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About Journeyman Stud
We maintain a team of talented and dedicated individuals with many years of experience in the industry. We continually strive to engage our employees in a team-oriented atmosphere because we believe a cohesive team that is encouraged and innovative is the best way to achieve our standards. Through our team’s dedication, expertise, and experience, we offer a unique and trusted asset to our clients and owners in the thoroughbred industry.
Brent Fernung
Owner
Brent Fernung has been involved in the Florida Thoroughbred industry for 35 years. Beginning in the mid seventies, Fernung held management positions with Lasater Farm, Southland Farms and Sylvan Crest Stud. In 1989, he and his wife, Crystal, established Journeyman Bloodstock and have operated that concern ever since.
Between October of 2000 and July of 2007, Fernung also held the position of General Manager of CloverLeaf Farms II. During his tenure with Cloverleaf, Fernung attained success in the sales ring both buying and selling horses.
For Cloverleaf, he purchased the dams of graded stakes winners Crown of Thorns, Bsharpsonata, Backtalk, and Diva Delite among others. In 2001 Fernung purchased the mare, I’ll Get Along for Cloverlearf for the price of $130,000. Her weanling that year was future Kentucky Derby champion, Smarty Jones. Fernung sold I’ll Get Along as agent for Cloverleaf in November of 2004 for five million dollars, making her the highest priced mare to sell in public auction that year. Earlier in his career, Fernung had purchased Eileen’s Moment, the dam of 1992 Kentucky Derby winner Lil E. Tee, also prior to that horse winning the Derby giving him the rarest of doubles.
Fernung has prepared numerous graded stakes winners for the races including Crown of Thorns, Bsharpsonata, and Grade one winner, You. Fernung’s success extends equally into stallion management. Congrats, the leading first crop sire of 2010, and Wildcat Heir, North America’s leading 2nd crop sire in 2010, both began their career’s under Fernung’s management.
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Fernung currently serves as first vice president on the board of the Florida Thoroughbred Breeder’s and Owner’s Association, is a member of the board of directors of the Ocala Breeders’ Sales Company and is an Executive Committee member of the Ocala Thoroughbred Racing Association. He was named the 2004 Florida Farm Manager of the Year.
Crystal Fernung
Owner
A lifelong horsewoman, Crystal Fernung has been active in the Florida Thoroughbred industry for 40 years. Her early experiences included positions with Lasater Farm in research and pedigree. In 1989, she and husband Brent established their Journeyman Bloodstock Services Inc. and she has served as vice president of that company since that time.
Crystal was involved with Brent in the purchases and sales of both Eileen’s Moment, the dam of 1991 Kentucky Derby winner Lil E. Tee, and I’ll Get Along, the dam of 2004 Kentucky Derby/Preakness Stakes winner Smarty Jones. As Vice President and Business Manager for Journeyman Bloodstock Services, Inc., Crystal is responsible for all facets of the office management.
“Crystal is the glue that holds the whole farm together”, says Brent Fernung. “She runs all aspects of the office, issues all the stallion breeding contracts, books the mares, handles all areas of social media and website development as well as most of the advertising, plus she has a great eye for a horse.”
Crystal currently serves as an Equine Advisor for the Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation.
“To have a family business and a true love for what you do is a blessing.” says Crystal. I love raising horses in Florida and Ocala has been home to us for over 40 years. It’s natural rescources along with it’s fast growing cultural arts community make it a wonderful place to live as well.”
William B. Russell, D.V.M.
Graduated from the University of Georgia in 1989. Joined Peterson & Smith in 1989 as an intern and became a partner in 1993. IVAS Board Certified in acupuncture. Member of AAEP since 1989; Member of OBS Arbitration Panel and Detention Barn. Specialties: training and racehorse medicine, lameness, acupuncture, reproduction, and pediatrics.
“Bill isn’t just our veterinarian, he is an intricate part of our team” says Brent Fernung
Renee DeCelle, Administrative Assistant
Born and raised in Stowe, VT, Renee has been riding, showing and training horses for over 35+ years in hunters/jumpers & equitation. Early experiences included being co-owner of Shaw Hill Farm in Moscow, VT during the ‘70’s and as an instructor at Applewood Equestrian Center in Warren, VT. Since then, she has been a freelance instructor, managing shows and volunteering on equine boards.
After many years of visiting Ocala, Renee relocated here in September 2018, to enjoy the sunshine, heat and no longer shovel snow. A graduate of Champlain College and most recently working as an Administrative Assistant at Colchester High School in VT, Renee is looking forward to experiencing and educating herself on another side of the equine industry, expanding her knowledge and is very excited about being part of the Journeyman Bloodstock team. Her hobbies include hiking, kayaking, zip lining, gardening, anything outdoors and now becoming a Gator fan!