Solis and Litt Join Growing Repole Team

Alex Solis II and Jason Litt, who operate the Solis/Litt bloodstock agency, have joined forces with owner Mike Repole, who has continued to add to his team as both his stable and his goals have grown in recent years. Repole, who owns many horses in partnership with Vinnie Viola, has about 300 horses and has been very active in recent years at the yearling sales.

“I am all about family and friends,” Repole said. “Over the last couple of years they've been helping me out with some yearlings and colts and they have a great opinion. I am a 'dream-bigger' type of guy. I won eight Grade Is in 2022, so this year I want to win nine. The next year I want to win 10. Bringing Alex and Jason on board is part of that vision.”

As part of the transition, Solis has stepped down from his full-time role as Gainesway Farm's Director of Bloodstock but will continue his relationship with the farm. Solis and Litt's agency will also continue to work with existing clients.

As Repole has doubled the number of horses in his stable over the last two years he has assembled a deep group of advisors who assist him in a number of areas, including yearling purchases and the overwhelming daily task of running such a large stable. The team includes Ed Rosen, Jim Martin, Danielle Bricker, Jacob West and Todd Pletcher. Solis and Litt will advise the growing stable and assist in acquisitions and management, but will be called upon to contribute in other areas.

“When you double the number of horses you own, yes, you need more people,” Repole said. “I am trying to build a bigger vision and a bigger strategy. I want to get more involved in racing as a sport, not just with Repole Stables. I want people with the experience Alex and Jason have. They have tremendous vision for the sport and share the same excitement I have for the sport and the same frustrations.

“Part of the evolution of growing your brand comes from hiring a bunch of smart people who have a ton of passion and are coachable and have the same vision you have. Who knows; maybe Jason will become the VP of global and I'll buy two racetracks and Alex will run them. I have no idea.”

Solis and Litt have been together since the early 2000s and have worked for many of the top names in the sport, including LNJ Foxwoods, which campaigned top older male dirt horse Olympiad (Speightstown). Other horses they have been involved with include Shared Belief (Candy Ride {Arg}), Mizdirection (Mizzen Mast), Country House (Lookin At Lucky) and Covfefe (Into Mischief). Their team also includes Madison Scott.

“Mike has gone from 150 to 300 horses and wanted to take advantage of Solis/Litt's experience managing large portfolios,” Solis said. “We've helped Mike for the last couple of years at yearling sales, and it's exciting to start in a more prominent role. It's been a seamless transition working with his existing team…Mike is big on relationships and family, and so are we. Jason and I have been

working together for 17 years and the majority of our clients have been with us since the beginning. Maintaining those ties is of utmost importance, which Mike fully embraces. It was great to be able to partner with him and our major client, LNJ Foxwoods, on two yearlings in September.”

Repole Stable enjoyed a banner year in 2022, campaigning Grade I winners Chocolate Gelato (Practical Joke), Mo Donegal (Uncle Mo), Forte (Violence) and Nest (Curlin). Forte and Nest are expected to be named Eclipse Award winners. With most any other stable, 2022 would have been a year that cannot be topped. But Repole has never hid his ambitions and won't set a ceiling when it comes to his stable's success.

“I'm not always content,” Repole said. “I talk to somebody like Tom Brady and ask him what his favorite Super Bowl was and he says it's the next one. I am ecstatic and feel blessed about where we are but I have goals. What's wrong with trying to get better?”