Trainer Profile: Joe Sharp

Trainer Joe Sharp

Joe Sharp was born in Martinsburg, West Virginia in 1985, and his formative years were spent between Lexington, KY, and Charles Town, WV, working at the racetracks with his parents, who were a trainer and exercise rider. He’s had a passion for horses his entire life, and Joe has seen and been a part of every facet of the racing industry, from foaling mares, riding races as well as a brief stint as a Jockey's agent.

Sharp worked for nine years as a top assistant for two of the top conditioners in the country, Mike Stidham and Mike Maker before setting up on his own and getting his trainer’s license in 2014. He quickly had success as one of the top trainers at the Fair Grounds, and he ventured to Gulfstream Park in South Florida for the 2015-16 Championship Meet. Sharp has rapidly expanded his barn to more than 75 horses and is one of the young stars in the business.

In 2011, Sharp married Rosie Napravnik, formerly one of the top jockeys in the U.S. Rosie is currently Joe's main assistant trainer, and on June 1, 2017 their son Carson turned 2 years old. Sharp trained his first Kentucky Derby starter in 2017 with Girvin, who won the Louisiana Derby.   

In 2016, Sharp’s horses won 111 races from 737 starts, collecting more than $4.1 million in purses. He’s quickly established himself as an all-around horseman with a tremendous work ethic, but credits much of his success to a strong support system especially from his wife Rosie.