About Us

Whysper Wynd Farm is owned and managed by Justine and Marc
Howell of Chester County, Pennsylvania.  While Marc married      
into the business, Justine is the third generation of Thoroughbred
racing professionals.  

Justine's grandfather, Jim, bought his first racehorse in the early
1970's when the track in Erie, PA opened.  Jim and his wife
Evelyn had regular riding horses since the early 1940's that they
successfully competed at local and regional shows, but there was
something more thrilling about the racehorses.  Jim purchased a
few Thoroughbreds and hired a trainer for them.  A short while
later Jim, being a horse person, was dissatisfied with the level of
care and treatment his horses were receiving.  He took it upon
himself to learn everything there was to know about the training
side of racing.  The next season he took on training duties himself,
brought on both Evelyn and his daughter Kathy (Justine's mother)
as his assistants, hired a young jockey from Minnesota named
Larry (Justine's father), and had a fantastic season.  Hard work,
coupled with discipline, and compassionate care have long been
the foundation for our success in the horse world.

Justine grew up on an active Thoroughbred breeding and racing
farm.  At the age of 10 Justine began breaking horses with her
mother and by the age of 13 she broke her first young
Thoroughbred on her own.  Aside from her parents, Justine has
found guidance and inspiration in the United States Pony Club.  
From age 7 Justine was an active USPC member gaining advanced
riding experience, knowledge in horsemanship, competition, and
leadership.  During that time she also led 5 consecutive teams to
compete on the national level, became an accomplished event
rider, achieved her C2 rating, and rode with well known
individuals such as David O'Brien and Denny Emerson.

Marc and Justine have an active Thoroughbred breeding program.  
All of their mares are carefully selected and are sent to many
different locations to be bred.  As a breeder, Justine is a firm
believer in the responsibility that owners have to their racing
athletes and works hard to assist trainers and owners in the
retraining and placement of their horses.

Justine is also a partner in an equine genetics firm called
ThoroughGen (thoroughgen.com) that focuses on the
polymorphisms in DNA that contribute to a successful racehorse.  
Currently ThoroughGen has several genes available for testing,
including ones that can help Thoroughbred breeders take a more
responsible and effective approach to breeding. In addition
ThoroughGen offers tests that can predict horses that will develop
OCDs (osteochondritis dissecans), as well as a temperament /
trainability polymorphism that can help determine a horse's
personality type and things like if they will have a tendency
toward  spookiness.  These tests give unique insight into what
makes up a specific horse and is not information that can be found
within a pedigree or nicking score.

In their spare time (which is admittedly limited) the Howells enjoy
cookouts with friends on the outdoor fireplace and teaching their
girls how to ride.
Marc & Justine under the twin spires at Churchill
Downs on Derby day 2010!