About Ransom Notes | ransomnotes

Margaret Ransom: Host/Reporter

California native and lifelong horsewoman Margaret Ransom is a graduate of the University of Arizona’s Race Track Industry Program. She got her start in racing working in the publicity departments at Calder Race Course and Hialeah Park, as well as in the racing office at Gulfstream Park in South Florida. She then spent six years in Lexington, KY, at BRISnet.com where she helped create and develop the company’s popular newsletters, Handicapper’s Edge and Bloodstock Journal.

After returning to California, she served six years as the Southern California news correspondent for BloodHorse, assisted in the publicity department at Santa Anita Park and and was a contributor to many other racing publications, including HorsePlayer Magazine and Trainer Magazine. She then spent seven years at HRTV and HRTV.com in various roles as researcher, programming assistant, producer and social media and marketing manager. She has also walked hots and groomed runners, worked the elite sales in Kentucky for top-class consignors and volunteers for several race horse retirement organizations, including CARMA.

Margaret’s very first Breeders’ Cup was at Hollywood Park in 1984 and she has attended more than half of the Breeders’ Cups since. She counts Holy Bull as her favorite horse of all time. She lives in Pasadena with her longtime beau, Tony, two Australian Shepherds, one Golden Retriever.

She is also a staff writer for USRacing.com and the Editor of the website Lady And The Track

Tony Pasternak: Producer/Technical Director

A native of California, a lifelong horse lover, and 10 year fan of the sport. Tony a Plumber by trade is the Owner/President of Tony's Plumbing and Rooter Inc. a family owned business together with his longtime girlfriend Vice President Margaret Ransom. Tony is also the President of North American Horse Care Alliance a non profit organization devoted to the creation and maintenance of the first and only National animal abuser registry.

Tony is also a lifelong musician playing the guitar with 32 years experience in the fields of audio and visual recording.

Ransom Notes came to fruition during a conversation with Derek Simon, Chief Editor of USRacing.com about what direction Margaret should go after the expose written by Margaret titled "The Shocking Untold Story of Maria Borell" was published by USRacing in May 2016. Which led to seizure of 43 horses from the Borells by the Mercer County Sheriff's office, and Animal Control services which also led to the arrest and conviction of Charles Borell and 43 counts of animal neglect filed against him and the same charges filed against Maria Borell for the condition the horses left on the Mercer County farm leased by Charles.

Derek had mentioned giving Margaret a tagline to publish her stories under, it was at that time the Tony came up with "Ransom Notes" which has turned into a weekly podcast produced by Tony and hosted by Margaret with stories, and interviews with people within the Thoroughbred racing industry.