A native of central Kentucky, Mark grew up working around Gainesway Farm where his father Joe was manager for forty years. In 1991 Mark graduated from Clemson University with a B.A. in English. Upon graduation, Mark returned to the horse business where he worked for Hall of Fame trainer Ron McAnally in California before spending… Read more
May 20, 2019
Like the May 4th Kentucky Derby (G1), Saturday’s $1.5 million Preakness S. (G1) field is dominated by Kentucky-breds, but with only four Derby starters in the 13-horse field, there are plenty of fresh faces seeking the second leg of the Triple Crown. Three Derby returnees: Improbable, War of Will and Bodexpress, hail from the Bluegrass… Read more
May 16, 2019
Dermot Ryan is the manager of Ashford Stud, the American division of Coolmore Stud. A native of Co. Tipperary, Ireland, Dermot graduated from the Irish National Stud Thoroughbred Breeding Course before taking a position with Coolmore Stud in Ireland. Following eight years working for Coolmore in Ireland, Dermot relocated to Coolmore America in 1993. Dermot… Read more
May 13, 2019
Country House became the 111th Kentucky-bred to win the Kentucky Derby (G1), officially finishing three-quarters of a length in front of Code of Honor. He is also the fifth consecutive Derby winner from the Bluegrass State. Bred by the late Jerry V. Shields, Jr., whose wife Mrs. Maury Shields owns the son of Lookin at… Read more
May 5, 2019
Serengeti Empress’ gate-to-wire score in Saturday’s $1.25 million Kentucky Oaks (G1) topped off a huge Friday at Churchill Downs that saw Kentucky-breds win five of the six graded races on the card, including both Grade 1’s. A few hours before the Oaks, She’s a Julie was an impressive winner of the $500,000 La Troienne S…. Read more
May 4, 2019
The spotlight of the racing world is on Churchill Downs the first weekend in May, with the per-eminent races for 3-year-old colts and fillies, the 145th running of Kentucky Derby (G1) and Kentucky Oaks (G1), both proving grounds for divisional hierarchy. The Derby has been won overwhelming by Kentucky-breds, with 110 to date. Only three… Read more
May 2, 2019
With all the Kentucky Derby (G1) prep races completed, the field for the May 4th Run for the Roses is shaping up to be a nearly all Kentucky-bred showcase, with 18 of the 20 prospective starters foaled in the Bluegrass. Kentucky-breds have also won all but one of the major Triple Crown prep races run… Read more
April 25, 2019
When the 14-horse field for the May 3rd Kentucky Oaks (G1) is drawn next Monday, it will feature nearly an entire gate full of Kentucky-bred 3-year-old fillies in the $1.25 million Race for the Lillies. As the fillies have made their way through the winter and spring prep races, Kentucky-breds have won nearly every key… Read more
April 25, 2019
Kentucky-based trainer Wesley Ward, who was the first American-based trainer to win a race at the prestigious Royal Ascot meeting in Great Britain in 2009, is setting his sights once again on that summer meet. Perhaps topping his list of Ascot hopefuls is the Kentucky-bred 2-year-old filly Lady Pauline, a dominant first-time out winner April… Read more
April 25, 2019
Born November 1, 1957, Baker grew up on Long Island working for his father George Baker who trained there for 20 years. In addition, he had the opportunity to work for Frank & David Whitely and Shug McGaughey. Shug helped him get started as a trainer in 1990. Baker has been training since then and… Read more
April 16, 2019