Averill Racing LLC

Owner: Rich Averill | Born: October 24, 1975 |

Birthplace: Bradenton, FL | Residence: Bradenton, FL

First Win: Fun n’ Gun, Tampa Bay Downs, 2002 | Tampa Trainers: Gerald Bennett, Georgina Baxter

Averill, who owns Rich Averill Masonry in Bradenton, about 52 miles south of Oldsmar, has won four Leading Owner titles at Tampa Bay Downs. Last season, he won the Florida Thoroughbred Breeders’ and Owners’ Association City of Ocala Florida Sire Stakes with 3-year-old filly R Adios Jersey (owned in partnership with ATM Racing), who won by 11 lengths while speeding the 7-furlong distance in 1:22.60. The previous season, R Adios Jersey won the Florida Cup Stonehedge Farm South Sophomore Fillies Stakes. Another top Averill-owned Florida-bred, Lady’s Island (owned jointly with Matties Racing Stable), was a two-time Grade III winner who earned more than $665,000. She won the Minaret Stakes here in 2020. The Tampa Bay Downs winner’s circle was filled to overflowing in December of 2017 when Averill and Matties Racing Stable’s then-7-year-old gelding Pay Any Price won the $100,000 Turf Dash Stakes. Averill unveiled another stable star at the outset of the 2016-2017 Oldsmar meeting in Floridabred filly R Angel Katelyn, who won the Sandpiper Stakes in her local debut. Owned in partnership with CCF Racing Stable and K Lauren Racing, R Angel Katelyn added the Gasparilla and the Florida Cup Stonehedge Farm South Sophomore Fillies after turning 3. Averill became a major player on the national scene in 2005 with his 3-year-old filly R Lady Joy. After winning the Florida Oaks on the main Tampa Bay Downs dirt surface, R Lady Joy strung together four consecutive in-the-money efforts in graded stakes, highlighted by a victory in the Grade II Delaware Oaks. She capped her run by finishing third in the Grade I Alabama Stakes at Saratoga. Averill enjoyed another huge thrill at the Spa in July of 2014 when his mare R Free Roll, owned in partnership with Silver Oaks, won the Grade II Honorable Miss Handicap, one of three consecutive stakes victories. R Free Roll is a homebred daughter of Jewels N Gems, who won a pair of stakes for Averill, including the 2006 Lightning City at Tampa Bay Downs.