Sheila Napier’s stories continue to catch attention
by Chris Lomon
Casting a wide net continues to serve horsewoman Sheila Napier well.
On this day, Napier, who works as a caretaker in the barn of trainer Ron Potter, is on the shore of a Delaware reservoir, taking a break from the stable life for an afternoon of fishing.
The longtime horsewoman, joined by her daughter Jessica Greene, and longtime fishing partner Clyde Pfister, didn’t have to wait long to reel in her first catch of the day – less than a minute before her initial cast.
“I’ve caught about six crappies so far,” Napier said. “It’s very peaceful, which helps me shut everything out. We usually have some good spots, knock on wood, where we don’t have to wait long. I was the first one to cast, and 30 seconds later, I had a fish.”
When she isn’t enjoying time by the water, Napier is busy doting on the horses she takes care of.
Napier’s deep love for horses began at a young age. Growing up in Ohio, she always dreamed of having a horse, though she didn’t get into riding until her teenage years.
Her passion for the animal would eventually lead to a career working with racehorses, starting during her high school years.
“I was in love with the horses from day one,” she said. “I have always been in love with them since I was a little girl. I didn’t get into riding them until I was a teenager. But driving down the road, I remember seeing horses and asking my mom for one for Christmas.”
While that wish didn’t come true, the opportunity to work with racehorses did present itself, starting during her high school days.
“I went to the Delaware [Ohio] Area Career Center where I met [longtime Delaware horsepeople] Jim and Jo Pollock,” said Napier, a native of Cincinnati. “Jo was the instructor/teacher at DACC for the equine science lab. A little while later, my first racing job was working for trainer Frank Todd, Jr.”
Working with standardbreds was a perfect fit for Napier.
As far as picking out a favorite horse over the hundreds she has worked with over the years, she had a three-part answer.
Super Gizmo, a pacing son of Nobleland Sam—Super Plus, was purchased for a modest $10,000 at the 2000 Ohio Select Yearling Sale. Although he wasn’t expected to have a standout career, by the time he retired, he had won 35 of 183 races, earning nearly $200,000 in purse money.
His unlikely success, including setting a track record at Scioto Downs, made him a barn and fan favorite.
“I first started taking care of him in 2002,” Napier said. “I remember Ron [Potter] telling me the horse wasn’t that fast, but next thing you know, he held a track record at Scioto Downs, 1:51.4, and everybody loved him.”
Big Bad John, another Potter trainee, took the barn on the ultimate thrill ride.
The son of Western Hanover—Trulyawork Of Art was a world champion and retired with nearly $1 million in earnings. He set a world record of 1:53h as a 2-year-old, winning six stakes as a freshman, before winning the 2011 Little Brown Jug (1:50.2 – 1:50) at 3, while defeating the best of his generation.
“He was just an absolute dream come true,” Napier said. “He gave us all so much to remember.”
Rounding out the Napier heart horse trifecta is Custom Cantab.
In 2018, the trotting daughter of Mr Cantab—Custom Model won 13 times. Included in that baker’s dozen were wins in Indiana Sires Stakes Super Final at Hoosier Park and the season-ending Matron at Dover Downs.
Napier recalled how Custom Cantab’s fiery personality made her particularly special.
“I just loved taking care of her,” Napier said. “She had sass and attitude; that filly made me happy. She knew if she had won and if she didn’t, she was upset. There was one race, at Hoosier Park, where she was trying to pass a horse, and you could see her reach over to the inside and try to bite the other horse. She was special.”
Napier’s contributions to those successes and others didn’t go unnoticed.
Seven years ago, Napier was honored with the Caretaker of the Year Award from Hard Rock Rocksino Northfield Park and the U.S. Harness Writers Association.
She was deeply touched by the nomination and the heartfelt letter from her boss at the time, Chris Beaver.
“I was actually very surprised,” she said of the honor. “I found out I had been nominated by quite a few people, and I saw one of the letters, which was from my boss at the time, Chris Beaver, and I was touched by what he wrote.
“It makes me feel good knowing what I do for the horses makes them happy. They make me happy too.”
When she isn’t working in the barn, cheering on the Potter horses at the racetrack, or enjoying an afternoon of fishing, Napier can be found watching her daughter and a familiar face compete in the show ring.
Napier’s daughter, Jessica Greene, shares her mother’s passion for horses.
“She has a horse named Carols Comet, who was trained by Ron Potter,” Napier said. “My daughter absolutely loved this horse. He ended up with Josh Greene and next thing you know, I got a text from Josh asking where he should send him.
“Jessica shows this horse and leases a quarter horse, who she is going to show this summer. She started doing this a few years ago and she enjoys it.”
Napier admits that watching her daughter, who works for trainers Beau and Teesha Brown, perform on the show circuit is far less stressful than watching her pacers and trotters line up behind the starter car.
“I’m less stressed watching Jessica,” Napier said. “She’s doing her best out there, and I know her horses will do well for her. She is part of IEA [Interscholastic Equestrian Association] — they go around riding other horses they haven’t ridden before — and she kicked butt in that. I always look forward to seeing her compete.”
Looking ahead, Napier is excited for the 2026 Breeders Crown at Scioto Downs, which will bring even more attention to the area. With a new paddock under construction, she’s looking forward to a great crowd and the chance to continue supporting the horses and people she cares about.
In the rich 66-year history of Scioto, the track has only ever hosted two singular divisions of the Breeders Crown: the older mare trot in 1986, won by Grades Singing and Herve Filion, and the older open pace in 1988, won by Call For Rain and Clint Galbraith.
“I am so excited about the Breeders Crown coming and the new paddock that is being built at Scioto,” Napier said. “It’s going to be nice, and I think we’re going to have a great crowd. There are plenty of farms in the area, where people can bring their horses a couple of weeks before the races.”
By then, Napier will no doubt have more tales to share – horse racing, horses, fishing and more.
And if history is any indication, those stories are sure to catch the attention of many.
