John Jay the racehorse, who has raised over $30,000 for the college’s food pantry, is set to return to the track at Monmouth Park, New Jersey on May 9th after suffering from a chronic lung condition in the fall.
John Jay is owned by John Jay professor and alumnus Anthony Gentile. Gentile received his BS in Political Science and MPA from the college and has been a faculty member for 27 years. He is currently a senior adjunct professor in the Department of Law and Police Science and serves as the director for the Center for Private Security and Safety and Security Leadership Society.
Gentile had donated to the college food pantry for over a decade, but started donating his racing winnings in 2019, when he and his wife, Yvonne, established Dutch Racing Stable LLC.
The stable was named in honor of Yvonne, who was born in the Netherlands and whose love for horses inspired her to become an equestrian. Gentile, too, grew up around horses, so buying horses was a natural step.
In the spring of 2019, the Gentiles purchased a racehorse that suffered from sesamoidtis, a condition that weakens the bones of horses. However, the Gentiles’ horse trainer, Patrick McBurney, saw the horse’s potential.
“He just required time that Tony was willing to put into him,” said McBurney.
When it came time to name the horse, Gentile immediately knew that “John Jay” was his top choice, but he had to seek permission from the Jockey Club, the regulatory committee that oversees the names of thoroughbreds in the United States.
“They don’t allow horses to be named after proper nouns or be identified with significant people because they’re concerned about using that name to gain money,” said Gentile. “Once I explained the purpose of naming the horse, that John Jay is a nonprofit, and I planned to donate the winnings, they accepted it.”
Though thoroughbreds typically begin their racing careers at two years old, Gentile and McBurney felt John Jay had more growing up to do, so they waited to start John Jay in races until age three.
“He’s been the best horse ever since,” said Gentile.
John Jay is the Gentiles’ highest-earning horse, acquiring $154,475 in total winnings over the span of his career.
However, in the spring of 2025, John Jay began to suffer from a chronic lung condition. After successful treatment, he went on to win first-place at a race at Monmouth Park in July.
Unfortunately, John Jay had a relapse after this victory, with Gentile noting that he wasn’t the same horse after returning to race this year.
Gentile and McBurney decided to give John Jay some time to rest and sent him down to a farm in Tampa, Florida for further medical treatment. It became unclear if John Jay would race again.
In January, however, John Jay received clearance to resume training with McBurney, albeit at a slow pace.
“He came back well, and his lungs sounded good,” Gentile said. “However, you never know how a horse is going to produce until a race.”
Despite this uncertainty, McBurney is optimistic for John Jay’s return to the racetrack.
“His coat is glowing,” said McBurney. “I have pretty high hopes for the Monmouth season.”
