For many of these children, Amplify provides their very first encounter with an equine. Regardless of the time period, once children are introduced to these animals, a great many of them will fall completely in love.”
Major entities such as The Jockey Club, Keeneland, Churchill Downs, and Godolphin have all provided backing for Amplify. Additionally, the charity relies significantly on private contributions. Montplaisir highlighted John Ballantyne, Bill Benter, and James and Shari Ough as exceptionally generous supporters, while noting that David Smyth, the champion of the previous year’s Breeders’ Cup Betting Challenge, contributed 5% of his prize money to the cause.
Thayer voiced his hope that more sustainable, long-term financial backing can be secured, believing the organization is vital to the ongoing success of the horse racing world.
“For numerous sectors, cultivating a strong pipeline of talent is essential for long-term viability, and the equine sector is certainly no exception,” explained Thayer, who currently runs his own consulting and public relations business. “We must remain proactive in preparing the next generation to step into these roles, from office-based management to front-line horse care.”
Much like her approach to gardening, Montplaisir remains entirely dedicated to expansion. “We have developed an incredible program,” she noted. “Our next step is simply to bring it to a wider audience of young people.”
