BCTC Graduate Austin Adams Wins Zadracarta Stakes at Woodbine, Marking Second International Victory

Published on Sep 25, 2025

Lexington, KY – Bluegrass Community and Technical College (BCTC) proudly announces that Equine Studies Program graduate Austin Adams has secured his first stakes victory, riding Little Teddy to a thrilling win in the Zadracarta Stakes at Woodbine Racetrack in Toronto on Sunday. 

The 2017 graduate of BCTC's nationally recognized Equine Studies Program returned $7.60 for the win aboard Little Teddy. This win comes just a year after Adams claimed victory at the Prix Together for Racing International Apprentice Championship in Deauville, France, where he rode Prescy LIIA to an international title.

“Austin brought home the win for our program last year in France, so I knew it was only a matter of time before he would secure this massive milestone in his career,” said Dixie Kendall, Equine Studies Program Coordinator at BCTC. “Following Austin's career as a professional jockey is such a rewarding highlight of my job.”

As the first and only accredited community college-based equine program of its kind in the United States, BCTC Equine continues to set national standards in preparing students for success in the dynamic equine industry. The program partners directly with equine employers to ensure students are trained for a wide variety of career paths in the equine industry.

“The equine industry represents nearly $50 billion in direct economic impact and supports close to one million U.S. jobs,” said Dr. Greg Feeney, President and CEO of BCTC. “Our Equine Studies Program is proud to be part of that engine. We train our students not just for jobs, but for lifelong careers in a global industry. Austin Adams is a shining example of the talent and dedication that comes out of BCTC, and his success is a testament to what hands-on, workforce-driven education can achieve.”

BCTC Equine remains a critical hub for workforce development in the horse industry, preparing students for careers ranging from professional riding and training to equine care, management, and business.

To learn more about the BCTC Equine Studies Program, contact Dixie Kendall at dixie.kendall@kctcs.edu or visit the Equine Studies website.