A few minutes with… Luis Figueroa
Works in the barn of Suzanne Stettinius
Press Release
August 31, 2026
by Emily Fewster
The barn was bustling with morning activity.
Horses were in the round pen and on the bath mats. Some were cooling out after morning workouts while riders came and went. Amid the hustle, Luis Figueroa, trainer Suzanne Stettinius’s right-hand man, stood quietly, offering a welcoming wave.
As we chatted, Figueroa waved a sponge under the neck of a glistening athlete, cleaning the horse and preparing him for the rest of the day
This article contains affiliate links. If you click and buy, we may earn a commission at no extra charge to you.
Pick up reliable and rewarding tickets for major events!
“I’ve worked for Suzanne for about five years now. I started hotwalking for her, and I consider myself a really good groom now.”
He smiled. “She might consider me more of a barn manager.”
Between soap bubbles, Luis discussed his entry into the racing industry.
“I actually started in the grandstand for ten years,” he explained. “I’m still working with CFG Bank and The Beadle Group on private contracts. I started hotwalking for [assistant trainer] Tana Aubrey, and with [trainer] Mike Trombetta’s encouragement, I took the Groom Elite program. I finished with great scores and figured I’d give the horses another try.”
Luis has worked for a few different outfits in Maryland, from the hill to the tents at Laurel Park to the barns at the old Pimlico Race Course, learning the trade along the way.
“I come from a big family. Six brothers and sisters. I’m right in the middle. I was raised locally in Silver Spring. My one brother works in the grandstand.”
As we walked along, Luis began filling hay nets, and I marveled at his versatility and relaxed demeanor. He handled barn duties, from exercise rider check-ins to horse care, even painting the beautiful tack boxes and saddle racks.
Luis has immersed himself in racing, using his mind and hospitality skills to meet the needs of the horses and the people around him.
Figueroa credits Stettinius for his progression.
“I’m good where I am,” he said. “Maybe I’ll own a horse at some point. Suzanne has given me chances and the opportunity to improve. She knows she can trust me, and I can carry on with no real issues. I really take it day by day. I’m always willing to learn and move up in the game.”
Petting the horse in the stall next to him, he looked over and said with a heartfelt smile.
“Sometimes these animals can be better than humans.”
Pick up reliable and rewarding tickets for major events!
LATEST NEWS
