The Team
Kevin Noltemeyer
Kevin is originally from Louisville Ky and grew up going to the races at Churchill Downs. After graduating from St. Xavier in Louisville, started working for Paul McGee on the backside at Churchill. While working for Paul in the Kentucky and Illinois circuits, Kevin was around stakes horses such as Demarcation and Dubious Miss. Wanting to expand his knowledge and role in the industry, he moved to Saratoga working for Todd Pletcher with his 2 year olds coming to the track. After Saratoga Kevin worked for Dallas Stewart in New York working with horses such as Macho Again. He then moved to Southern California and worked for Barry Abrams and Eoin Harty. While in California he worked with numerous stakes horses such as Well Armed, American Lion, Victor’s Cry, Anthony’s Cross, Unusual Suspect and Burns.
Kevin then moved back to Kentucky to begin a new role working in yearling sales prep at Lane's End. Following Lane's end, Kevin moved to Margaux Farm to re-engage his training desires and was the yearling and training manager. At Margaux, he was influential in the development of multiple Graded stakes winners. After a stint at Dixiana as their rehab and training manager Kevin merged his expertise with Steve Johnson of Silver Springs Farm. This was the beginning of the rebrand to Silver Springs Training and to where the company is today. Kevin now lives in Lexington with his wife Liz and 2 daughters Ella and Addie.
Matt Bowling
Born and raised in Louisville Ky, Matt moved to Lexington to attend the University of Kentucky where he received his Bachelors of Science in Agriculture with an emphasis in Equine Science. Matt is currently the owner of Bowling Bloodstock, as well as co-owner of Vinery Sales.
Matt lives in Lexington with his wife, Hayley, and their dogs, Charlie & Ollie.
Steve Johnson
Prior to purchasing Silver Springs Stud in 2014, Steve designed and built the original Margaux Stud in Woodford County Kentucky which is now part of Stonestreet Stables. Farm design and development have been central to Steve’s lifelong involvement with all aspects of his Thoroughbred farm management. Steve’s overriding goal in raising horses is to “slowly and purposely guide and direct young horses as they develop bone and we lead them to mature mentally.”
Steve’s basic horsemanship approach to raising and developing young equine athletes has resulted in many sound, successful runners coming out of his program.
Additionally, Steve has mentored many of the current farm managers in Central Kentucky and he continues to be active by serving on the board of the Kemtucky Equine Management Internship (KEMI) program, which is an educational program that provides experience and placements for young people wanting to find careers in the Thoroughbred industry.
Steve has served as the Kentucky Thoroughbred Farm Managers’ Club president and was honored by being appointed the Thoroughbred Farm Manager of the Year in 2003.
Michele Holbrook
Michele grew up in a small town in Indiana. She got her first pony at the age of 10 and showed Appaloosas and Quarter Horses in the local 4H program for several years before moving to Kentucky in 1989 to pursue and obtained an Associates degree in Equine Farm Management from Midway College.
Working as a groom through college allowed her to get hands-on experience working with stallions helping in the breeding shed, taking care of mares, foaling, sales prep and breaking yearlings. In 1997 she moved into an office position where she is now office manager. Her current responsibilities include board billing, receivables, payables, various HR duties, maintaining horse records, booking mares during the breeding season, registrations and nominations, sale paperwork, arrivals/departures and many other day to day office tasks.
In 2020, Michele's hard work was recognized when she was announced as a finalist for the Godolphin Thoroughbred Industry Employee Award program – Administration division.
In her spare time, she enjoys spending time with family and making handmade cards.
E-mail: michele@silverspringstraining.com
Daniel Larios
Daniel Larios was born and raised in Veracruz, Mexico. Daniel lived there until he moved to the United States in 2019. His first job in the USA was here with Silver Springs Training where he started out as a cleaning stalls. Since then, Daniel had worked all the way up the ladder to become the Farm Manager.
Daniel’s favorite moments with the horses, is when a newborn foal takes its first steps!
Josh Kerin
Josh, originally from Melbourne, Australia, has lived in the U.S for nearly 8 years now.
Josh grew up working with both Standardbreds at his Grandfather's farm, before transitioning into the thoroughbred industry at the age of Thirteen, where he worked for some of the most esteemed trainers in the Melbourne area at Caulfield racecourse. Originally moving to the U.S to play college football, Josh earned a degree from Colorado State University in Equine Science and a minor in Business management. Since moving to Kentucky Josh has held positions at farms such as Three Chimneys and Hidden Brook and has been with Silver Springs since the beginning of 2023. Josh has recently been appointed to the board of the Kentucky Thoroughbred Farm Managers Club.
Outside of work Josh enjoys prospecting sales horses for potential purchase and is an avid sports fan.
E-mail: josh@silverspringstraining.com
Casey Delikat
Casey grew up in Tampa, Florida and started showing horses in hunters/jumpers at age 13. After living near Tampa Bay Downs and owning personal Thoroughbreds, she got a start in the racing world by hot walking at Saratoga and Tampa. She also spent time working at Fair Hill Training Center in Maryland. In her free time, she enjoys studying pedigrees and following the yearling sales. She also owns two cats. "Once you own a Thoroughbred, no other breed compares to their character."
E-mail: casey@silverspringstraining.com