Hidden Gems: Meet CJ Wilson of Win Place Home, Inc

Today we’d like to introduce you to CJ Wilson.

Hi CJ, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
Horses have been the throughline of my life. I started riding at age four and never looked back. Even when life got complicated, horses remained my refuge, my passion, and ultimately my purpose.

After college, I chose to walk away from a potential animation career to pursue a life with horses full-time. I spent years working in training barns, at racetracks, and alongside equine veterinarians — learning everything I could. While working on the backside of the track, I kept thinking about the futures of these incredible racehorses. So many of them were sound, athletic, and smart, but their careers ended young, and they often had nowhere to go.

That question became the foundation for Win Place Home, a nonprofit I founded in 2015 to help retired racehorses transition into new careers and new lives. Today, we’ve brought in 137 horses and found more than 120 of them incredible adoptive homes.

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Definitely not a smooth road — but every detour and hardship built the foundation for what I do today.

I lost my mom at 15 after years of being her caregiver while she battled AIDS. Within the same year, I lost both grandparents and had no immediate family left. I supported myself through high school and college, and eventually realized that even though I’d promised my mom I’d pursue a “practical” career, I couldn’t live someone else’s version of my life.

There were years of financial struggle. I moved to Northern California for a job that fell apart and had to start over completely. I worked over 460 consecutive days at the racetrack without a day off, caring for horses, running barns, and studying to get my assistant trainer’s license — only to leave when the work environment became toxic.

And starting the charity wasn’t easy either. I didn’t have a business degree or a nonprofit background — just a vision and a deep belief in these horses. I spent five years learning before I launched, cold-calling other nonprofit leaders and trainers to build something that would actually work.

Even now, I wear every hat — trainer, fundraiser, grant writer, accountant, social media manager. It’s exhausting, and I’ve had to turn down horses I would have loved to help simply because the funding wasn’t there. But the mission always pulls me forward.

I think people assume horse work is just about riding or grooming, but it’s really about grit, humility, and heart. And I’m proud of how far I’ve come — not in spite of the struggles, but because of them.

As you know, we’re big fans of Win Place Home, Inc. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about the brand?
Win Place Home is a nonprofit dedicated to giving retired Thoroughbred racehorses a second chance at life — not just through rescue, but through thoughtful retraining, rehabilitation, and rehoming.

We take in horses that are coming off the track — sometimes the same day their racing careers end — and we slowly transition them into life as riding horses. That means physical rehabilitation when needed, mental decompression, and careful, individualized training to prepare them for new homes and careers. Some become jumpers or dressage horses, some are happiest as trail partners — and others just want a person to love them. We meet each horse where they are and build a path forward.

What sets us apart is the level of hands-on, daily care and the emphasis on training. We don’t just hand horses over once they’re sound — we invest the time it takes to truly prepare them for success beyond the track. Our goal is not just to find them homes — it’s to set them up for lifelong partnerships.

I think we’ve also become known for telling each horse’s story. We share their journeys openly on social media and through events, and people connect with that. These horses are not just statistics or throwaways — they are individuals with huge hearts and so much potential.

We also provide lifelong support for every horse that comes through our program. If an adopter’s circumstances change — even years later — the horse is always welcome back. That promise is at the core of our brand.

I’m proud that we’ve grown this far completely grassroots — no big sponsors, no celebrity endorsements, just a community of people who believe these horses matter. Since our first horse in 2016, we’ve helped 137 Thoroughbreds, with more than 120 successful adoptions. Every single one of them has changed someone’s life — and every one has changed mine.

We offer adoptions, education, community outreach, and a deep commitment to reshaping how people see off-track Thoroughbreds — not as broken or washed-up, but as versatile, talented, and incredibly deserving of a second chapter.

Is there any advice you’d like to share with our readers who might just be starting out?
Start messy. Start scared. Just start. You don’t have to know everything — you just need to care enough to keep showing up, learning as you go, and not letting fear of failure stop you.

When I was dreaming about starting Win Place Home, I didn’t have a business plan or startup capital. I didn’t even know how to run a nonprofit. But I did know horses — and I knew they deserved better. So I spent five years asking questions, calling people I admired, learning what worked (and what didn’t), and building something brick by brick. I didn’t want to let these horses down.

I wish I’d known earlier that you’re allowed to build something differently. There’s no one “right” way to do good work. For a long time, I thought if I didn’t have a boardroom full of donors or a glamorous facility, I wasn’t legitimate. But the truth is, what makes your work matter is your consistency. Your ethics. Your heart. The horses don’t care what your budget looks like — they care that you show up.

And here’s another thing: don’t be afraid to ask for help. You don’t have to do everything alone (even though I know it can feel like you do). Ask questions, find mentors, build your network — and say thank you often.

Finally, protect your energy. Passionate people burn out fast if they don’t learn to balance their purpose with their peace. Make room to rest, to feel joy, to celebrate small wins — because the road is long, and the work never really ends.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.winplacehome.org
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/winplacehome
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/winplacehome
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCN5g8mq3FYngkICGG7hAuzA

Image Credits
Glenn Nutley
Laura Ise
Samir Janjua
CJ Wilson
David Potter