Dr. John Connick Joins TMJC as Veterinarian

The Maryland Jockey Club has welcomed Dr. John Connick, a native of Ireland with international equine experience, as its newest association veterinarian. Connick officially began his duties on August 27 at Laurel Park, during the Maryland State Fair at Timonium meet.

Dr. Connick most recently worked with Sunny Coast Equine Veterinary Services in Fort Myers, Fla., where he spent 15 months specializing in equine care. A graduate of the University College Dublin School of Veterinary Medicine, his career began in mixed-animal practice before he completed a rotating internship at the prestigious Fethard Equine Hospital in County Tipperary, Ireland.

A summer internship at Gowran Castle Stud Veterinary Clinic in Kilkenny, Ireland — a leading provider of veterinary services for Thoroughbreds in both flat and jump racing — proved to be a pivotal moment.

“That’s where my love of racehorses started,” Connick said. “It was a summer job, but that was the turning point for me.”

His professional interests include reproduction, lameness, and emergency care. When the opportunity arose to return to the racetrack environment in Maryland, Connick seized it. He and his wife, Caroline, along with their one-year-old son, Lorcan, recently relocated from Florida to Maryland.

Connick will work alongside Dr. Gabrielle Rivest, TMJC Senior Veterinarian, and in coordination with the three regulatory veterinarians of the Maryland Racing Commission.

“I really wanted to get back with racehorses,” Connick said. “So far, it has been brilliant. Dr. Gabby is showing me the ropes, and I’m looking forward to the resumption of racing at Laurel. I’ve been meeting with trainers and riders, trying to get to know everyone. There are really nice people here to work with.”

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