GROVENDALE’S JAMES KEOGH
OLD FRIENDS FOREVER
KEENELAND ANNOUNCES EXPANSION
K EENELAND WINTER 2023
celebrating bluegrass traditions
U.S. $5.00 (CAN. $7.50)
KEENELAND.COM
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Bardstown • Corbin • Lexington • London • Mount Sterling
2YO WINNERS OCT 1 – OCT 14
BREEDERS’ CUP
CITY OF TROY JUST F Y I OPERA SINGER BUCHU HARD TO JUSTIFY
Dewhurst S. (G1) Frizette S. (G1) Prix Marcel Boussac (G1) Jessamine S. (G2) Miss Grillo S. (G2)
CHALLENGE RACES
JUST F Y I
His 5 G1SWs in 2023 also include sophomores ARABIAN LION (Woody Stephens S.) and ASPEN GROVE (Belmont Oaks)
Dermot Ryan, Charlie O’Connor, Adrian Wallace, Robyn Murray, Blaise Benjamin, Charles Hynes or Michael Norris. Tel: 859-873-7088. www.coolmore.com
CITY OF TROY
The Leading 2YO Sire of 2023
❝He promises to establish himself as a true top-notch dual-surface influence on the global stage, in the tradition of great Kentucky stallions of the past. ❞
Martin Stevens, Racing Post Bloodstock, 7/18/23 2024 fee $200,000
Dermot Ryan, Charlie O’Connor, Adrian Wallace, Robyn Murray, Blaise Benjamin, Charles Hynes or Michael Norris. Tel: 859-873-7088. www.coolmore.com
J U S T I C E R E A L E S TAT E RESULTS – NOT JUST WORDS!
JUSTICE REAL ESTATE prides itself in promoting our listings and not ourselves – but sometimes FACTS need to be publicized. These are just a few of our SIGNIFICANT farm sales during 2023 – no frm can match our production. If you are looking to buy or sell a farm in Central Kentucky, contact the true horse farm professionals trusted since 1980. SOLD
SOLD
$10,000,000
$6,250,000
ERHAAB STUD—Consisting of 525 ± acres, formerly known as Elko Bell Farm, this farm is historically known as the most fertile and productive land in Scott and Franklin Counties. With approximately 3,000 f of frontage on US 460— horse improvements include 9 concrete block barns with 105 stalls, 6 fabulous concrete block run-in sheds, a covered six-horse walker, and covered round pen. Housing includes a c.1870s 5,900 sf home (currently used as an ofce) and 4 employee houses.
FORT BLACKBURN—Purchased by Will Farish as 264 acres of raw land in 1999, he developed this land into an exceptional horse farm. Fort Blackburn boasts an unparalleled location on Old Frankfort Pike. Horse improvements on this farm include 3 - world class horse barns that are ideally situated. Additional improvements include a renovated historic 2,650 SF home, equipment/shop building with ofce and bath, metal hay barn, plus a covered walker.
SOLD
SOLD
$7,000,000
$3,675,000
MILLENNIUM M I L L E N N I U M FFARMS—Located ARMS d on d desirable bl Paris Pike k with 317 acres, 8 horse barns and 128 stalls. The 6,150 SF main residence includes 7 bedrooms and 6 full/2 half baths. Farm is complemented with 5 employee houses, yearling complex with covered 70’ round pen, & 6 horse walker. 3030 SF office was built to convert to a guest house. Concrete-based maintenance/ muck removal area with newer shop with open equipment shed on each side.
WOODS W O O D S FARM—Unique FA R M U i and d absolutely b l t l b beautiful tif l lland d ideally located 10 minutes from downtown Lexington and 15 minutes from the Kentucky Horse Park. An incomeproducing farm featuring 6 cottages on the banks of the Elkhorn Creek, 90 stalls in 3 barns, a 50' x 90' indoor arena, a 20 acre polo field. Two deeded parcels with frontage on Bryan Station (100 +/- acres) and Briar Hill (174 +/- acres) with a gated entrance and mature trees.
518 East Main Street, Lexington, KY 40508 u ( 859 ) 255-3657 u www.kyhorsefarms.com
EXCEPTIONAL FARMS IN THE BLUEGRASS AVAILABLE PROPERTIES
W I N C H E S T E R FA R M — Location! Location! Highly developed 268-acre horse farm on the desirable Mt. Horeb Pike and adjoining Castleton Lyons. Improvements include 6 horse barns with 78 stalls & 3 employee houses. Overlooking the Elkhorn Creek, and in a park like setting, you will discover the wonderful 4-bedroom 3.5 bath home whose lower level serves as the farm ofce, but suitable for a gracious living area if desired. Winchester Farm is conveniently located to Fasig-Tipton and the Kentucky Horse Park and suitable for any discipline.
SHADAYID STUD—Consisting of 805 ± acres on both sides of Leestown Road, in highly desirable Woodford County. Te North Side (532 acres) features 6 concrete block barns with 84 stalls, ofce, and 3 employee houses with the South Elkhorn Creek along the farm’s rear border. Te South side (273 ± acres) features 44 stalls, show barn, rehab barn, 3 hay barns, shop, and 4 employee houses. Will divide!
BUCKSTONE FARM—Located on the corner of Jackstown and Black Cross Roads, this highly desirable 96-acre farm is in the immediate area of Adena Springs, Sparks View and Brandywine Farms. Gated entrances on each road lead you to its three horse barns with 34 stalls. Te farm has primarily Vmesh fencing and ofers city and well water. You will discover several wonderful building sites on this truly picturesque farm.
ASHLAND STABLES —Located on arguably the greatest corner in Central Kentucky—Iron Works and Newtown Pikes, this 113 acres horse farm features a c. 1813 3700 sq f main residence, 2 horse barns with a total of 30 stalls, outdoor wash racks, covered treadmill, plus a fabulous Wordley Martin 165’ x 300’ outdoor ring with viewing area, Manager’s house and
REASONABLE OFFERS CONSIDERED
CORNER WOODS—First time on the market in over 40+ years! Tis 198± acre farm is as beautiful as it is known for producing superior race horses like Informed Decision and Keats. Improvements include the inviting 5200 SF historic main residence (with elevator); 3000 SF Manager’s home; two employee houses, fve barns with 50 stalls. Located on the corner of Ferguson and Greenwich Pikes with excellent soils.
ANNESTES FARM — Tis exceptional 384 acre horse farm is beautiful and functional! 2 stone entrances lead you through over 3.5 miles of roads to its centerpiece—a 20+ acre lake and 2 world-class 28 stall barns with 2 foaling stalls & wash bay. Stallion barn has 5 stalls, breeding area, ofce, viewing area, & bath. 2 employee houses, an 1,800 Groom’s quarter’s with a tremendous SF Tudor ofce building, and shop/
maintenance area.
THIS IS A MUST SEE
equipment building.
Bill G. Bell (859-621-0607) u Mary Sue Walker (859-619-4770) u Marilyn Richardson (859-621-4850) Muffy Lyster (859-229-1804) u Allen Kershaw (859-333-2901) u Cathy Davis (859-806-9444) Bo Goodman (859-509-0582) u Bill Justice (859-255-3657)
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Contents Contents WINTER 2023
SEASON 2022
F EAT U R ES
44 SALES MAINSTAY by Lenny Shulman Longtime consignor and horseman James Keogh has built Grovendale Sales into a quiet force on the auction scene.
58 SET IN STONE by Liane Crossley Keeneland plans a new paddock building and saddling paddock enhancements in its f rst major construction project in decades.
62 MOVING IN,
MOVING OUT by Liane Crossley The Keeneland barn area is in constant motion at auction time, requiring careful planning and teamwork.
76 WHAT FRIENDS ARE FOR
by Maryjean Wall Residents of Old Friends Thoroughbred Retirement Farm have a steadfast ally in founder Michael Blowen.
90 COMMUNITY SPIRIT by Patti Nickell What started out as a high school project to address food insecurity has blossomed into Spark Community Café, where volunteers serve customers and customers pay what they can.
ON OUR COVER At The Circus Oil on canvas, 32 x 24 by Paul Guiramand (French, 1926-2008)
58
14 WINTER 2023 K KEENELAND.COM
62
90
Having moved to Paris in the 1930s, Guiramand was witness to war-torn France before entering the L’Ecole des Beaux-Arts in 1943. He was a pupil of the French painter and professor Maurice Brianchon. By the 1960s Guiramand was exhibiting around the world, including Geneva, Chicago, Paris, Tokyo, and Rome. His works are known for their use of vibrant colors on a simple, well-balanced background.
FAMILY OPERATED FOR OVER FIFTY YEARS The McLean family has owned and operated their full service, 1,000 acre Crestwood Farm since 1970. Since then, Crestwood has bred and/or raised multiple Hall-of-Fame inductees, Champions and 290+ stakes horses.
STALLION ROSTER CARACARO
Uncle Mo – Peace Time
SIR WINSTON
Awesome Again – La Gran Bailadora
HEART TO HEART
English Channel – Ask the Question
YORKTON
Speightstown – Sunday Affair
Pope McLean 1946 N. Yarnallton Pike | Lexington, KY 40511 859.252.3770 | www.crestwoodfarm.com
Contents
WINTER 2023
24
28
32
D E PA R T M E N T S PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE 20 • CONTRIBUTORS 22 • NEWS 24 • CONNECTIONS 28
32 SPOTLIGHT ON Kim Wickens’ fascination with a common link in the pedigrees of 12 of the 13 Triple Crown winners led to her writing an acclaimed biography of the horse Lexington. by Cynthia Grisolia
104 MAKING
A DIFFERENCE Family loss prompts Beau and Gail Lane to support genetic testing at Kentucky Children’s Hospital in the fght against cancer. by William Bowden
104 16 WINTER 2023 K KEENELAND.COM
A UNIQUE EXPERIENCE AWAITS. CASTLETON LYONS offers a unique opportunity for serious breeders to board their thoroughbreds. Here you’ll find a highly skilled staff in a state-of-the-art facility with old world charm. Over one thousand acres of lightly grazed lush pasture supported by the best quality soil, so famous for producing great race horses, await your thoroughbred investments. Individual, detail-oriented attention for horse and client in a top class environment can be found within minutes of Bluegrass Airport, Keeneland, Fasig-Tipton, and the world’s best equine hospitals.
Inquiries to Pat Hayes: 2469 Iron Works Pike, Lexington, KY 40511 (859) 455-9222 www.castletonlyons.com
K EENELAND celebrating bluegrass traditions
The off cial magazine of Keeneland Association, Inc. published by Blood-Horse LLC 821 Corporate Dr., Lexington, KY 40503 (859) 278-2361/FAX (859) 276-4450 KeenelandMagazine.com BloodHorse.com
Need attention?
Editor: Jacqueline Duke Artists: Catherine Nichols (Art Director), Philip Truman
We provide complete equine, farm, and liability coverages.
Copy Editor: Rena Baer Visuals Director: Anne M. Eberhardt Creative Services: Jennifer Singleton (Director), Forrest Begley Account Executive: Amanda Ramey Masters Sales Support: Catherine Johnston CORPORATE OPERATIONS Circulation Accounting Manager: Lauren Glover General Manager: Scott Carling PUBLISHED BY Blood-Horse LLC BOARD OF DIRECTORS James L. Gagliano, Carl Hamilton, Ian D. Highet, Stuart S. Janney III, Brant Laue, Dan Metzger, David O’Farrell
KEENELAND ASSOCIATION, INC. 4201 Versailles Road P.O. Box 1690 Lexington, Kentucky, U.S.A. 40588-1690 Tel: (859) 254-3412 (800) 456-3412 Keeneland.com © 2023 Keeneland Association, Inc.
THE NEUMAN INSURANCE GROUP 859. 621. 5050
859. 229. 9095
Lexington, Kentucky, USA t 859.231.0213 f 859.231.0206 www.equineinsurance.com
18 WINTER 2023 K KEENELAND.COM
To order Keeneland magazine and additional copies, call 1-800-582-5604 TO SUBSCRIBE OR TO SEND A GIFT SUBSCRIPTION to Keeneland magazine, visit BloodHorse.com/KeenelandOffer
MAKE YOUR MOVE IN FREE AGENCY.
Keeneland November Horses of Racing Age Sale Friday, Nov. 17
View Catalog at catalog.keeneland.com/HORA
President’s Message WINTER 2023
The Time Is Right Beginning this message always feels
remains to be a model racetrack and
right with a thank you: to our breeders, sellers,
internationally leading sales com-
and consignors, who worked hard to bring their
pany and to perpetuate the best of
best yearling crop to market in September; to our
Thoroughbred racing. All that we do
buyers, who worked hard pounding the pavement
is truly, “for the love of the horse, for
through the barns during that month to fnd their
generations to come.”
next Thoroughbred champion; to our horsemen,
Our new building projects are the
horsewomen, and patrons, who attended each
frst since the opening of the Keene-
day of our October race meet with enthusiasm,
land Library in 2002 and the largest
spirit, and passion; and to our team, who work
since Keeneland was created in 1936.
tirelessly every day to put together the sales with
In 1935, our founders were discour-
the best horses and deepest buying bench in the
aged by the closure of the Kentucky
world and put togeth-
Association track and they wanted
er a race meet with
to keep quality racing in the Bluegrass — racing as it was
the highest-quality
meant to be. We frmly believe that if we get people close to
Thoroughbreds and
the horse, the rest will take care of itself.
SHANNON ARVIN President and CEO
racing product in the
We are very fortunate to have a supply and demand
world. Sometimes, they
problem — our tickets for public seating at race meets sell
make it look easy, but I
out in approximately 16 minutes. We want to provide more
assure you it is not. It is a privilege and delight to be part of this team and to
Scan the QR code for a video of the paddock building and reimagined paddock.
opportunities for people to get close to the horse, to enjoy quality racing, and to give them a better experience when they come to participate in our sales. With space for more than 1,300 additional fans, the paddock building will allow
continue to do our
us to offer different ways to enjoy the races, with opportuni-
part as stewards of Keeneland to leave this great
ties to sit for lunch, stand for cocktails and light bites, watch
institution better than when we found it. This is
the jockeys parade to the paddock, and sit in the paddock
a commitment we have made to Keeneland, the
itself as the horses enter. In addition, the paddock building
Thoroughbred industry, our community, to each
will allow us to offer more food and beverage options to our
other, and to each of you.
sales customers, along with additional seating.
To that end, you have likely seen our plans for
We are not blind to the challenges our sport is facing, but
the new paddock building (see page 58). Again,
we believe in the future of our industry and our community.
bringing this project to fruition has been and will
We work every day to do our very best to take care of the
continue to be a lot of work. It will be a challenge
horse, to take care of our employees, to take care of the own-
to which we have all risen because we frmly
ers and trainers who have invested their lives and resources
believe in the importance of offering exciting
in our sport, and to make our sport as safe as it possibly can
experiences at Keeneland for our fans.
be. This is the right project for Keeneland at the right time.
Why are we embarking on this project now? Because our mission since 1936 has been and
20 WINTER 2023 K KEENELAND.COM
We can’t wait to share the new experiences with you. Cheers to blue skies ahead. KM
COMMITTED TO YOUR
SUCCESS
For more than 40 years, Lane’s End has pursued one mission: helping our partners achieve their goals in sales, breeding, and racing. That dedication to your success has guided us as we’ve stood with our fellow horsemen through the ups and downs of the industry—and will continue to guide us as we look toward our shared future.
ACCELERATE | ARCANGELO | CANDY RIDE (ARG) | CATALINA CRUISER | CITY OF LIGHT | CONNECT | DAREDEVIL FLIGHTLINE | GAME WINNER | GIFT BOX | HONOR A. P. | LIAM’S MAP | MINESHAFT | QUALITY ROAD THE FACTOR | TONALIST | TWIRLING CANDY | UNION RAGS | UP TO THE MARK | WEST COAST
lanesend.com | t: 859.873.7300
HARD TO GET YOUR
Contributors
WINTER 2023
HEAD AROUND!
15
G1 WINNERS
25
G1 HORSES
50
GRADED STAKES WINNERS
100 100
GRADED STAKES HORSES
BLACK TYPE WINNERS
200 BLACK TYPE HORSES
IT’S JUST PERFECT HOW HIS VITAL STATISTICS STACK UP.
WILLIAM BOWDEN
AMY OWENS
(A Heartfelt Cause) most recently worked as publications editor at Transylvania University. He was formerly a writer and an editor at the Somerset (Kentucky) Commonwealth Journal, the Lexington Herald Leader, and the National Tour Association.
(Keeneland News/ Connections) is Keeneland Communications Associate.
LIANE CROSSLEY (Set in Stone; Moving In, Moving Out) has spent her career in Thoroughbred racing-related jobs in barns, press boxes, and offces. A seasonal member of Keeneland’s media team, she has had her work appear in BloodHorse, Daily Racing Form, Thoroughbred Daily News, Breeders’ Cup website, Horse Illustrated, European Bloodstock News, and Young Rider.
CYNTHIA GRISOLIA (Bringing a Story to Life) Originally from New York, Cynthia Grisolia is a freelance editor and journalist living in Versailles, Kentucky. Her articles have appeared in Keeneland, BloodHorse, Kentucky Monthly, Equestrian Quarterly, and others.
PATTI NICKELL
HARD SPUN Send him your mares. And multiply...
22 WINTER 2023 K KEENELAND.COM
(Community Spirit) is a freelance travel writer whose work has appeared in major newspapers and national magazines. She currently writes travel articles for the Lexington Herald Leader.
LENNY SHULMAN (Sales Mainstay) is a senior correspondent for BloodHorse and the author of “Head to Head: Conversations with a Generation of Horse Racing Legends,” “Justify: 111 Days to Triple Crown Glory,” and “Ride of Their Lives: The Trials and Turmoil of Today’s Top Jockeys.”
MARYJEAN WALL (What Friends Are For) won multiple Eclipse Awards during her 35 years as Turf writer for the Lexington Herald Leader. In addition to “Madam Belle: Sex, Money, and Infuence in a Southern Brothel,” she is the author of “How Kentucky Became Southern: A Tale of Outlaws, Horse Thieves, Gamblers, and Breeders.” She holds a doctorate from the University of Kentucky.
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Keeneland News COMPILED BY AMY OWENS
WINTER 2023
KEENELAND HAS MEMORABLE FALL MEET
24 WINTER 2023 K KEENELAND.COM
MATHEA KELLEY
O
ver 17 days from Oct. 6-28, Keeneland had a successful fall meet, which featured spectacular Toroughbred racing from the sport’s best horses and riders, enthusiastic crowds, idyllic fall weather, and a slate of popular special events to support the industry and community. Tey combined to produce total all-sources wagering on Keeneland racing of $201.7 million, the second-highest fall meet handle and fourth-highest handle in track history. “Te fall meet was terrifc from start to fnish, and we are thankful for the strong support of our participants, fans, and community,” Keeneland President and CEO Shannon Arvin said. “It was rewarding to see crowds line the rail through the very last race every day, savoring all the excitement this season had to ofer. And with the recent announcement of our new Paddock Building and Saddling Paddock enhancements (see page 58), we look forward to ofering even more unique experiences for our guests in the future.” Up to the Mark, left, edged Master of The Seas in a thrilling renewal of the $1 All-sources wagering (not including whole-card million Coolmore Turf Mile Stakes on opening weekend. simulcasting at Keeneland) totaled $201.7 million, Leading horsemen were jockey Tyler down 3.43% from last year’s fall meet record of Gafalione with 25 wins; trainer Brad Cox $208.9 million. On-track wagering of nearly $16.3 with 13 victories; and Sheikh Mohammed million marked an increase of 5.96% from last year’s bin Rashid Al Maktoum’s Godolphin and $15.3 million. Richard Rigney’s Rigney Racing, which Average daily purses of $1,135,604 during the tied for leading owner with four wins season attracted full, competitive felds that averaged each. 9.1 starters per race. In other highlights, jockey Corey Keeneland ofered 22 stakes worth a record $9.05 Lanerie recorded the 5,000th victory million. A total of $5.55 million was awarded during 11 of his career to become the 38th North stakes on opening Fall Stars Weekend, eight of which American rider to reach the milestone. A were Breeders’ Cup Challenge Series stakes that secured longtime regular on the Kentucky circuit, for the winners automatic entry into the Breeders’ Cup Lanerie is Keeneland’s sixth-leading rider World Championships on Nov. 3-4 at Santa Anita. A of all time by wins with 276. total of 13 horses pre-entered in the Breeders’ Cup won Owner Peter Brant scored an exacta in stakes at Keeneland during the season. the First Lady Presented by UK Health“We’re blessed to have North America’s top jockeys Tyler Gaffalione, on O’Connor Care as Gina Romantica collared defendafter the Hagyard Stakes, earned and trainers compete here, and this fall was made the leading rider title. ing champion and stablemate In Italian even more special by the participation of such inter(GB) in deep stretch to win by a head. national stars as trainer Saeed bin Suroor and jockeys Brant recorded his third consecutive First Lady win for his eighth Jamie Spencer and Oisin Murphy,” Keeneland Vice President of graded stakes victory overall here, earning for him a Keeneland Racing Gatewood Bell said. “Te level of talent of horses, trainers, Tray as part of the track’s signature Milestone Trophy Program. and riders makes Keeneland a destination for the best in racing.”
2024 staLLion roster arMy MuLe
good Magic
Midnight Lute
$25,000 LFSN
$125,000 LFSN
$10,000 LFSN
charLatan
Kantharos
Mucho Macho Man
$50,000 LFSN
$15,000 LFSN
$7,500 LFSN
curLin
Loggins
VioLence
$250,000 LFSN
New for 2024 - $7,500 LFSN
$60,000 LFSN
ghostzapper
MacLean’s Music
WorLd of troubLe
$75,000 LFSN
$40,000 LFSN
$5,000 LFSN
5 4-1-0
$4,047,200 Charlatan, a Multiple Grade 1 Winning Multimillionaire, whose first crop weanlings sell in November
www.hillndalefarms.com
LGB, LLC 2023 / Photo: Bobby Shiflet
SEPTEMBER SALE KEEPS PACE WITH LAST YEAR’S RECORD RUN
26 WINTER 2023 K KEENELAND.COM
ANNE M. EBERHARDT
L
arge crowds of enthusiastic buyers from around the world participated in Keeneland’s 80th September yearling sale from Sept. 11-23. Te auction yielded strong results, topped by the sale of a colt by Into Mischief for $3 million, while gross sales of $394,127,900 for 2,754 horses established a record average price of $143,111. Te auction produced the thirdhighest gross for through-the-ring sales in Keeneland history following the September sale last year ($405 million) and in 2006 ($399 million). “Te September sale is unmatched in terms of generating excitement and optimism around the world for our sport; there’s just not anything quite like the positive energy you feel on the sales grounds during these two weeks,” Keeneland President and CEO Shannon Arvin said. “We so appreciate our buyers, consignors, and sellers and thank them for bringing their best horses to this market. Teir love of the horse and their passion for racing are evidenced in everything they do, and we are happy they were rewarded for their thoughtful planning and hard work.” Tirty yearlings sold for $1 million or more to equal last year’s mark. Sonson, Woodford, West Point and LEB, agent, bought the sale-topper. Te September sale boasts great diversity in the buying bench through the Keeneland sales team’s global yearround outreach and recruitment strategy. Buyers from nearly every U.S. state and 31 countries representing Europe, Asia, the Middle East, Central and South America, and Australia converged at Keeneland.
An Into Mischief colt topped the September sale at $3 million.
Te Japanese buying contingent was the largest ever to attend, and buyers from China, Korea, and Saudi Arabia also were active. Te leading buyer was Donato Lanni, agent for SF/Starlight/Madaket, who purchased 20 yearlings — topped by a $1.1 million Into Mischief colt — for $12.59 million. Lanni bought on behalf of several clients throughout the sale and paid a record session-topping price of $185,000 for a Silent Name (JPN) colt on the fnal day. Prominent international buyers included Coolmore’s M.V. Magnier, who on his own spent $6.15 million for fve yearlings, and Sheikha Hissa Hamdan Al Maktoum’s Shadwell Racing, which paid the top price on opening day of $2.3 million for a flly by Into Mischief. Gainesway earned its frst title as leading consignor by selling 137 yearlings for $43,573,000. During the frst three sessions, Gainesway sold nine horses for $1 million or more led by the $2.3 million high seller on opening day.
Brereton C. Jones, who was widely respected for his leadership and integrity while serving the Toroughbred industry and the Commonwealth of Kentucky as governor and lieutenant governor, died Sept. 18. He was 84. “His passion for horses and the land knew no bounds and culminated in his beloved Airdrie Stud, which for more than 50 years has been one of the world’s foremost breeding operations,” Keeneland President and CEO Shannon Arvin said. “He believed in racing and worked tirelessly to improve our sport as a founding member of Breeders’ Cup and the Kentucky Equine Education Project, a member of Te Jockey Club, and by championing formation of the Kentucky Brereton C. Jones Breeders’ Incenfounded Airdrie Stud. tive Fund.” Jones, who was from West Virginia, met Elizabeth (Libby) Lloyd during a visit to Keeneland. Tey married and by 1972 had moved to Kentucky. As he ofen said during his campaigns, “I came to Kentucky by choice, not by chance.” Te Joneses founded Airdrie, which became an internationally renowned farm covering 2,000 acres of prime Woodford County land. Horses bred there raced in the Kentucky Derby, won three Kentucky Oaks, and captured 24 grade 1 stakes. At the 2023 Keeneland September yearling sale, Airdrie sold a colt by Not Tis Time for $1.35 million. “At Keeneland,” Arvin said, “we will remember Gov. Jones fondly as a breeder, owner, consignor and buyer of the highest caliber, and for being a valued member of our advisory board. We will celebrate his life and contributions, and the tremendous legacy he leaves behind.”
ANNE M. EBERHARDT
INDUSTRY LEADER BRERETON C. JONES DIES
VOLATILE
SKY MESA
BY VIOLENCE OUT OF MELODY LADY
BY PULPIT OUT OF CARESS
$15,000 LFSN
$10,000 LFSN
FUNTASTIC
PALACE MALICE
BY MORE THAN READY OUT OF QUIET DANCE
BY CURLIN OUT OF PALACE RUMOR
$5,000 LFSN
$7,500 LFSN
GUN RUNNER BY CANDY RIDE (ARG) OUT OF QUIET GIANT
$250,000 LFSN “The record book is well and truly ripped to shreds. Gun Runner - remember the name.” ~ Sporting Life
LGB, LLC 2023 / Photo: EquiSport Photos
Connections WINTER 2023
1 | BIG WIN Corey Lanerie recorded the 5,000th victory of his career when he rode I Feel the Need to win Keeneland’s third race on Oct. 18. Lanerie is one of 38 jockeys to reach the milestone.
2
KEENELAND LIBRARY
1
the Heart of The Turf Raci ng's ng s Black Pion eers
3
COADY PHOTOGRAPHY
Noted Southern California racing photographer Katey Barrett died Oct. 21 at age 91. In 2014, Barrett donated 13,000 color transparencies and hundreds of prints and programs to Keeneland Library, which featured her work in an exhibit. “Acquiring the Barrett Collection was the most signifcant acquisition in our recent history, and Katey was a steadfast friend and advocate of the Library,” said Library Director Roda Ferraro.
COADY PHOTOGRAPHY
2 | INTO THE LIGHT
4 Presented by Keeneland Library
4 | MAKE-A-WISH On the 16th Make-A-Wish Day Oct. 12, children and their families enjoyed a VIP day at the races. Jockey Alex Achard celebrated his victory in the sixth race with Wish Kid Nacho.
5
5 | HOME RUN
6 | HALL OF FAMERS
Former Major League Baseball player Jason Werth (sunglasses) appeared in the winner’s circle after his R Calli Kim, co-owned with Averill Racing, won the ninth race Oct. 15 for her third consecutive victory.
The 23 inductees into the Lexington African-American Sports Hall of Fame on Sept. 23 included jockeys Oliver Lewis, winner of the frst Kentucky Derby in 1875, and Racing Hall of Famer Isaac Murphy. In attendance were Lewis’ great-granddaughter, Ruth Johnson-Watts, and her son, Rodney Van Johnson.
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VICTOR HUGO PHOTOGRAPHY
COADY PHOTOGRAPHY
A companion book to Keeneland Library’s exhibit, “The Heart of the Turf: Racing’s Black Pioneers,” features the contributions of more than 100 African Americans in Thoroughbred breeding and racing. The book is available at the library and The Keeneland Shop for $10. Proceeds benef t the Keeneland Library Foundation. The exhibit runs through Dec. 8.
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3 | ESSENTIAL READING
S TA R T Y O U R Y E A R R I G H T THE RIGHT OPPORTUNITIES ARE RIGHT HERE.
Keeneland January Horses of All Ages Sale Sale Begins Monday, Jan. 8
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LI NE ST W IN G
Ch antecl air Fa r m , 26 0 Ac res
Beautiful and functional Chanteclair Farm consists of 260 acres of the fnest quality soils in Kentucky, this property is a turn-key opportunity to any discerning horseman. Amenities include 9 large plank fenced felds, 19 paddocks, 18 stall broodmare barn, 18 Stall yearling barn, 6 horse equiciser, 60ft round pen, yearling show area, large hay and bedding storage barn, and large run in shed with catch paddock and spring water to the entire farm. Beautiful topography, miles of plank fencing, asphalt roadways, an offce/residence and two brick employee houses. Near Lane’s End, Airdrie and Clearsky Farms. Listing Price $6,500,000
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A ik en Pla ce , 1 1 2 Ac res
Aiken Place is a fully turn-key 112 acre horse farm that includes 52 stalls in 4 wonderful barns, 3 plank fenced large felds, 8 paddocks, 3 employee or guest houses and The Col. John Steele House circa 1820 (renovation needed). Farm amenities include a large maintenance area with 3 bay shop and hay storage area, automatic waterers in all felds and paddocks, asphalt roadways and 3 gated entrances. Properties are adjacent and may be purchased together. Listing Price $4,500,000
Tom Biederman Broker/Auctioneer
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Mark Dixon (859) 552-5742 Lesley Ward (859) 361-3246 Westin Osborn (704) 975-4195 Maziar Torabi (859) 327-5496 Kyle Fannin (859) 699-1196 Missy Maclin (859) 948-0201
Beth Ann Heiner (502) 324-7474 Stephanie Jones-Nouvellet (859) 512-8812 Hunter McKinney (615) 618-7434 Melanie Peterson-Ramey (561) 870-6587 Chris Allen (859) 951-2051 Lisa Frederico (859) 229-3794
1076 Wellington Way Lexington, KY 40513 (859) 277-2030 BiedermanRealEstate.com
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Fe a t u re d L i st i n g s
Cave Spring Farm
$12,450,000
4347 Shelby Lane
$4,100,000
164 prime Fayette County acres neighboring Juddmonte and Overbrook Farms. The farm features 50 stalls in 3 barns, an outdoor riding arena, a 20m x 60m covered dressage arena, and plenty of pasture space. The main residence, built in 1922, features a frst foor primary bedroom suite, heart of pine fooring throughout, and 4 upstairs bedrooms. There is also a 2 bed/2bath cottage and a 3 bedroom manufactured home.
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LI NE ST W IN G
This absolutely stunning 744 acre property has been a productive farm for over two centuries with beautiful views from every direction, high quality soils, excellent fencing. Charming and practical 4 bedroom 3.5 bath Kentucky Farm house. Farm improvements include 61 stalls in 5 converted tobacco barns, a 6 horse equiciser, 52 ft round pen , 18 paddocks and several large felds all with appropriate plank fencing, auto waterers etc.
Woodlake Road
$2,225,100
100 Lighthouse Way
$1,625,000
605 Delaney Ferry
$1,995,000
This 128 acre property is elevated above neighboring properties and offers a charming view of the surrounding Bluegrass. Improvements include a new 620sqft quality built manufactured home, and 2 tobacco barns, one of which has 12 concrete block stalls in fair condition. This is a very unique opportunity with tremendous potential.
LI NE ST W IN G
Rolling hills and mature tree lines greet you as you drive through this pristine 148 acre Kentucky farm land. Just minutes from Stonestreet, Shadwell, and Blackburn farms, this property is situated in the heart of horse country. The land is in near perfect condition and is ready to be put to work and offers several beautiful building sites.
This immaculate residence on 14 pristine acres features 3 bedrooms, 2.5 baths, and a stunning open concept kitchen and living room. Additionally, there is an upstairs bonus room that could easily be used as a 4th bedroom and a framed and roughed in full basement. Bring your horses home too! Ten 14’x14’ stalls and a 13’ rubber paver aisleway, all 9 paddocks have auto-waterers and 3 of them contain brand new run-in sheds.
5203 Bethel Road
$3,250,000
Extremely well located 92 acre property, amenities are many and include a lovely 5,000 sqft, 4 bedroom 4.5 bath main residence situated next to a beautiful 2.2 acre lake! *34 stalls in 3 barns *5 paddocks with planked fence * 5 level to gently rolling large felds with great central Kentucky soils *Two auxiliary residences for guests or employees *40 ft round training pen *ample storage area for hay, bedding, and equipment.
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Spotlight On
Kim Wickens discovered that little had been written about one of Thoroughbred racing and breeding’s greatest horses. “I started doing research and began to think — very boldly — maybe I should try to write this.”
32 WINTER 2023 K KEENELAND.COM
BRINGING A STORY TO LIFE ★★★
KIM WICKENS’ FASCINATION WITH A COMMON LINK IN THE PEDIGREES OF 12 OF RACING’S 13 TRIPLE CROWN WINNERS LED TO HER WRITING AN ACCLAIMED BIOGRAPHY OF THE HORSE LEXINGTON
By Cynthia Grisolia | Photos by Bill Straus
KEENELAND.COM
K WINTER 2023 33
Spotlight On KIM WICKENS
I
n 1970 the skeleton of 19th century racehorse and stallion Lexington was found caked in dust in an attic above the Smithsonian Institution’s National Museum of Natural History building in Washington, D.C. Once a main exhibit in the museum’s Bone Hall, the painstakingly re-articulated frame — not unlike the profound details of the horse’s extraordinary life — had been all but forgotten. Afer decades of red tape, the mortal remains of Lexington’s legend came full circle in 2010, reclaimed by their namesake birthplace and put on display at the International Museum of the Horse at the Kentucky Horse Park. Tis past summer, with the release of her debut book, “Lexington: Te Extraordinary Life and Turbulent Times of America’s Legendary Racehorse” (Ballantine), author Kim Wickens has similarly restored history. But encapsulated in her book’s 400 pages are not just bare bones but also the luscious fesh, blood, and sinew of Lexington’s ofen remarkable, occasionally terrifying, but always fascinating tale from his birth in Kentucky in 1850 until his death at age 25 at the eminent Woodburn Stud, where he spent his career as a stallion.
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Released in July, “Lexington” has garnered excellent reviews and a nomination by the publisher for a Pulitzer Prize in the historical nonfction category.
COURTSEY OF THE INTERNATIONAL MUSEUM OF THE HORSE
“I love horse racing and I love racehorses, but I had never heard of Lexington,” said Wickens, who became aware of the horse’s legacy while reading a book about racing legend Man o’ War. “It was out of curiosity that I started looking into him, but there was nothing. I couldn’t believe that no one had written it,” Wickens added. “As I started discovering the layers, it seemed that this story needed to be brought to life.” Exhaustively researched (confrmed by more than 65 pages of acknowledgments, notes, bibliography, index, and photo credits), Wickens’ “Lexington” goes beyond the account of a champion horse to paint an impassioned picture of America in the antebellum era and beyond. It follows the bay son of Boston — himself a renowned racehorse — through the nascent days of the Sport of Kings, where top-tier horses contested four-mile heat races, grueling tests of endurance, through the backdrop of slavery and into the unrest and violence of the Civil War, which threatened
On loan from the Smithsonian Institution’s National Museum of Natural History, Lexington’s skeleton is at the Kentucky Horse Park’s International Museum of the Horse.
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K WINTER 2023 35
Spotlight On KIM WICKENS
Lexington’s very existence. In between, she vividly portrays the connections — among them his entrepreneurial owner Richard Ten Broeck and Woodburn’s trailblazing leader R. A. Alexander — who helped shape the horse’s dramatic legend. Highlighting that legend was a brief but brilliant racing career sidelined by painful blindness (he later earned the moniker “Te Blind Hero of Woodburn”); a blistering speed record set in 1855 (four miles in just over seven minutes, 19 seconds), making him the fastest horse in the world; a ferce track rivalry with his half brother; evading capture by sadistic Civil War marauders; and in the end, dominating Kentucky’s Toroughbred breeding industry to become America’s leading sire for 16 years. His bloodline can be traced through the pedigree of almost every news-making Toroughbred of the past century, including 12 of the 13 Triple Crown winners, numerous Kentucky Derby winners, and the past 14 Eclipse Award winners as Horse of the Year. Wickens indulges her lifelong love of horses at her Scott County Farm, where she has three horses. She schools Tattles (pictured) in dressage.
ONE WOMAN’S JOURNEY THROUGH THE PAST Originally from Texas, Wickens was a criminal defense attorney based in Albuquerque for nearly 20 years before becoming captivated by the story of Lexington, though horses, she noted, have always been a part of her life. “My grandfather was my horse inspiration,” said Wickens, sitting in the bright living room of the Scott County home she shares with her husband, Mike, and son, Connor. “He got me my frst pony. He also took me to the races at New Mexico’s Ruidoso Downs. But you grow up, go to college, go to law school, and horses disappeared out of my life,” she added. “It wasn’t until I was pretty settled as an adult that I went back.” It was a homecoming that led to a sweeping, and ofen personal, journey through the buried annals of the 19th century. Researching the book was nothing short of life-changing for Wickens, whose investigations had her shuttling between Albuquerque and Lexington for just about every vacation or long weekend. “In the course of doing that I fell in love with the city,” she said. “My husband started coming with me, and of course, we did all the tourist things: the horse farms, the bourbon tours. And we loved it.” So much so the Wickenses decided to relocate to the Bluegrass in 2020, eventually buying 10 acres near Georgetown and building a home overlooking the paddock where her three dressage horses — Tattles, a Holsteiner mare; Flash, an Appaloosa gelding; and Farraz, a Hanoverian gelding — spend cool evenings.
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Spotlight On KIM WICKENS
Completing her book has enabled Wickens to spend more time with family and horses.
But Wickens’ trip to bountiful wasn’t an easy one. Te near 10New York to the National Archives in Washington, D.C., and the year excursion took its toll and had considerable efect on family and Metairie Race Course (now Fair Grounds) in New Orleans, where friends. When her project got underway, son Connor was only 3, and Lexington became the poster boy for speed and stamina. Tat latter she was still a full-time attorney. “It took a lot of attribute came to be known as a horse’s “botjuggling,” said Wickens. “I primarily worked on tom.” But it was Keeneland Library that prothe book at night. It was a boring time for the vided a kind of home away from home, as did family, I must say.” the Woodford County Historical Society and When it came time to write, Wickens chose the Kentucky Historical Society in Frankfort, IT WAS IMPORTANT to step away from her law practice and devote which housed the archived papers and letters TO ME TO FORM herself to the book. It was a risky move, but of Woodburn’s Alexander. “It was important one fully supported by loved ones. “Mike, my to me to form my own conclusions and not MY OWN husband, enabled me to do that. It became a rely on conclusions formed by others,” said CONCLUSIONS…” little easier then for me to be a proper mom,” Wickens, “and so I tried to use primary sourcshe added. “Tis book has been in Connor’s es where I could, which was fairly easy since — KIM WICKENS life as long as he can remember it. He thinks there wasn’t a lot written about Lexington.” ON RESEARCHING it’s crazy that it took this long.” Te librarians at Keeneland (Wickens credAND WRITING HER BOOK He wasn’t the only one. Even friends viewed its the assistance of now-retired head librariWickens’ pursuits with skepticism. “Tey alans Cathy Schenck and Becky Ryder, among ways supported me by asking how the book was going, but I don’t others) provided Wickens with vast source material, including the think they thought anything would come of it,” said Wickens, “just oversized, yellowing pages of Turf, Field, and Farm and Spirit of the that I was following a wild dream.” Times, two periodicals of the era dedicated to Turf sports. “It was fascinating to thumb through those pages,” said Wickens. “I found TRAVEL CAN BE SO BROADENING myself getting lost in all these extraneous things of 19th century Wickens’ fact-fnding missions took her to various pit stops culture: What was the cost of things, what were their entertainaround the country, from Virginia to West Point and Saratoga in ments, what was the theater like, fashion, travel?”
‘‘
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Spotlight On KIM WICKENS
Wickens also started perusing websites and antique stores for frst-edition books and vintage magazines about racing, breeding, and the Civil War. Te immense collection now lines the foor-to-ceiling shelves of her home ofce. For a novice author, such an endeavor was not without its obstacles. In the beginning, Wickens acknowledged, she didn’t know what she was doing. Consequently, she wasted time on unnecessary trips and chasing down dead ends. “And I didn’t have a Smitten by the great stallion’s story, Wickens soon found herself equally charmed lot of confdence in myself to write,” she added. So by his birthplace. “I would take my vacations in Lexington, spend a week at a time, then go back to my other life and practice law. In the course of doing that I she began taking writing workshops to strengthen fell in love with the city.” her narrative style. “I’ve always written but for fun,” said Wickens. “And, of course, in the law, [writing is] all you do. became an ally by later endorsing Wickens’ book.) But transitioning from writing like a lawyer to not writing like a Wickens’ book even had some built-in sales potential. “We felt lawyer? Tat took some work.” that ‘Lexington’ had this selling combination of a great advenWhen it came time to corral the reams and reams of research docture story but set in a past era rich with colorful characters,” said uments, her skills as a legal eagle came in handy. “As a lawyer I did a Porter. “Plus, we had the huge success of [author Laura Hillenlot of federal work in multi-defendant drug cases, and they are wiretap brand’s] ‘Seabiscuit’ a number of years ago as a precedent of how cases where you’re dealing with thousands and thousands and thoua book on horse racing can sell,” she added, noting that Ballantine sands of documents. So that really helped in the organizational aspect. also publishes equine writer Elizabeth Letts (“Te Eighty DolBut also I had that mentality of wanting to get it right — because as a lar Champion,” “Te Perfect Horse”). “We know there’s a sizable lawyer you have to get it right. I couldn’t leave a stone unturned.” horse-loving readership out there.” Released in July, the book soon had critics gushing. It earned a FINDING A PUBLISHER spot as a USA Today bestseller and hit the American Booksellers As she sought a publisher, Wickens worked with her agent to Association nonfction list. It has been praised by such publicadevelop a 93-page sale proposal, but then she made a startling tions as AARP, the Washington Post, BloodHorse, and National discovery. Viking had just bought a novel by Pulitzer Prize-winGeographic, among many others. Encouraged by the reception, ning author Geraldine Brooks titled “Horse: A Novel,” a fctional Ballantine has submitted “Lexington” for Pulitzer Prize consideraccount revolving around a painting, a 19th century slave, and a ation in the historical nonfction category. Toroughbred named ... Lexington. “I was horrifed,” said Wick“I was very pleased that the publisher would do that,” said ens. “I was like oh, my God, I should just hang it up now.” Wickens. “We’re in round one, and that may be as far as it ever Nevertheless, Wickens’ book went gets, but it made me happy. We had to auction with several major puba little celebration when we got the lishing houses showing interest. In news,” she said with a laugh. “We the end, the Penguin Random House broke out a bottle of champagne.” imprint Ballantine Books acquired the manuscript. “We were initially LEXINGTON’S LEGACY worried that this bestselling author At Keeneland’s September yearling sale, had beat us to the fnish line,” said a blood bay colt with white hind socks Ballantine’s Vice President and Extopped the sale at a cool $3 million. Hip ecutive Editor Susanna Porter. “But number 261, he was the culmination of then we realized her book could help industry royalty: bred by popular ownattract readers to ours — readers er Mike Repole, sired by Spendthrif’s who wanted a nonfction version of Wickens’ home offce contains an immense amount top stallion Into Mischief, and escorted Lexington’s life and times.” (Brooks of research material she gathered for her book. through the rings by leading consignor
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Lane’s End. It’s not surprising to also blue horse (dubbed “Big Lex”) forged learn the colt’s bloodlines trace back as a tourism marketing tool? Lexington to Lexington. “Te phrase ‘shaper of — an image taken from Edward Troye’s the breed’ should be used warily, but I 1855 painting. (Te same image is on believe Lexington truly fts that descripthe cover of Wickens’ book.) Come tion,” said author and racing historian spring Lexington will be remembered Edward L. Bowen. “Te pattern that again at Keeneland when top 3-yearhe sired so many important horses that olds contest the grade 3 Lexington went into the breeding segment of the Stakes. And then there are those bones, American Toroughbred and that he standing erect afer nearly 200 years, has infuences still trickling down today further testament to the great stallion’s is remarkable.” unparalleled endurance, the defnitive Wickens is considering her next project, “but I don’t Brien Bouyea, communications di- think I could fnd another horse to write about that “bottom.” rector at the National Museum of Rac- would be as important to me as Lexington.” Wickens has been busy with book ing and Hall of Fame, where Lexington promotions and signings. (An event is was inducted in 1955, agrees. “It’s indisputable that Lexington was the planned at Keeneland Library sometime in January.) But while recepmost important American stallion of all time,” he said, adding that, tion has been enthusiastic and sales brisk, Wickens has no intention of “Telling the story of his life and infuence in detail adds important resting on her laurels. She has already begun plotting her next book. depth and knowledge about the early days of the sport.” “I like writing about history, and I have a couple of things I’m looking While Lexington’s eventful story had fallen into a void, the great at,” she said. “But I don’t want to write about horses. How can I write stallion’s legacy has long lurked in Kentucky’s zeitgeist. Tat statue in about another horse afer writing about Lexington? He’s the ultimate. Toroughbred Park downtown? Lexington. And that silhouette of a Right?” KM
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K WINTER 2023 41
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James Keogh cuts an imposing fgure on the Keeneland sale grounds.
44 WINTER 2023 K KEENELAND.COM
Longtime consignor and horseman JAMES KEOGH has built GROVENDALE SALES into a quiet force on the auction scene
SALES MAINSTAY By Lenny Shulman Photos by David Coyle
KEENELAND.COM
K WINTER 2023 45
SALES MAINSTAY
J
ames Keogh has spent most of his life in Lexington, but his attachment to his native Ireland, which instilled in him the love of the horse, remains ever present. Te homepage of his Grovendale Sales website shows the Irish coastline. Stately clifs jut up at right angles from the Atlantic, while clouds and sun fght to color the green-blue waters below. Verdant, fat blufs top the clifs, providing lush ground for stock to range. Te idyllic scene is a ftting backdrop for Keogh’s afnity for the horse, which has manifested itself for nearly 30 years at the helm of Grovendale. A boutique sales company given to personalized attention and highlighting each horse under its banner, Grovendale has earned its reputation as a trusted purveyor of Toroughbred stock at Keeneland auctions, from the September yearling sale to November’s breeding stock, weanling, and horses of racing age auctions, and on into January’s mixed sale. If Keogh’s Irish tweed cap isn’t distinctive enough, his stature, midway between six and seven feet, literally
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stands him out above the masses as he stalks a barn area or makes his daily visit to Keeneland’s saddling paddock during the races, studying conformation and noting family traits of the horses parading past. Although it has enjoyed steady success with its yearling consignments, Grovendale shines brightest in November, when freplaces and wood stoves start heating up in Central Kentucky and broodmares and broodmare prospects come to auction. Grovendale’s 2023 September consignment featured just under 50 yearlings, but its stalls in November are flled with 120 mares, weanlings, and horses of racing age. “I love selling yearlings, love every aspect of it,” Keogh stated. “But I really, really get excited for November. I have always had a passion for broodmares, and I very much focus on them and having a strong November. With yearlings, everything is riding on the X-rays. But you get a mare palpated and pronounced in foal before the November sale, and that’s the last thing you need from the vet. You’re ready to go. “I have a little bit of a reputation out there for having
Wearing his familiar Irish tweed cap, Keogh keeps a close eye as a horse in his consignment prepares to step into the auction ring.
nice mares, so around the end of summer, I start to feld phone calls: ‘What have you got this year, Keogh?’ I’m pretty pumped because we have some lovely stock to sell.” Keogh set the bar high with a stellar 2022 November sale, when Grovendale sold 54 broodmares/broodmare prospects for a gross of more than $5.7 million, earning a
place among the top 10 consignors at the auction. Included were sales of $750,000 for the Union Rags mare Ragged Rose and $700,000 for the Violence mare Querelle, which occurred just 15 hips apart. Keogh is building Grovendale out in another key way. He has hired Hailey Carroll to help on the administrative side. And nearly two years ago, he welcomed Chance Timm, a veteran of several top Kentucky farms, as a 50/50 partner in the operation, adding youth to the playing feld as Keogh matriculates through his 60s. For years, Keogh had brought Timm in on certain mares he was buying and selling, ofering him educational and fnancial benefts along the way. “Tat was a big deal for a broke kid coming out of college and looking to build a family,” Timm, 39, said. “Partnering on Grovendale was something we’d discuss and we fnally decided the time was right. “Tere wasn’t a plan going in, but we found our niche. Te technology and communications aspects are something that are more of a strength of my generation. Tat’s allowed James to focus on identifying fllies to purchase and manage. I’m grateful he’s given me this opportunity.” It is not surprising that Keogh lasers in on the present and future. He has continued to strengthen Grovendale year over year and refuses to rest on his portfolio. “I don’t look at it as I’ve been doing this for 30 years,” stated Keogh. “I try and look forward. Tat’s why the car’s windshield is so big and the rearview mirror so small.”
Keogh founded Grovendale after gaining experience at Gainesway Farm under original owner John R. Gaines.
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SALES MAINSTAY
Chance Timm joined Keogh as a partner in Grovendale two years ago.
SIX MONTHS BECOMES A LIFETIME His personal rearview mirror includes an upbringing in County Clare, Ireland, where, despite coming from a family not engaged with horses, Keogh and his friends fox-hunted and rode show jumpers. Keogh felt far more passion for horses than his schooling, a choice not wholeheartedly endorsed by his father. “I think he colluded with a man down in Country Limerick to teach me a lesson,” Keogh said. “I went down there for a summer and worked 16 hours a day and rode about 20 horses daily. I didn’t know what I was doing, but it made me more motivated to learn.”
His father’s plan clearly backfred. Keogh went of to study agriculture in college, and then in the early 1980s, he moved on to the famed Irish National Stud program under Michael Osborne, undoubtedly the greatest training ground for horsemen in that era. Hundreds of graduates populate management and ownership positions at horse farms throughout the world, with Kentucky harboring many dozens of them. Noted Irish horseman Capt. Tim Rogers of Airlie Stud told Keogh he’d have a job waiting for him if Keogh frst did a six-month stint in America to expand his horizons. Keogh arrived in Kentucky in 1982 to work under John R. Gaines at his Gainesway Farm outside Lexington. “I thought I’d landed in the greatest place this side of heaven,” Keogh recalled. “Tere were 56 stallions in residence; six of the top 12 stallions in the world stood there. We were breeding more than 100 mares a day. Afer three days, I knew I wouldn’t be going back to Ireland in six months. It was the most amazing time of my life.” Asked if it was tough to leave his family behind across the Atlantic, Keogh didn’t hesitate. “No. Tey weren’t horse people, so we didn’t have a whole lot in common. I can pick up a phone and call them.” Helping ease his transition was the fact that Gaines had imported prodigiously talented European talent such as Lyphard, Green Dancer, Irish River, Vaguely Noble, and Riverman to cross with American bloodlines. Tus, Keogh worked in proximity to Blushing Groom, on whom he had placed a wager to win the Irish Derby, walking out of a secondary school math exam to get the wager down at a local pub. “He won at 33-1, and I had a great afnity for him at Gainesway,” Keogh noted. On his frst day of from work he also made the pilgrimage to Claiborne Farm to visit his equine hero Nijinsky. “Te frst time I set foot on a racetrack was in June 1972, when I saw
Timm and Keogh bring different strengths to the operation. The younger partner has technological savvy among other skills while Keogh’s keen eye allows him to focus on identifying fllies and mares that ft the program.
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While the action is usually nonstop, Keogh and his team take a momentary pause during the September yearling sale.
Nijinsky win the Irish Derby. I had bet a horse that was 57-1, and I learned a math lesson that resonated with me: Te diference between 6-1 and 57-1 is about a quarter of a mile. “I always loved Nijinsky. He won the Triple Crown in Europe, which hasn’t been done since. He sired the Epsom Derby winner and the Kentucky Derby winner in the same year, and no one else had done that, either. For me, he was the king.” Afer seven years at Gainesway, Keogh informed Gaines that he wanted to start consigning horses. Gaines met him at Keeneland the following day.
“I was still young, 29 or 30, and it’s America, so you can just pick up and fnd an opportunity,” Keogh said. “It was the September sale, and I walked the sales grounds with Mr. Gaines and he introduced me around. ‘Tis is my man Keogh, and he’s going into the consigning business, and it would be good of you to support him.’ For a man like him to put his hand on my shoulder like that, you can’t imagine how positive an efect that had. “So, I walked Mr. Gaines back to his car and asked, ‘Are you going to send me horses to sell?’ And he said, ‘Oh, hell no. You can practice on these guys’ horses, and if you do any good and you’re still in business in a couple of years, I might consider it.’ ”
SKIP DICKSTEIN
TRUSTED ADVISER
Wife Anne and daughter Georgia share Keogh’s love of horses.
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Keogh has done some good. He carries with him now a rash of certitude and a decisiveness burnished by decades of experience. And he would much rather work side by side with a client than simply move a sales horse into the auction ring and be done with it. “Where possible, I try to counsel clients,” he said. “Rendering opinions as to matings. Portfolio management. Give input on claims. Tell a client when a mare needs to come of the racetrack before it’s too late. It’s a year-round job. Tere is a horse to be bought and a horse to be sold and a horse to be moved every day. It’s about opportunity. As ofen as the sun comes up and goes down, there is an opportunity to buy a horse. Tat doesn’t mean one ought to buy one every day, but there is an opportunity.” Selling also presents opportunity, and organizations such as Coolmore, WinStar Farm, and Machmer Hall — all major breeders and players in the Toroughbred world — entrust Grovendale to
SALES MAINSTAY
Keogh particularly enjoys selling and buying mares. “When people are looking at mares, it’s the three Ps: physical, pedigree, and performance.”
show of their stock to best afect and attract top prices at auction. Said Carrie Brogden of Machmer Hall, “Tere is no person I would trust more than James to give a spot-on mare appraisal. He knows pedigrees backward and forward. Just a fabulous horseman and a friend for more than two decades.” Selling young horses as weanlings and yearlings is far diferent than selling mares as broodmare prospects, and each requires a defnitive skill set. “With young horses, it’s so much in the moment,” allowed Keogh. “Tey are being judged right there on the spot. Buyers are making assessments as to what they’ll be down the road, and that’s a very high threshold to cross. “With the mares, it’s a broader spectrum. It’s considering the foal she’s carrying but also the mating that the buyer has in mind down the road for her. Her history and her past. When people are looking at mares, it’s the three Ps: physical, pedigree, and performance. Mares have to come from some semblance of a family, because history does repeat itself. And then, it’s nice to see a mare that made plenty of starts, was sound, and was a credible racemare. “Conformation matters. Pretty mares get pretty foals. Tat is true
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and predictable 90% of the time. Big, good-looking mares in general beget good-looking stock.” Also key to selling successfully is ensuring the mare is at the absolute top of her game on auction day. Although Keogh does not prep client horses prior to sales, he does maintain his own broodmare band, which he gets in peak shape before leading them into the sales ring. “We have a long process, starting 90 days before a sale,” he noted. “We must get their weight right — some of them you have to increase their weight; others you have to take weight of. You want those mares looking spectacular, so that when they walk out there, they are the very best they can be. Teir feet have to be done. Teir manes have to be done perfect. Not good but the best. You’re feeding them, you’re grooming them, you’re managing them; in some cases you’re exercising them. Constantly doing everything you can to make that horse be all it can be on the day.” Afer bringing the horse to optimum shape, the art of selling must also be addressed. Here, Keogh makes sure he gathers as much information on each sales prospect as possible. He prepares to tell prospective buyers every piece of intel on the mare’s race record, pedigree, speed fgures, produce record. Said Keogh, “I compose the maximum amount of information on that horse because you never know what little nugget will resonate with a buyer.” And handling that interaction with a potential customer is at the heart of how a successful consignor operates. “Te great mistake so ofen made is not realizing what business we’re in,” Keogh said. “We’re not really in the horse business; we’re in the people business. Sure, it’s important how you handle the horses, but nothing supersedes being proper to clients and treating people right. Tat’s what separates the top organizations. Look at
Staff groom mares destined for the November breeding stock sale.
THE JOCKEY CUFF Available in-store
SALES MAINSTAY
the big picture: You have a mare, and she’s going to drop 12 or 13 foals. She’s around for 15, 16 years. If you take care of a good client, they’ll be around 40 years. It’s that personal touch, and that’s something we haven’t lost.” Sally Lockhart of Ballyrankin Stud near Lexington has known Keogh since before he formed Grovendale and confrms the veracity of this being a people business. “James has sent me clients and helped me out in times of need,” she said. “He’s a true friend and a wizard of a horseman. Nobody knows the pedigree book better; his recollection of families and what they look like is remarkable.” Afer Keogh and a client, Ron Stolich, bought the mare Singing Kitty privately in 2016, they sent her to Lockhart, who took care of the mare and got her in foal to Medaglia d’Oro. Grovendale wound up selling Singing Kitty the following year for $750,000 at Keeneland November.
EQUINE-CENTRIC Keogh, who claims he has no hobbies outside his involvement with horses, has taken a deeper dive into racing the past few years. He boasts a near-perfect attendance record during the October and April meetings at Keeneland and is claiming a few head for himself. His attendance is bufeted by the fact he and his wife, Anne Eberhardt, live but a
Keogh enjoys other equestrian sports such as fox hunting. He serves as a master of the Long Run Woodford Hounds.
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long par fve down Versailles Road from the racetrack. Eberhardt, the longtime chief photographer/visuals director of BloodHorse magazine, knows the equine industry as well as her husband and serves as Keogh’s good-humored partner through their 38 years of marriage. Tey have a daughter, Georgia. “Well, Anne’s great fun, and I’ve tested her sense of humor many times in the horse business,” Keogh said. “She will occasionally come in with me on a horse, but she also provides a needed balance. Last year at Keeneland I claimed an expensive mare. It was the last day of the October meet, when in celebration of Halloween Keeneland has that headless horseman ride down the racetrack. “So, I come back home that evening with my chest out, very proud of the claim, and Anne looks at me and says, ‘Tere was more than one headless horseman at Keeneland this afernoon.’ ” Keogh makes it a point to help Toroughbreds once their racing careers have ended. As a master with the Long Run Woodford Hounds fox-hunting group, he identifes horses coming of the racetrack that he can ride and then fnd a home for down the road. Currently, he is hunting with Arklow, a 9-year-old who was a grade 1 winner of more than $3 million before running out of steam last season. (Arklow recently was a big winner at the Retired Racehorse Project’s Toroughbred Makeover competition.) “If you can get a really good horse, they have the aptitude to please. Tey’re super intelligent and get things on a high level,” Keogh said. “Toroughbreds are gamer than other breeds, and they make great hunters if the heart and desire are there. Te horses have been good to me, and if I can give back along the way, I do it.” Although he never returned to Ireland to live, Keogh does keep it close at hand. Te Grovendale moniker is taken from the name of his parents’ home back in County Clare. But to make a living with horses, Keogh quickly determined there is no better place to be than Central Kentucky. “It’s a business here, and until very recently in Ireland, it was a sport,” he said. “Te purse structure in Ireland makes it difcult to have a real business. When you’re at Keeneland, you’re at the epicenter of the horse industry. What Wall Street is to the fnancial world, Keeneland is to horses. Tere isn’t an important player in the world of horse racing that doesn’t have a visibility here in the Bluegrass.” With that, Keogh and Timm make plans to meet at a cofeehouse early the following morning before going out to inspect a client’s stock on the other side of Lexington. Tere is always another sale and another opportunity. “My passion? Oh, heck, yeah, I have as much as ever,” Keogh said. “It’s like fshing. You have to put your hook in the water every day. You won’t catch one every day, but man, you can’t stop trying.” KM
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1090 James Lane Godolphin’s continual refinement of its portfolio has resulted in an unparalleled opportunity. Developed with expertise and unerring attention to detail, 1090 James Lane offers world-class equine facilities in a desirable locale. The farm originated from formerly unimproved land and has been meticulously maintained. Gated entrances with mature landscaping lend gravitas to the more than 2.8 miles of paved roads winding through the farm’s 450 acres. Every feature has been situated to emphasize the farm’s gently rolling hills and desirable viewsheds. INQUIRIES Zach Davis, Broker Zach@KirkFarms.com 859.576.8195
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SET IN STONE Keeneland Plans New Paddock Building and Saddling Paddock Enhancements
KEENELAND PHOTOS
By Liane Crossley
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eeneland announced plans in October for major capital investment projects highlighted by the construction of a permanent paddock building and a reimagined saddling experience. Te new paddock building will expand viewing and dining options for the public during race meets, enhance hospitality during Keeneland’s Toroughbred auctions, and provide exceptional new venues for special events year-round.
Furthering Keeneland’s culture of equine safety, the saddling stalls will be repositioned to provide the safest environment possible for horses and riders and to give fans an unmatched view of the saddling paddock. Te project is the largest since Keeneland welcomed its frst fans nearly 90 years ago and marks the frst major construction since Keeneland Library was built in 2002. Tese new structures will be architecturally consistent with the track’s existing clubhouse and grandstand and feature the two-over-two pattern of stonework unique to Keeneland. Construction is scheduled to begin at the conclusion of Keeneland’s 2024 January horses of all ages sale and be completed in the fall of 2025. Keeneland’s race meets and sales will continue at full capacity during construction. “Keeneland’s founding mission is to be a model racetrack, to invest in the future of our sport, to enrich our Central Kentucky community, and to always do what is best for the horse,” Keeneland President and CEO Shannon Arvin said. “Tis project is central to our mission A rendering of the entrance to the new paddock building shows its multiple stories and Keeneland’s unique stonework.
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because it will allow us to welcome more fans and give them a variety of world-class experiences. Te improvements to our saddling processes are not only functional in providing more space, but the results will also ofer unobstructed views to showcase the beauty and pageantry of our equine and human athletes.” Te three-level paddock building is planned in the current footprint of the Keeneland administrative building and jockeys quarters and will extend the entire length of the paddock and walking ring. Te venue will feature a variety of ticketed experiences for the public, including traditional sit-down dining, new bar concepts, and a panoramic roofop. Te paddock building also will include a reconfgured entrance and expand the area inside the gates around the historic sycamore tree. “We spent a great deal of time looking at racing venues and sports facilities around the world for inspiration,” Arvin said. “We also talked to our stakeholders and fans to understand what they love most about spending a day at Keeneland. Tis new facility will allow us to provide a variety of unique experiences allowing more fans to enjoy the fnest hospitality in sports.” A new jockeys quarters will be housed in the paddock building, giving fans a unique view of the riders walking through the venue before each race. To accommodate the paddock building, a two-story operations building is planned for construction within walking distance of the racetrack that will enable Keeneland to consolidate core business and operations teams under one roof. Keeneland is working with state and local government to secure incentive funds for the project, which is expected to cost nearly $93 million. With the recommendation of the Tourism, Arts and Heritage Cabinet, Keeneland received preliminary approval from the Kentucky Tourism Development Finance Authority for incentives totaling up to $23.2 million to support the project. “Keeneland is a historic destination for our local families and travelers, and this exciting investment will create more opportunities for everyone to enjoy, while boosting our signature horse racing industry and Kentucky’s $12.9 billion tourism industry,” said Gov. Andy Beshear. “Te horse racing industry is as indispensable to our economy as it is to our culture, and
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afer a record-breaking year for tourism in 2022, leaders like Keeneland are going to help ensure Kentucky’s success continues for years to come.” “When Keeneland makes changes — and that doesn’t happen very ofen — they are always done with excellence,” Lexington Mayor Linda Gorton said. “Keeneland attracts thousands of tourists to our community, who fll up our restaurants and our hotels. With this change, Keeneland will be able to welcome even more guests.” Global design frm Populous will carry out exterior and interior architecture and design, landscape design, and branding. Trough its vast expertise creating world-class equestrian facilities, racecourses, and exhibitions buildings, Populous has focused on weaving the beauty and traditions of Keeneland and the majesty and safety of the horse throughout the design. Opened in 1936, Keeneland is renowned for world-class Toroughbred racing and industry-leading sales under one mission-driven entity. Te track’s revered grounds were designated a National Historic Landmark in 1986. “Tis exciting project will be the frst in a number of enhancements to our trackside experience, sales facilities, and the backstretch community,” said Arvin. “Tis is an investment in the advancement of Keeneland’s mission: to strengthen our industry and the future of our sport for generations to come.” KM A redesigned saddling area will provide more space and give race-goers an unobstructed view of horses being readied to race.
The paddock building, as seen from Keeneland Boulevard, will allow Keeneland to welcome more fans. The new construction will include expanded space inside the gates. KEENELAND.COM
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MOVING IN
Keeneland Director of Maintenance Walter (Wally) Wallace, center, checks that everything is in order while maintenance supervisor Charlie Hobbs, right, documents the transfer of sold horses to an assigned barn. Other maintenance supervisors are Nathan Pasley and Andrew Sears.
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Keeneland barn area is in constant motion at auction time By Liane Crossley Photos by Mark Mahan
AND
PHOTO CREDIT
MOVING OUT By Louis Guida Photos by Lee Thomas
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MOVING IN AND MOVING OUT
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Consignors decorate their barns with awnings, signage, and fowers.
Wallace and Keeneland Stable Manager Wayne Mogge, seated, review barn assignments and work schedules.
Te formula seems impossible: provide housing for more Toroughbreds than the 1,569-stall Keeneland stable area can accommodate at once.
IN THE BEGINNING
But through logistical precision and hard work behind the scenes, Keeneland staf move thousands of horses in a tight time frame during each sale. Te recent September yearling sale recorded 3,452 Toroughbreds through the auction ring with 2,884 sold, while the ongoing November breeding stock sale has more than 3,500 horses cataloged.
Before the physical work begins, the brainwork starts in earnest when auction entries are fnalized for Keeneland’s fve annual events in January, April, September, and November. With a mass of entrants, the September sale — the world’s largest Toroughbred yearling auction — presents the added challenge of inspecting most prospects afer the early May entry day.
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“Tere are a lot of brains behind this operation, but there is a lot more brawn,” said Keeneland Director of Maintenance Walter (Wally) S.D. Wallace II.
For Keeneland Vice President of Sales Tony Lacy and his team, the work begins well in advance of the actual auctions.
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MOVING IN AND MOVING OUT
Left, in addition to a hip number that a yearling wears for identifcation, a tiny, numbered tag is secured to its tail, above. Below, maintenance crews head to the next barn to clean it.
“We look over all the entries and then flter down the metrics of top stallions, horses closely related to stakes horses, etc., to fnd the best 65% of the entrants [more than 4,200 in 2023] and inspect those in person,” said Vice President of Sales Tony Lacy. Afer inspections are complete in midJune, Keeneland and consignors regroup to strategize placement in the sale. “We make sure we have a good distribution of quality throughout,” Lacy said. “We want diversity in each session of horses geared for turf, dirt, distance, and sprinting and a balance of colts and fllies by a variety of stallions. Tat process takes about two weeks.” Te next phase is barn assignments, which is tricky considering barns are used multiple times. “We try to get consignors in the same barn throughout the three rotations so their equipment, stall signs, etc., do not have to be moved,” Lacy said. “And we want every consignor to have as much show space as possible, and we want small consignments spread evenly with the large consignors. Sellers become comfortable in their territory and generally are assigned the same
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barns each year. Buyers also enjoy seeing the sellers in a familiar place.” Lacy, Director of Sales Operations Cormac Breathnach, and their co-workers strive to accommodate everyone. “We get feedback from consignors about where they feel their horses should be placed in the catalogs,” Lacy said. “We categorize them into the marketplace for
where we feel they best ft.” When this phase is complete, catalog indexes are fnalized with selling order categorized by hip numbers. Te notation is based alphabetically (not necessarily starting with “A”) on horse name or by dam’s name if not of racing age within each session or book. Afer hip numbers and barns are fnalized, consignors make their own
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MOVING IN AND MOVING OUT
A strict schedule ensures a barn is cleaned and raked — sometimes within hours — after its occupants are sold and leave the grounds or move to temporary stabling.
stall assignments within their allotted stalls. Te placements are recorded by Keeneland Stable Manager Wayne Mogge and his staf.
MIDDLE GROUND AND EXIT STRATEGY Before the Toroughbreds arrive, consignors decorate their barns with signage, short awnings, plants, and other touches and ready the stalls. Keeneland provides water buckets, with consignors responsible for all other trappings. Te stage is now set. Afer preview days, the auction goes on in rhythmic nonstop fashion. Behind the scenes is the constant motion of arrivals and departures, consignors regrouping, and buyers hustling to and from the sales pavilion. With foot traffc, golf carts, and vehicles everywhere, the grounds resemble a busy airport hub. Congestion is particularly heavy in the loading areas as oversized semitrucks and small vans
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converge like planes on a runway. Keeneland crossing guards coordinate the fow, and they stop trafc to ensure safety as animals are led to and from the loading docks. It is not unusual to be detained in trafc jams, so experienced participants know walking is ofen easier than driving. When horses leave the auction ring, they
return to their initial space to await transportation. Representatives of the new owners must show “permission slips” obtained from the sales ofce before removing their purchases. Tis paperwork is then shown at shipping areas to a Keeneland stafer who ensures the documentation and hip numbers match. If a hip number has worn of, the
MOVING IN AND MOVING OUT
Keeneland provides consignors with water buckets for their sales horses.
The removal of muck from vacated barns is practically synchronized.
Wallace keeps an eye on a group of sold horses as they move to temporary stabling.
stafer looks at the tiny, numbered tag that was secured to the animal’s tail by Keeneland’s horse identifcation team. Tis series of checks and balances has a fnal checkpoint at Keeneland’s three exits, where drivers show their proof to a Keeneland employee. Some horses are removed within hours, but others remain. Because barns must be cleaned overnight or the day afer selling, remaining horses are moved to a nearby holding barn. Horses are led by expert horsemen while supervisors document the temporary locations of each animal. Te Keeneland staf gives the horses hay and water and monitors their well-being until they leave. For each sale Wallace creates a mindboggling fow chart that includes the daily lineup of horses selling and vacating and a schedule for removing all muck from their barns. Tis must be done as soon as possible so the next batch of horses can move in. In addition to the massive cleanup, the crew must complete other chores in a timely fashion. “We also have a spreadsheet that shows where everyone is going, the rotation, the crew list, etc.,” he said. Te early maintenance shif arrives at 4 a.m. for tasks that include distributing water bottles to coolers throughout the property and emptying muck pits and trash bins in the areas where horses are scheduled for selling and showing that day. Tey must
CLEANING OF VACATED BARNS 25 stall cleaners 18 equipment operators 3 supervisors 25 pitchforks 25 rakes 6 muck trucks 6 muck wagons with tractors 6 skid-steer loaders (Bobcats)
70 WINTER 2023 K KEENELAND.COM
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MOVING IN AND MOVING OUT
Lacy and his team try to accommodate consignors: “Sellers become comfortable in their territory and generally are assigned the same barns each year.”
fnish by 8 a.m. so consignors will have ample time for showing. At 7 a.m. seasonal workers and more full-time employees arrive to assist with the major cleanup. Te brigade includes 25 stall “throwers,” each armed with a rake and pitchfork to place all muck in barn aisles. Ten the vehicles and their operators arrive. Tis group comprises six skid steers (Bobcats), six muck trucks, and six wagons with tractors, all under the direction of three supervisors. Te loads of muck then travel to a holding area adjacent to Keeneland’s main property to await removal by a composting company. Te
major cleanup must be done by 1 p.m. for the next round of arrivals. Depending on number of barns and their overall condition, this phase is usually done by 6 p.m. and as late as midnight on certain days. As the sale winds down, the maintenance team turns its attention to reorganizing. Te 1,569 water buckets allotted to each stall are removed to storage as are benches, ice chests, tents, and other amenities provided by Keeneland. “Some of it is logistics, but a lot of it is hard physical work and long hours,” Wallace said. “Tere are spokes to a wheel for a
reason, because everyone is a part of it. It really does take a village — it is not one person or one group. It is a companywide efort to have a successful sale. Tat is the most rewarding part: to be part of something legendary.” While the maintenance department has plenty of work lef when the fnal Toroughbred is sold, the sales team breathes a sigh of relief and accomplishment. “We don’t really relax until the last horse leaves the ring because the last horse is just as important as the frst horse,” Lacy said. “Te most rewarding part for us is when everyone has a good sale.” KM
OTHER NUMBERS 46 barns (no barns 13, 16, or 17) 1,569 stalls About 1,200 total acres
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Clockwise from far left, buyers go to the van counter to arrange transportation. A horse must have a “permission slip” to leave the sale grounds. Van drivers must show documentation before leaving.
Sold horses await transportation to their new homes.
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State-of-the-Art 54+/- acre equestrian facility. Main residence with 5 bedrooms/ 5.5 bath overlooks beautiful pool, spa, and tennis court. Two private 1/1 guest quarters plus detached 4car garage. 3 Stables which include: 17-Stall show stable, 6Stall barn with apartment and employee lounge area, and a 5 stall show barn. There is also a covered arena with irrigation and lighting for night riding, 130’ x 230’ outdoor arena, viewing area, round pen, covered round pen, equipment building for RV and trailer storage.
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What
FRIENDS Are For Residents of OLD FRIENDS THOROUGHBRED RETIREMENT FARM have a steadfast ally in founder Michael Blowen By Maryjean Wall Photos by Anne M. Eberhardt
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Michael Blowen and Silver Charm share an indelible bond.
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What
FRIENDS Are For
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Caption
Michael Blowen, 76, and Silver Charm, 29, have this thing going at Old Friends Farm. Even if one can’t talk, their line of communication is apparent, giving life to that old saying about the outside of a horse being good for the inside of a man. And vice versa. “Silver Charm, I’ve got your crumbs,” Blowen calls to the horse as he rouses from a midday nap in the pasture. Te oldest living Kentucky Derby and Preakness winner ambles to the fence, where Blowen waits with his cookie, hand extended fat. Silver Charm gums his ground-up treat in ecstasy. As he’s down to about four of his original 40 teeth, chewing the cookies is no longer an option.
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Kentucky Derby and Preakness winner Silver Charm has helped raise the profle of Old Friends, drawing visitors from far and wide.
Silver Charm has been white for years. His once steel-gray coat is but a memory fading with photographs from 1997 that show him winning the Kentucky Derby and the Preakness Stakes for twothirds of the Triple Crown. He wears his white-haired coat like the snowy coifure of an elder statesman. His presence in this paddock speaks to the Old Friends mission: providing a safe and pleasant home primarily for retired Toroughbred stallions, plus an added number of mares and geldings in their fnal years.
Blowen is speaking to Silver Charm: “Who’s the greatest horse ever? Give me a kiss.” And the horse smacks him broadly with a big one planted on Blowen’s face. Silver Charm is full of horse howdy-dos, bobbing his head across the fence rail, nudging Blowen. Blowen likewise bobs his head, full of human howdy-dos. Whatever secret language these two speak is one of those rare connections in the animal/human worlds. Tis is the prize Blowen hoped for when he founded Old Friends 20 years ago in 2003. Connecting with horses, sipping his nightly beer on his porch while studying his Daily Racing Form, and gazing out on Silver Charm’s paddock are all Blowen says he needs to feel he’s reached heaven. He certainly has stormed the pearly gates when in the beginning he’d chased little more than an ephemeral fancy that looked headed on the winds to nowhere. Imagine, thinking that people he didn’t know might give him their multi-million-dollar stallions to put on public view. It was a hard sell. Blowen struggled to convince people this would work partly because no one had done this with stallions. And you know how stubborn Kentuckians can be: If it’s not “broke,” don’t fx it. He also struggled because not a lot of people in Central Kentucky knew who he was. Twenty years ago it still mattered in the Bluegrass where you had gone to high school and if your sire and maternal lines passed regional scrutiny. A lot of folks in Boston were familiar with Blowen’s name: He was the movie critic for Te Boston Globe, where his wife, Diane White, also was a columnist. But in Kentucky horse country, Boston Blowen checked none of the boxes. Still, he had this way about him, people began noticing. Blowen will walk up, shake your hand, smile, and sell you a car or a horse or a bridge to Manhattan. He doesn’t quit. He didn’t quit back then. His crazy dream began to gain a small amount of traction, even though Toroughbred afercare wasn’t so thoroughly stitched into the social fabric of racing as it is now. Afercare did exist as a hopeful possibility, thanks to pioneers such as the Toroughbred Retirement Foundation (TRF) and other organizations. But afercare had yet to go mainstream. Old Friends was going to take it there. In fact the TRF had brought Blowen to Kentucky to serve as an operations director. His next pursuit was the antiques and horse memorabilia shop he and White opened in Midway. Tis was when the stallion idea began taking shape in his imagination. Wouldn’t it be grand if tourists passing through Kentucky could see these famous horses they remembered from the racetracks? Not many were buying into Blowen’s idea, but
Blowen is a tireless ambassador for the residents of Old Friends and regales visitors with tales of the retirees’ former exploits.
The popular former California runner Lava Man enjoys the attention of a tour group.
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What
FRIENDS Are For
‘‘
IF YOU ASK FOR MONEY, PEOPLE WILL START
RUNNING IN THE OTHER DIRECTION.” — Old Friends founder Michael Blowen
Old Friends offers visitors the chance to get close to the one-time stars of racing.
he kept putting his idea out there. A couple of things helped grow the idea into reality. Blowen’s charisma “was No. 1 on the list,” said Cynthia Grisolia, chairman of the board of directors of Old Friends. “He has this way of making every person who comes to the farm feel like they’re the most important person in the world.” Te game changer was going to be Silver Charm. He came along later, in 2014, 11 years into Old Friends’ existence. His arrival at the retirement farm was the turning point that gave Old Friends name recognition. Grisolia said, “He’s probably the most accessible Derby winner, and we were inundated with interest afer he came here.” Most racing fans and those in the horse industry are familiar with the road map that took Old Friends from its origins in a rented paddock at Afon Farm in Midway. From there it went to a few more rented paddocks at Hurstland Farm, also in Midway, and then to its headquarters near Georgetown, on property called Old Friends at Dream Chase Farm. Presently Dream Chase is home to
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Blowen and his wife, Diane White, both worked for the Boston Globe newspaper before heading to Kentucky. Blowen founded Old Friends in 2003.
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What
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Old Friends at Dream Chase, the facility’s headquarters near Georgetown, is home to 150 horses. The entire operation counts 273 retirees.
some 150 horses, a major portion of the 273 horses presently folded into the operation. Afer Dream Chase became established, additional properties were added nearby. Old Friends also opened an operation in upstate New York, not far from Saratoga Race Course. In Kentucky, Old Friends has taken advantage of green space surrounding a senior living facility for human residents, putting some horses on the green space that was required of the developer. Te residents can look out their windows and sometimes see the horses, and the horses have a place to live. Te stories that grew up around Old Friends on its journey to the present are at the heart of this nonproft’s history. One little story probably not known to many was the test-breeding of the frst two stallions, Sunshine Forever and Creator, outside and under a tree. Te U.S. Department of Agriculture requires stallions entering the country to be tested for sexually transmitted diseases, hence the test breeding, even though the breeding careers of these two had ended.
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Both visitor and horse enjoy the offering of a treat.
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Old Friends has two equine cemeteries, the markers bearing the names of many an illustrious racehorse. A tour highlight is Blowen’s recounting in vivid detail the records of these bygone runners.
Normally, test breeding takes place in a quarantine barn, but on this occasion the process had to take place on the spot where the new stallions had landed: Blowen’s rented paddocks, their place of quarantine. Hence, the test breeding beneath the tree. Sunshine Forever and Creator arrived just as Blowen’s hard work had really begun. He stepped up the pace of pitching Old Friends to everyone he came across, since Old Friends now had two retired stallions to feed. Blowen must have worked every racing event and every racetrack, reminding people he had this place in Kentucky called Old Friends. Tere was a lot of glad-handing that required a lot of energy and personality. But he was never not there. Blowen is fond of saying his practice is not to ask for donations or endowments when he walks up to people. “If you ask for money, people will start running in the other direction when they see you coming,” he said. Rather he’s always everywhere he can be, meeting and greeting, reminding people about Old Friends and inviting them to visit. People learned to believe in the program and began sending in donations. Old Friends is a 501(c)(3) charity, and thus,
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all donations are tax deductible. Donors can rest assured their money is going to an industry-approved facility that meets specifed standards and is accredited by the Toroughbred Afercare Alliance.
GIFTS LARGE AND SMALL Old Friends operates almost entirely on donations, tour fees, fundraisers, and gif shop sales. Expenses always run high, and on some occasions early on it looked like the red and the black sides of the ledger were not going to connect with a happy embrace. Old Friends has been gifed with incredibly good fortune, however, and angels always arrived at the last minute, just like the cavalry, in time to rescue the horses from whatever dilemma might be facing them. Old Friends is much more comfortably “fxed” with income now than it was in its early years, but the need will always be there for that angelic touch. Te monthly feed bill alone runs more than $60,000. Some horses have arrived with endowments to provide for their
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What
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happenings — and, of course, on the resident horses. Sometimes, the contributions sent in response to the newsletters arrive in small sums, perhaps $5 or $10. But every small contribution adds up to larger sums. As for the contributions, sometimes they show up from the most unexpected sources. One story Blowen likes to tell concerns a couple visiting from out West who pulled into the farm afer the closing hour. Te couple found Blowen who was just then sitting down on his porch to relax with his beer and his Daily Racing Form. Blowen asked the couple if they could return the following day. Tey told him they could not, as they were heading home in the morning. Being Blowen, he obliged with a tour. It never hurts to be nice. Eventually he got back to his Racing Form and forgot about the couple afer they departed. Te weeks and months passed by. One day, $500,000 arrived in the mail. Remember us? Blowen loves telling this story; not a writer on the planet has missed out on hearing this tale, usually more than once. It was a little miracle, afer all. A gift from the late Josephine Abercrombie has allowed the renovation of a former tobacco barn into an event venue.
care. Te family of the late Robert Lewis, who raced Silver Charm, sends an annual endowment of $10,000 for the Derby winner’s upkeep. But not all horses come with a bank account. Endowments are not a prerequisite for joining the Old Friends community. One thing that helped Blowen spread the word about Old Friends and bring in the money was media exposure — something he was familiar with following a career in newspaper journalism. He used every type of media possible to spread the word, which was why he became a weekly guest on a popular horse racing radio talk show in Lexington called “Horse Tales with Ercel Ellis.” Each Saturday, Ellis gave time to Blowen during the broadcast. Hearing the two tell tales about horse racing and Old Friends was like sitting down in your grandmother’s parlor. At some point, Old Friends opened a gif shop at the Dream Chase headquarters. Tours began bringing in money. Old Friends also reaches out to fans and horsemen by mailing newsletters to keep donors and potential benefactors up to date on Old Friends
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Blowen takes Old Friends mascot Little Silver Charm on a jaunt around the property.
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Another more recent major gif came from the late Josephine Abercrombie, owner of Pin Oak Stud. Tis gif enabled the remodeling of a tobacco barn at Dream Chase into a comfortable meeting place named for her. Te remodeled barn is to become a venue for handicapping seminars and events such as weddings. Imagine getting married at Old Friends. A stage is in place in the main hall. Still to come are tables and chairs and big-screen televisions for showing horse races. A board room table holds a place of honor, as Blowen has identifed it as the table where racing leaders met in the early 1980s to form the Breeders’ Cup. Te table was a gif from Breeders’ Cup Ltd. Prominently positioned in one corner of the main hall is a display case holding numerous trophies that the late Bobby Frankel won as the trainer of major stakes winners. Another corner holds gifs from Japanese horse interests from which Old Friends received a sizeable number of its early stallions. Tese stallions were American horses sent to Japan for second breeding careers afer their initial seasons at stud had ended in the United States. Old Friends was able to repatriate the horses. Even as Old Friends enhances its facilities for welcoming visitors, the central story always was and always will remain the horses. Every Toroughbred seems to arrive with a personal story, with Blowen and his tour guides spinning these stories into delightful tales that render the horses almost human, or at least, like large pets. Visitors are unlikely to forget any of these equine characters afer hearing their stories and seeing these old warriors up close.
GOOD IDEAS AND GREAT SUPPORTERS Tere is a waiting list for new residents. Tis serves as a testimony to the popularity of Old Friends and is worlds removed from those early years when Blowen struggled to acquire stallions. Just about the only way any horse can get of the waiting list is for one of the residents to pass on. Death is a stop along the circle of life at this place. Death is expected, as the population is entirely geriatric. Te farm has two equine cemeteries where headstones carry the names of numerous horse heroes from previous racing eras. Te emotional high point of any tour is to read the names on these headstones and recall who these horses really were during their racing days. One change during recent years was Blowen turning to South Korea as a new source in repatriating American stallions. Tis became
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signifcant in keeping the fow of horses moving into Old Friends afer Japan established its own retirement facility, modeled on Old Friends. A change to the Old Friends landscape at the Dream Chase farm cannot be missed — a sculpture in wood in front of the ofce and visitor’s center, where an aging tree once stood. Te tree had to come down, as it had rotted, but part of the trunk that was lef standing was sculpted into the likeness of a horse by local artist Kiptoo Tarus. Te carved horse represents Medina Spirit, the disqualifed winner of the 2021 Kentucky Derby. Te horse died seven months following the Derby in a workout at Santa Anita. Blowen is proud of the memorial to Medina Spirit and points it out to any visitor. When not engaged in telling the story behind the tree carving, Blowen runs each day like he always has, darting in many directions, spinning like a dervish, and keeping the Old Friends spirit going and its name out in front of horse racing. Te ideas never stop fowing. Te staf had been grinding up Mrs. Pastures Horse Cookies to accommodate Silver Charm when Blowen thought, why not ask the cookie manufacturer if they could send a monthly bag of pre-ground cookies for the old horse? Soon, Silver Charm began receiving a monthly bag of crumbs, just as he likes them. Anything to keep the old horse happy. Mrs. Pastures Horse Cookies does its part to help, just as many in the horse business have. One early booster was the late Brereton Jones, former Kentucky governor and founder of Airdrie Stud. Blowen will tell you how he made a visit to Airdrie in the early days of Old Friends, seeking fnancial help from Jones. He made his pitch and was delighted when Jones wrote out a check for $5,000 and said, “Good luck.” Later, Jones sent a couple of stallions to Old Friends. Another who took a chance on Old Friends in the early days was the late entertainment mogul Jerry Moss. He sent his Santa Anita Handicap winner, Ruhlmann, to Old Friends. Ruhlmann was the frst big-name star to retire to Dream Chase. Moss’ choosing Old Friends for his horse in retirement was a huge boost for Blowen, as it signaled the horse industry was beginning to buy into the Old Friends’ mission. Moss became a long-term, major supporter of Old Friends. Another supporter has been Hollywood actress Angie Dickinson, whose daughter, Nikki Bacharach, also was the daughter of music composer Burt Bacharach. Nikki Bacharach sufered from Asperger’s Syndrome and died by suicide. One of the horse cemeteries at Old
An afternoon fnds Blowen and Silver Charm sharing some quiet time and maybe a tale or two.
Friends is named for her, as the Nikki Bacharach Memorial Garden. Bacharach retired his stallion Afernoon Deelites to Old Friends and the horse lived on-site until his death in 2023, only days afer Bacharach had passed. Dickinson stays in close touch with Old Friends, speaking ofen with Blowen over the phone. Te cemetery named for her daughter memorializes Kentucky Derby winners War Emblem and Charismatic, among others. Still another major supporter of Old Friends has been Silver Charm’s trainer, Bob Bafert. He visits frequently, ofen with his wife, Jill. “Whenever I need something, I call Bob,” Blowen said. Te Bafert express arrives in a fash, bearing gifs.
EMISSARY OF GOOD WILL For a guy who began with knowing few people in racing, Blowen has come a long way in 20 years. He is the face of Old Friends, an emissary of good will and as recognizable as Silver Charm is to visitors who arrive at the farm nearly every day. It is practically impossible to imagine anyone replacing him. Te inevitability exists, nonetheless. Te board of directors for
Old Friends was working on a succession plan this past autumn so that Old Friends won’t be without one when the time comes. Blowen never speaks about retiring. It probably would be as impossible for him to step away from Old Friends as it would be for the operation to step away from him. But when he does step aside, his successor will “need to have an all-consuming love for the horses and be willing to do anything for them,” said Barbara Fossum, board secretary. She headed the committee designing the succession plan. We won’t dwell on this while standing at the paddock fence, watching Blowen and Silver Charm show us a thing or two about life. We only enjoy the moment: Silver Charm at age 29, or 83 in human years, and Blowen at 76, or right behind Silver Charm at 26 in horse years. Tey are irreplaceable treasures, man and horse. Te secrets they tell each other at the paddock fence are mysteries we cannot know. We can only enjoy the two of them enjoying their well-polished act of head-butting across the fence. We can only be immensely grateful that the guy who could sell a bridge to Manhattan fought the odds and brought us this scene unfolding here, the old horse and the man living the moment for us all. KM
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COMMUN
Spark Café relies on volunteers such as Glenda Schaefer to wait tables and perform other essential restaurant tasks.
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ITY
SPIRIT What started out as a high school project to address food insecurity has blossomed into SPARK COMMUNITY CAFÉ in Versailles, where volunteers serve customers and customers PAY WHAT THEY CAN By Patti Nickell | Photos by Lee Thomas
Public and private funds helped transform a former clothing store into Spark Café.
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Caption
Left, co-owner and co-founder Kyle Fannin encouraged a group of former students to wake up to social inequities, prompting the idea that led to Spark Café. Below, cousins Anthony Devine and Amia Bishop enjoy lunch in window seats.
spark /spärk/ (noun) particle of light caused by some type of energy (verb) to stir to activity; to respond with enthusiasm
T
hese dictionary defnitions of the word “spark,” both as noun and verb, perfectly suit in this instance. In 2016, a Woodford County High School social studies teacher and his classes were stirred to activity by the “spark” of an idea. Seven years later, the Spark Community Café on Versailles’ Main Street defnitely serves as a particle of light — both for its founders and for those they serve.
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Before “woke” became part of the cultural lexicon and used excessively by politicians and celebrities alike, Kyle Fannin was trying to wake up his students to social inequities. Well, let Fannin tell the story. “In 2013, I teamed up with Lori Garkovich [a retired professor of community and leadership development in the University of Kentucky College of Education] to develop a project that would encourage activism among teenagers,” he said, “and to show them you didn’t have to be voting age to make a diference in the world and in your community.”
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COMMUNITY
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Spark Café’s mission to combat food insecurity is refected in murals and wall art throughout the restaurant. Right, strong community support has helped the café fourish.
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Te students were all in, and for the next two years Fannin and Woodford County High’s social studies students put together a number of pop-up events in Versailles. Tese pop-up events were part of the Spark Festival run entirely by Fannin’s students. Each event had a specifc focus, from stafng food trucks and craf stalls to researching, writing, and publishing a book, “Te Invisible History of Woodford County,” documenting sites once important to the county that no longer exist. Fannin said there was one event, however, that proved more popular than anyone expected. “One of our projects was a one-day pop-up cofee shop that ran all day, complete with a poetry slam and talent show,” he explained. Te day afer the event, Fannin and his students were basking in the glow of a successful venture when one of his friends showed up to say he thought the cofee shop was a one-day event. When Fannin assured him it was, the man responded, “Well, you better tell that to the line outside the building waiting for it to open.” Te pop-ups had proven successful, but Fannin was reaching retirement age, with plans involving “traveling to France and tasting wine,” when Tristan Ferrell, a former student, came calling. “He said to me, ‘We’ve had so much success with our pop-ups, why don’t we do this for real?’ ” said Fannin. It became real in 2016 when the Spark Community Café opened in downtown Versailles, with the “unretired” Fannin and Ferrell as co-owners and co-executive directors.
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From left, popular menu items include chicken salad, Caesar salad, the Spark burger, and country fried chicken tenders.
Te birth of the café wasn’t easy, according to Fannin. Afer settling on a section of the 1891 Farmers Union Building as the ideal location, he discovered the extent of the work necessary to convert a one-time woman’s clothing boutique into a community café. More importantly, he discovered the cost to make the café a reality. Tanks to a donation from the Woodford County Community Fund and private donors such as Joe Graviss, owner of several McDonald’s franchises in Central Kentucky, and Big Ass Fans,
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which not only gave a monetary contribution but installed the café’s ceiling fans at no charge, Fannin was able to raise nearly $250,000 in seed money. “It cost every bit of that for the renovation as we gutted part of the space and lef what we could of the original building,” Fannin said. “One architectural expert told me it was the best example he’d ever seen of creating a modern café and still keeping whatever we could from an 1891 building.”
COMMUNITY
SPIRIT
“
WE’RE A COMMUNITY CAFÉ SO OUR COMMUNITY MUST REMAIN OUR FOCUS.” — general manager Annabel Nagel
Today, the café provides a pleasant respite for those in search of lunch Wednesday through Saturday (from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.) and Sunday brunch. Te décor is casual but colorful, with exposed ceiling pipes and brick columns lef over from a previous business, stained-glass panels above the windows, and a working freplace along a wall. A large mural of hands clasped in friendship takes up one wall, while framed barn quilts adorn another. On still another wall is a plaque with the names of those who were instrumental in getting the café opened — from students in Fannin’s classroom to Ouita Michel, a noted chef and Woodford County resident who served on the café’s frst executive board. A cheery welcome greets everyone who comes through the door, and the tables flled with lunch companions laughing and talking over their sandwiches and salads belies the real purpose of the nonproft Spark Community Café. Lettering on the wall proclaims the café is dedicated to “providing
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nutritious farm-to-table meals in a community space that accepts all who walk through the door.” Even those who can’t pay. Fannin explains how it works: If your pockets are full, pay it forward to someone whose pockets aren’t. If your pockets are light, pay what you can. If your pockets are empty, volunteer in exchange for your meal. But isn’t that asking for a revolving door of people in search of a free meal? Fannin says no. “Of the 50 to 60 people who come in on a typical day, 12 to 14 are in need of getting a free meal,” he said. “Te rest are happy to pay full price, which keeps us in operation.”
A TALE OF TWO DINERS As might be expected, Fannin, the staf, and volunteers at the café hear many heart-wrenching stories and see more than a few down-on-their-luck folks.
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One was a young man who came in every day in shabby clothes and clearly looked as if he had missed more than a few meals. “He always ordered modestly — the same meal every day — and never took advantage, always volunteering to wash dishes or sweep the foors as payment,” said Fannin. “One day he came in and put $20 in the tip jar, thanking us and saying he had just gotten a job.” On another occasion, said Fannin, a man came in with his family and ordered $60 worth of food. “He handed me $20 and I accepted it gratefully until I watched the family leave the restaurant, get into a Mercedes, and drive of,” he said. “Fortunately,” he continued, “We have many more patrons like the frst young man. I’ve only had a few who have taken advantage of the situation.” Only about 25% of those the café serves pay a reduced price or eat for free. Te rest pay full price, according to Fannin, shelling
out $9 to $13 for an impressive selection of salads, burgers, sandwiches, and wraps. Te Spark burger and chicken salad are the most popular items. Tis show of support is heartwarming, as is the response from community members with deeper pockets. “We have received tremendous support from Woodward Reserve Distillery,” said Fannin, noting that the distillery’s upper echelon had been in for lunch earlier that day. “Tey hire us to do a lot of their catering.” Former board member Michel was so inspired by Spark’s mission that she got her kitchen company to design the café’s kitchen. “And we never saw a bill for that,” said Fannin. On one occasion Dermot Ryan, Ashford Stud farm manager and personal friend of Fannin’s, paid for his lunch and then handed him a check for $10,000. Ryan’s generosity didn’t stop there, as he issued a challenge to other Woodford County horse farms. “A week later, we had an additional $70,000 courtesy of the horse farms,” he said. As thrilled as he is to get a windfall, Fannin is equally appreciative of smaller donations. “Te Associated Press picked up an article that was written about us when we started, and soon we were getting checks from retirees as far afeld as Waco, Texas, and Bangor, Maine, saying they had read the article and wanted to help,” he said. Fannin stresses that in the early days that help was crucial, as some members of the community thought there was no need for a café serving meals to the poor in the richest county in the state. Fannin and company had their work cut out combating the notion that food insecurity didn’t exist in the heart of horse country. “We had to educate them on the fact that the county may be rich, but in the city of Versailles, one in six children goes to bed hungry every night,” explained Fannin, “and we had the data to prove it.” Now, he adds, many of those Lori Garkovich, a former University of Kentucky professor, is chairman of the board. early doubters are supporters and regular customers.
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COMMUNITY
SPIRIT
Meanwhile, the café’s popularity has increased the catering side of the business. According to Nagel, they typically cater one good-sized event a week, whether it be a wedding, rehearsal dinner, political fundraiser, or event for the public library, health department, chamber of commerce, or the Kentucky Technical College and Community College System. Te catering jobs range from the relatively easy — delivering box lunches to Versailles businesses — to the not-so-easy such as catering an event for 850 attendees at a national convention in Louisville. While Nagel says that’s a good thing, she also wants to ensure they never lose sight of the primary goal. “We’re a community café so our community must remain our focus,” she said Nagel and the kitchen team are Spark Café’s only paid employees. For everything else, they rely on volunteers, ofen those who are unable to pay for their meals. “We always ask, but they are never required to volunVolunteer Ray Mendenhall is among the café’s core group of volunteers. teer,” said Fannin. “Tose who are able to do so, perform tasks such as hosting and delivering meals in addition to busing tables and washing dishes.” A COMMUNITY OF FAMILY Additionally, they have a regular group of volunteers who are able to Seven years afer he tried to retire the frst time, Fannin is ready to pay for their meals but are there because of their belief in the mission give it a go for a second time. He’s convinced that he has lef Spark Café and for the camaraderie. in good hands with general manager Annabel Nagel, devoted volun“We have about 10 regular volunteers, and we try to have one or two teers, and a new kitchen team. of them here every day,” said Nagel. “Tey are a really diverse group, At the ripe old age of 20, Nagel said she thinks she is ready for ranging from high school and college students to retirees.” the responsibility as she prepares to step into the role of executive One of those volunteers is Laurie Buchignani from Lexington, director next year. who can be found happily dispensing food and friendly smiles on She took a gap year afer graduating from Woodford County High most Fridays. School to travel before enrolling at Transylvania University, where she In 2019, shortly afer losing her husband, Buchignani read an article had a full scholarship to study political science. In addition, she was in the Lexington Herald Leader about a nonproft restaurant in Verhired for the job of assistant general manager at Spark Café, a position sailles asking for volunteers to wait tables. that was to reshape her life. Needing something worthwhile to fll her time, she contacted the “It only took one semester for me to decide that the café was a better café and began working that same week. classroom than the actual classroom,” she said with a laugh. “In my four years here, I have grown to love this staf, their mission, As general manager, Nagel is the face of Spark Community Café — and the community,” Buchignani said. “I’ve made countless friends in the frst face people see when they walk through the door. She wants to Woodford County. make sure it’s a welcoming one. “It’s truly been one of the most rewarding jobs I’ve ever had,” she Te welcome mat was always out until COVID-19 forced the café’s added. closure. During the pandemic, the restaurant may have been shuttered, Rewarding is a word that crops up frequently in talking about what but its mission continued. Meals were delivered to those who needed the Spark Community Café means to its owners, staf, volunteers, them, to the tune of some 600 a week. donors, and, most of all, those it serves. “We still deliver about 200 meals once a week and hope to expand Fannin points to the Spark Café slogan when summing up its that to twice weekly or more,” she said. mission: “Good Food With Dignity.” KM
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Making a Difference
Family loss prompts Beau and Gail Lane to support genetic testing at Kentucky Children’s Hospital in the fght against cancer
A HEART FELT CAUSE By William Bowden Photos by Joseph Rey Au
Horseman Beau Lane and his wife, Gail, have made a signifcant donation to Kentucky Children’s Hospital.
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Making a Difference KENTUCKY CHILDREN’S HOSPITAL
The Project Inherited Cancer Risk clinical research study at Kentucky Children’s Hospital gives doctors the chance to improve diagnoses and provide more effective treatment.
T
he heartache that cancer can bring to a family is all too real for Beau and Gail Lane. Te disease struck Beau’s three daughters (Gail’s stepdaughters) — Lauri tragically died of it at age 45, while Mendy and Julianna have successfully fought it of through surgery and other treatment.
“We have been directly slammed by this thing,” said Beau, owner of Beau Lane Bloodstock on Woodline Farm in Bourbon County near Paris. “Gail and I decided we wanted to try to help [keep] others from having to lose someone they love and go through what we went through.”
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Tat resolve led them to become signifcant donors to a new genetic testing program at Kentucky Children’s Hospital (KCH) at the University of Kentucky. Begun two years ago, the Project Inherited Cancer Risk (PICR) clinical research study can reveal a predisposition to cancer, giving doctors the chance to improve diagnoses and provide more efective treatment. “About one in every 10 children, adolescents, and young adults who get cancer has a genetic reason that put them at increased risk for the disease,” said Dr. John A. D’Orazio, chief of the division of hematology/oncology, Department of Pediatrics at KCH. “Once we identify someone with a cancer risk, we can enroll them in a surveillance program where we look for cancers early and can sometimes take steps to prevent the cancer.” Medical insurance does not cover the $1,000 cost of each
A SPECIAL THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS
Making a Difference KENTUCKY CHILDREN’S HOSPITAL
test. It’s philanthropy such as from the Lanes that helps make the testing free to all patients. Tat’s why their donation is so critical, both on its own merit and to encourage others to donate and ensure the program continues. (See sidebar.)
OPPORTUNITY NEARBY Te travails of the Lanes’ daughters began long before the PICR program was started at KCH, and for the most part, their diagnosis and treatment took place away from Lexington. But when the family looked for a way to help others, they turned to the opportunity near at hand. “Te Kentucky Children’s Hospital is a place where you can give your money to people who can actually do something about the problem,” Beau Lane said. “Dr. D’Orazio and his colleagues are the real deal. Gail and I decided that this is worth getting into.” One such colleague in a key position is Dr. Amanda M. Harrington, who runs the Pediatric and Young Adult Cancer Predisposition Clinic in coordination with a genetic counselor from UK’s Markey Cancer Center. She ofen deals with the inherited gene mutation known as BRCA1, which markedly increases the likelihood of developing breast and ovarian cancer. Beau is a carrier of that gene and passed it on to his daughters, making his and Gail’s support of KCH all that more personal and meaningful. “Once we’ve identifed someone with a cancer predisposition syndrome, my job is to educate the family about what cancers they may be at risk for,” Harrington said. “Sometimes the child is the frst person in the family to be afected by this.” D’Orazio ofered the example of a young adult who came to KCH aficted with bone cancer, was tested, and was found to have a BRCA1 mutation. Tis was a surprise as that mutation is not directly associated with bone cancer. His mother was subsequently tested and found to be a BRCA1 carrier. “Tat led to the discovery of stage 1 breast cancer in her, before anyone would have thought to do a mammo- Dr. John A. D’Orazio heads KCH’s cancer risk program. gram,” D’Orazio said. “She had the mastectomy, and her life was saved.” Te other part of Harrington’s job is to create a surveillance protive measures and any needed treatment. gram tailored to the patient and family. Such was the case for Jenny Two of Scott’s daughters — Amiriss and Alyssa — are patients of Scott. All six of Scott’s ofspring have been tested (known as “cascade” Harrington’s and have been treated at KCH in the DanceBlue Hetesting) for inherited genetic dispositions, and four have had various matology and Oncology Clinic. (Te clinic is named for the 24-hour encounters with cancer. Harrington provides the family with a “condance marathon that is the key fundraising event that completely tinuum of care,” as D’Orazio puts it, that includes guidance for prevenfunds the clinic through the widespread volunteer eforts of students.)
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Making a Difference KENTUCKY CHILDREN’S HOSPITAL
Along with D’Orazio, Dr. Amanda M. Harrington plays a key role in KCH’s fght against childhood cancer.
“In 2020 I had half of my thyroid gland removed because it was enlarged,” said Alyssa, 19, who was found to carry the DICER1 mutation that is associated with thyroid, ovarian, lung, and kidney cancers, among others. “We were keeping an eye on the other half, and just a few months later I had it removed.” Amiriss, 20, benefted from the knowledge that her twin sister, Aurora, was discovered in 2017 to have ovarian cancer and the DICER1 mutation, which Amiriss also has. “I was having pain on my lef side,” Amiriss said. “With my normal scans they weren’t looking at my ovaries.” Her small tumor was caught early and removed before it could become a major problem. From a busy mother’s standpoint, the surveillance program is a blessing. “It if were lef to me, I’d get lost as to what scan should come next, but they have it all down pat,” Jenny Scott said. “Tey keep us on track so that nothing gets missed. And the comfort we feel while at the hospital, their caregiving, is so relaxing. It takes away any worry on our part.” Te testing can also reveal situations that have a signifcant impact on how a WE HAVE cancer is treated. “Tere are variances BEEN in genes that afect how well cells can recover from damage,” Harrington DIRECTLY said. “Chemotherapy and radiation are two of the big tools we use to treat SLAMMED BY cancer, but they are damaging. If we discover that you have one of those THIS THING.” genetic defects where your machinery to handle damage is broken, we don’t —Beau Lane want to use those tools.”
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RESEARCH IS KEY
Beau Lane’s daughter, Julianna (with her husband, Michael Orem, at the Keeneland September yearling sale), is a cancer survivor as is her sister Mendy.
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Research is an important part of D’Orazio’s and Harrington’s roles at KCH. From a patient’s blood sample, the PICR program can look for up to 81 genes in the main panel, with over 160 additional genes in an investigational panel. More than 120 KCH patients have been invited to take part in the research thus far, and over 90% of them have opted in. Te goal is to fnd keys to preventing cancer in any form. “I am a physician/scientist, and I love both worlds,” D’Orazio said. “Since we started this program, we’re taking the mutations we fnd in our patients back to the lab to study how they cause cancer
Te Lexington Cancer Foundation, Inc. would like to thank our generous sponsors.
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Your support impacts our mission to improve the lives of cancer patients and their families. www.lexingtoncancerfoundation.org
Making a Difference KENTUCKY CHILDREN’S HOSPITAL
and what we can do about it. We’ve already seen that some of the mutations make the cancers vulnerable to a new class of drugs.” For a broader context, the Cancer Predisposition Advisory Council, run by the Markey Cancer Center, was created to take an overall view of how the disease can afect individuals and families in a variety of ways. Harrington participates in the group, which meets outside of business hours several times a year and comprises patients, family members, caregivers, doctors, and nurses. “We talk about research and cancer predisposition in general,” Harrington said. “Our purpose is to fgure out what we can do better and to learn what patients and families want us to be focusing on. One thing we’ve learned is that the psycho/social needs of the patients are high and something we need to meet. Learning about a family history of cancer can be scary.”
PRESCRIPTION FOR HOPE Summing up the lifesaving work of the KCH, and the genetic testing and research program in particular, D’Orazio said, “Te majority of kids who get cancer survive. All the work we do here is about giving people hope and a better future.” Tat’s what Beau and Gail Lane wanted to be a part of and why they’ve decided to increase their giving and make it an annual priority. Tey have become much more aware of the fact that, as
D’Orazio puts it, “We really are a product of our ancestors and their genes, for good and for bad.” “I am a BRCA1 carrier, and I got it from my grandmother,” Lane said. “One day I hope they can give a child a sheet of paper and say, ‘At this age, you need to look for this.’ To me, the lives it would save make it worth whatever we can give.” KM
PRIMING THE PHILANTHROPY PUMP
“S
ometimes it just takes somebody to take the frst step,” said Megan Crouch, associate director of philanthropy for
Kentucky Children’s Hospital at the University of Kentucky. She was referring to the sizable gift to KCH from Beau and Gail Lane that made it possible to create two endowed funds to support the hospital’s genetic testing program and its research component. “Anyone can contribute to these funds, which have grown to over $90,000,” Crouch said. “The Lanes’ gift paved the way for others to make a targeted donation for this vital cause.” Crouch explained that in addition to helping make the tests available free for all children, adolescents, and young adults who come to KCH, the funds allow the hospital to work on adding its sequencing results to the Cancer Data Commons database maintained by the Markey Cancer Center at UK. That allows deidentiAs a carrier of the BRCA1 gene, Beau Lane is motivated to give children with the same genetic mutation tools to fght cancer.
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Dr. Harrington meets with patients Amiriss (left) and Alyssa (second from left) and their mother, Jenny Scott (second from right).
Dr. D’Orazio (standing) is shown with the research members of his KCH laboratory, from left, lab technician Berina Halilovic, Hong Pu, Ph.D., and Nathaniel Holcomb, Ph.D. They are characterizing mutations in the PICR study to learn how those variations may make patients at an increased cancer risk.
fed data to be available to other researchers. As owner of Beau Lane Bloodstock, which specializes in breeding and foaling mares, Beau is particularly motivated to share in Keeneland magazine his family’s story of dealing with cancer. He wants his peers in the Thoroughbred industry to know of the opportunity to support KCH and the important work it does to combat childhood cancer. After all, when it comes to genetics and bloodlines, he knows the language well. “I spend half my life planning matings with stallions whose bloodlines show they are a good match for breeding with my mares,” Beau said. “I started this operation with six mares, and three of them were stakes-winning producers within fve years.” The gift Beau and Gail made to KCH also refects a broader commitment to philanthropy in the Thoroughbred industry, exemplifed by the Keeneland Foundation and its support of many causes located primarily in Central Kentucky. For more information on giving to Kentucky Children’s Hospital, contact Megan Crouch at crouch.megan@uky.edu Beau Lane wants his colleagues in the Thoroughbred business to know they can support KCH’s work to fght childhood cancer.
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