Applications for the Fall 2026 session of the Amplify Horse Racing Mentorship program close on Tuesday, June 23. This three-month initiative offers a structured gateway for youth and young adults interested in getting involved in the Thoroughbred industry. Below, three former Amplify mentors share their firsthand experiences and explain why other industry members should consider stepping up to guide the next generation. PETER FORNATALE: Founder, In the Money Media Network Why did you decide to be an Amplify mentor?I loved the concept of Amplify from when I first heard about it and was really impressed by the members of the team. Horse racing is a sport that can be stuck in its ways, to put it politely, and I wanted to support an idea designed to bring in new blood and fresh perspectives.What was your experience like as a mentor? The process of applying to the program was very straightforward and the Amplify team and processes made onboarding really easy. Communication with my mentee was smooth throughout and while there is a time commitment involved, I easily exceeded it because I enjoyed the back and forth with my mentee, and my company was getting great value out of that interaction as well.Why would you recommend other industry professionals apply to become a mentor?Being part of Amplify as a mentor was doubly rewarding. On one hand, it felt great to pay forward some of the guidance and advice that I received early in my career that helped me on my way to learning all types of professional skills. My company also benefited because my mentee made terrific contributions and going through the process was very educational for me. I look forward to working with my mentee more in the future. A company is only as good as the people who contribute to it. Amplify helps companies find new, talented people with an interest in racing. Racing is so specialized that this has outsized value. LEAH ALESSANDRONI: Head of Farm Operations and Bloodstock, Tropical RacingWhy did you decide to be an Amplify mentor? I didn't grow up in the industry and when I moved to Kentucky, I really had virtually no connections. There were a lot of people along the way who mentored me and provided pathway opportunities and guidance that I would not necessarily have received had they not been willing to do that. So it's always been about paying it forward for me, whether it be with Amplify or just young people in the industry in general.What was your experience like as a mentor? One of the things that has impressed me so much about Amplify is the amount of time and attention to detail that they put into structuring the mentorship program. Everything from the thoroughness of the application process, to the way that they support you as a mentor with materials, guidance and resources. From a time standpoint, I found it really is dependent. Each individual year or semester is a little bit different depending on your mentee, but it's very manageable for me. I really enjoy it. I feel like I learn something each time I have a new mentee, so I see it as a mutually beneficial partnership. I'm obviously helping them, but it's always good to have young perspective and ideas. I really find it to be a two-way street and something I really enjoy.Why would you recommend other industry professionals apply to become a mentor?At the end of the day, I think this is an industry where everyone really does rely on other people, and I don't think I've met a single person who can't point to somebody else in their career who was instrumental in teaching them or getting them from point A to point B. If we want to keep growing and surviving as an industry, it requires a pipeline for talent and enthusiastic people. I think that alone should be enough for other people to want to jump to the opportunity to mentor. The Amplify program itself, and the opportunities it provides for us, is serving us in a huge capacity as an industry. I think it's a great way to help give back and should be something that everybody is interested in. JEN ROYTZ: Former Executive Director of the Retired Racehorse Project and Co-Owner/Operator of Brownstead FarmWhy did you decide to be an Amplify mentor? I wasn't born into the horse industry. I fell in love with racing at a young age in Cleveland, Ohio and so many people, both there and later in Kentucky, took me under their wing to make sure I connected with the right people who could give me a solid foundation of hands-on and networking experiences. I'm honored to pay it forward and give others that same type of support!What was your experience like as a mentor? Being a mentor with Amplify has allowed me to see today's Thoroughbred industry through new eyes, as it is in a very different place than it was when I was coming up, and that has been a tremendous help in both being a mentor and also being more informed and reflective on where we are today. Amplify is such a tremendous resource for kids and young adults to gain experiences that allow them to fall in love with the Thoroughbred the way I did as a teenager, but then they go a step further by providing them with the knowledge and contacts to pursue this as a career focus if they choose to do so. The team at Amplify does an outstanding job of preparing mentors with what the expectations and time commitments are, and coaching the mentees on how to get the most out of the opportunities being provided, which will not only serve them well during their Amplify experience, but throughout their formative years.Why would you recommend other industry professionals apply to become a mentor? None of us have gotten to where we are in this business by ourselves. It's not only our responsibility, but a privilege to do that for the next generation. Individuals interesting in serving as a mentor may apply on a year-round basis. Those wishing to participate in the Fall 2026 session must apply by June 23. To learn more or apply to become a mentor, click here. The post Why Mentors Recommend the Amplify Mentorship Program appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.