LexingTon s BLuegrass region War Chant, winner of the 1999 Breeders Cup, is among 11 stallions who stand at Three Chimney Farm.

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1 War Chant, winner of the 1999 Breeders Cup, is among 11 stallions who stand at Three Chimney Farm. Home of Champions You couldn t have Lexington without horses, but could you have horses without Lexington? by Jeannie Blancq Putney Man O War Boulevard. Citation Boulevard. Sir Barton Way. Only in Lexington can you find street after street named for the famous racehorses that made their mark in the Bluegrass state. At the street level and throughout the city s economy, this elegant creature has played a major part in Lexington s growth. Thanks to its limestone base and calcium-rich soil, the bluegrass region of Kentucky (about 2,500 square miles centered around Lexington) attracts serious horsemen and their horses. The minerals in Lexington s bluegrass are passed on to the horses, creating strong bones. For that reason, horses are Kentucky s number one agricultural cash crop. In dollars and cents, Kentucky is the largest exporter of livestock in the world. If you want to see movie stars you go to Hollywood; if you want to hear country music you go to Nashville; if you want to see the best horses, you come here, says Dan Rosenberg, director of Three Chimneys Farm in Midway, west of Lexington. Rosenberg was the farm s president and chief operating officer for 30 years. Horsemen and mares will always follow the top stallions, he says; thankfully for Lexington, the best stallions are here. 100 Sky june 2008 june 2008 Sky 101

Keeneland hosts races in the spring and fall. The sales started here during World War II and have certainly been a big boost to the Central Kentucky economy.

$100,000 per breeding, and Dynaformer (sire of the late 2006 Derby winner Barbaro), who stands for $150,000. When it comes to racing and Thoroughbred sales, Keeneland is the place to be.

Last year at Keeneland, buyers from more than 40 countries bought horses and accounted for more than $800 million in sales.

As the industry has continued to grow, we ve led the way with new advances in technology from safety rails to Polytrack (Keeneland s synthetic track surface). What s best for the horse is best for us.

2 Keeneland hosts races in the spring and fall. The sales started here during World War II and have certainly been a big boost to the Central Kentucky economy. Rogers Beasley, director of racing at Keeneland Three Chimneys currently stands (offers for breeding) 14 stallions, including undefeated Kentucky Derby winner Smarty Jones, who commands a fee of $100,000 per breeding, and Dynaformer (sire of the late 2006 Derby winner Barbaro), who stands for $150,000. When it comes to racing and Thoroughbred sales, Keeneland is the place to be. The picturesque setting was the backdrop for several scenes in the movie Seabiscuit. Thousands come to Keeneland s twice-yearly races, but the sales bring in the major players. Last year at Keeneland, buyers from more than 40 countries bought horses and accounted for more than $800 million in sales. The sales started here during World War II and have certainly been a big boost to the Central Kentucky economy, says Rogers Beasley, Cross-country jumping at the Rolex director of racing at Keeneland. As the industry has continued to grow, we ve led the way with new advances in technology from safety rails to Polytrack (Keeneland s synthetic track surface). What s best for the horse is best for us. At the second largest Thoroughbred auction house in Kentucky, Fasig- Tipton, 2007 s year-end total was more than $200 million in sales. Although Thoroughbreds and racing make up a significant portion of Lexington s economy, other breeds and sports also contribute. Lexington is home to the third largest Standardbred farm in North America and The Red Mile, the second oldest harness racing track in the world. The one-mile track, known for its red clay, has been the location of some of the greatest races in harness history for over 130 years. Each April, the Kentucky Horse Park hosts the Rolex Kentucky Three- Day Event, rated a four-star (most difficult) event by the Federation Equestrian Internationale. This year, 42 horses and their riders from the United States, Canada, Australia and Great Britan competed in dressage, jumping and cross-country. The winner was Phillip Dutton, riding Connaught. Keeneland RACE and Auction photo by john stephen hockensmith ; Kentucky Horse Park Rolex photo Michelle C. Dunn / mdunnphoto.com SHOPPING FOR STARS To get an idea of the quality of horses sold at Keeneland, look no further than the starting gate at Churchill Downs. Seven of the 20 Thoroughbreds competing in the 2008 Kentucky Derby were sold through Keeneland. Winner Big Brown was sold for $190,000 at the Two-Year-Olds In Training sale in April 2007; he s the 17th of Keeneland s graduates to win the Derby. Keeneland s four annual auctions attract buyers from across the United States and 47 other countries. The lineup of horses can be intimidating nearly 3,800 yearlings were sold in September 2007 but the thrill of finding the right horse makes it worth it. When you have a horse that has a very nice pedigree and is a fantastic individual... that s when fireworks happen, says Geoffrey Russell, director of sales. Marian Cowhig Some of the world s best horses come through Keeneland. 102 Sky june 2008

The horse park saw nearly 920,000 visitors last year from as far away as Europe and Japan, including campers, tourists and horse show competitors.

and cutting; warmbloods, typically used for dressage; and Arabians, typically used for endurance riding.

Equestrian Federation (the national governing body for equestrian sport), the American Association of Equine Practitioners and the United States Polo Association.

the Horse Capital of the World, says John Nicholson, executive director of the park.

event ever held in the United States. Lexington will be the first city outside of Europe to host the games.

vaulting and, for the first time in the World Equestrian Games, para-equestrian. Lexington is expected to see nearly $200 million in Horses fly in comfort on H.E. Tex Sutton s specially equipped plane.

The carrier averages 5 flights a week, depending on the season, with as many as 21 horses on its equineequipped Boeing 727-200.

When I told my friends I was moving from Illinois to Lexington to fly horses they said You re crazy; people don t really do that, Payne says.

The stalls on the plane allow for the foal to nurse and lay down just as if it were in the field. Horses fly in comfort, and their human companions do, too.

for a multitude of equestrian events. TAC Air handles the majority of Lexington s private general aviation business, which amounts to hundreds of flights each year.

Without even looking at the calendar, I can tell when there s a large event at the (Kentucky) Horse Park. Jeannie Blancq Putney Photo Courtesy of H.E.

3 The horse park saw nearly 920,000 visitors last year from as far away as Europe and Japan, including campers, tourists and horse show competitors. The horse park is home to nearly 50 different horse breeds that cover a variety of riding style, such as quarter horses, typically used for Western events like reining and cutting; warmbloods, typically used for dressage; and Arabians, typically used for endurance riding. The park s 1,224 acres also comprise the National Horse Center, where more than 30 organizations in the horse industry are headquartered, such as the United States Equestrian Federation (the national governing body for equestrian sport), the American Association of Equine Practitioners and the United States Polo Association. The Kentucky Horse Park has certainly played a large role in Lexington being not just the Thoroughbred Breeding Capital of the World, but in fact claiming the title of the Horse Capital of the World, says John Nicholson, executive director of the park. The park is preparing for its day in the global spotlight: In September 2010, the park will host the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games, the largest equestrian sporting event ever held in the United States. Lexington will be the first city outside of Europe to host the games. More than 800 human and 900 equine athletes will compete for world championships in eight disciplines: dressage, driving, endurance, eventing, jumping, reining, vaulting and, for the first time in the World Equestrian Games, para-equestrian. Lexington is expected to see nearly $200 million in Horses fly in comfort on H.E. Tex Sutton s specially equipped plane. EVER SEE A HORSE FLY? When enthusiasts from around the world come to Lexington to buy horses, several carriers will ship their horses home. But Lexington-based H.E. Tex Sutton Forwarding does it in style. The carrier averages 5 flights a week, depending on the season, with as many as 21 horses on its equineequipped Boeing Operations manager Mike Payne has seen the plane take off with 12 breeding stallions worth $400 million in total. When I told my friends I was moving from Illinois to Lexington to fly horses they said You re crazy; people don t really do that, Payne says. In fact, it s not uncommon for a mare to give birth in California, be flown with her foal to Kentucky for breeding and then be flown back. The stalls on the plane allow for the foal to nurse and lay down just as if it were in the field. Horses fly in comfort, and their human companions do, too. The same runway at Blue Grass Airport that caters to the elite equine athlete also accommodates dignitaries, heads of state and VIPS from the United States and abroad for a multitude of equestrian events. TAC Air handles the majority of Lexington s private general aviation business, which amounts to hundreds of flights each year. We have a huge influx of traffic for horse events, said Kip Simanek, general manager for TAC Air in Lexington. We always have a full ramp for these events. Without even looking at the calendar, I can tell when there s a large event at the (Kentucky) Horse Park. Jeannie Blancq Putney Photo Courtesy of H.E. Sutton Forwarding Company, LLC. If you think our horses are beautiful, wait till you see the rest of the state. From the Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event to the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games, Kentucky is a world-class destination for horse lovers. But there s so much more to enjoy here. Romantic hideaways, rousing music, outdoor adventures, handcrafted art and some of America s prettiest scenery makes Kentucky a true champion. F or a f r ee Ken t uck y V isitor s Guide, call T RIP or visit ken t uck y tourism.com

THE place to get close to HORSES! Portrait. 859-255-5727 www.khpfoundation.

We re going to show the world what Kentucky and rural America is all about, and it will be an easy sell, says Dr.

Nicholson hopes the exposure and excitement generated by the World Equestrian Games will catapult equestrian sports into the

For us, hosting the World Games is just a beginning.

will certainly be adding a number of large events to our annual line up.

When it comes time for rehabilitation, equine athletes receive top-notch care at the world s two largest veterinary clinics,

Rood and Riddle Equine Hospital is up the road from the horse park; Hagyard Equine Medical Institute is across the street.

This morning a horse shipped down from New York to get an MRI and yesterday we had one from Florida, says Dr.

The opportunity Michael Blowen of Old Friends Get a glimpse behind the gates of palatial horse farms.

For a closer look, try one of the companies that take visitors on a three- to four-hour trip down winding roads and through

The Red Mile. Guests can take tours of selected farms, such as Donamire, Three Chimneys, Taylor Made and Cobra.

4 THE place to get close to HORSES! Portrait Donate Today revenue from ticket sales, exhibitors and sponsors. We re going to show the world what Kentucky and rural America is all about, and it will be an easy sell, says Dr. Pearse Lyons, president of the games title sponsor, Alltech. Nicholson hopes the exposure and excitement generated by the World Equestrian Games will catapult equestrian sports into the mainstream, as they are in Europe. The future of the (horse park) is very bright, he says. For us, hosting the World Games is just a beginning. As a result, all the wonderful facilities that have been put in place are allowing us to become a year-round facility, and we will certainly be adding a number of large events to our annual line up. As excited as we are for 2010, we are more excited about 2011 and beyond. When it comes time for rehabilitation, equine athletes receive top-notch care at the world s two largest veterinary clinics, both in Lexington. Rood and Riddle Equine Hospital is up the road from the horse park; Hagyard Equine Medical Institute is across the street. Hagyard, which does more than 6,000 surgeries a year, regularly sees equine athletes from all over North America. This morning a horse shipped down from New York to get an MRI and yesterday we had one from Florida, says Dr. Andy Clark, Hagyard s CEO and a sixthgeneration Californian who moved here in The opportunity Michael Blowen of Old Friends Get a glimpse behind the gates of palatial horse farms. Inside the Fence With lush horse farms lining the roads, a trip to the grocery store can be a scenic drive for Lexingtonians. For a closer look, try one of the companies that take visitors on a three- to four-hour trip down winding roads and through the grounds of some of the area s 450 Thoroughbred farms and equine landmarks such as Keeneland, the Kentucky Horse Park and The Red Mile. Guests can take tours of selected farms, such as Donamire, Three Chimneys, Taylor Made and Cobra. Horse Farm Tours, founded in 1988, sees nearly 8,000 tourists a year from as far as Europe, Australia and Japan. People who come to Lexington on vacation just do not realize how much there is to see and do in this area, says owner and president Margaret Woods. But that is what keeps them coming back; we have people who have been on our tours three and four times and still have a great time. They could spend two weeks just in the Bluegrass area and not see it all. To take a tour: Blue Grass Tours, ; Horse Farm Tours, ; Lexington In Touch, Jeannie Blancq Putney photos by john stephen hockensmith 4089 Iron Works Parkway, Lexington, KY (859) (800) june 2008 Sky 107

Centre College s Norton Center for the Arts Danville, Kentucky to come to the center of the horse world was the only thing that would have ever gotten me out of California.

5 Portrait Kentucky s Home to the Stars Now that you ve seen who s been here, you ll want to know who s coming soon. 108 Sky june 2008 Call HIT-SHOW ( ) or visit nortoncenter.com. Centre College s Norton Center for the Arts Danville, Kentucky to come to the center of the horse world was the only thing that would have ever gotten me out of California. West of Lexington in Versailles, Kirsten Johnson and Hub Johnson run Kesmarc (Kentucky Equine Sports Medicine & Rehabilitation Center) in Versailles. The Johnsons ran an equine rehab facility in Texas for 20 years, and we always had quite a few horses in our barn from Kentucky, says Kirsten Johnson. One of our clients told us we were nuts and needed to be in Kentucky. It s true: If you re going to be in the horse business, Lexington is the place to be. The Johnsons center, which has now been in operation for six years, sees 4,000 horses a year with an average stay of 60 days. Therapy treatments include a hyperbaric chamber for administering hyperbaric oxygen therapy, a swimming pool, an underwater treadmill, a solarium and an indoor track. We provide a controlled exercise regime for high-end athletes to come back to a high level of training so they can perform safely, Johnson says. Another Lexington transplant who relocated to be a part of the horse industry is Michael Blowen, founder and president of Old Friends, a retirement home for Thoroughbred stallions in Georgetown, northwest of Lexington. Blowen and his wife relocated to Lexington in 2001 and opened Old Friends in Old Friends welcomed 20,000 visitors last year from across the globe. The farm currently boards 30 horses on its 52 acres, and supports 10 others at other locations. I never got star-struck when I was covering the movies, and now I am star-struck every day, Blowen says. Two of the horses in my backyard, I couldn t even get tickets to see when they raced; and now they re in my backyard in adjoining paddocks. Though the landscape and the soil originally brought the great horses to the Bluegrass, it s the avid fans and AT HILL N DALE, WE TREAT OUR HORSES LIKE ROYALTY... AND OUR CUSTOMERS EVEN BETTER. LGB, LLC 2008 / Photo: Lee Thomas dedicated horsemen that have kept those bloodlines running through the city for nearly two centuries. Lexington is the heartbeat of the Thoroughbred world, says Kesmarc s Johnson. It is where dreams are made, born, conceived. It is the address. It s become bigger than just the soil. We invite you to experience the Sport of Kings like you ve always wanted to Spurr Road, Lexington, KY (859) fax (859)

winning plan: breed the best to the best Above all else, Kentucky is a place from which champions hail. Since 1971, 28 Bluegrass-born Thoroughbreds have received Eclipse Awards as horse of the year.

state. With more than 360 stallions and 20,000 mares stationed in central Kentucky during breeding season, it s not surprising that the Bluegrass is the Don t stare at the winners circle, stand in it!

In fact, Kentucky is responsible for 29 percent of all Thoroughbred foals born in North America.

6 winning plan: breed the best to the best Above all else, Kentucky is a place from which champions hail. Since 1971, 28 Bluegrass-born Thoroughbreds have received Eclipse Awards as horse of the year. Three out of four Kentucky Derby winners have been Kentucky-bred, and eight of the 11 Triple Crown winners (winners of the Derby, the Preakness and the Belmont Stakes) were born in the Bluegrass state. With more than 360 stallions and 20,000 mares stationed in central Kentucky during breeding season, it s not surprising that the Bluegrass is the Don t stare at the winners circle, stand in it! Thoroughbred racehorse ownership can be the thrill of a lifetime. Take your first step to ownership today! Visit or call (888) hub for producing such champions. In fact, Kentucky is responsible for 29 percent of all Thoroughbred foals born in North America. Champion horses with roots in Lexington include legends Man O War and John Henry, who are both buried at the Kentucky Horse Park; the all-time richest Thoroughbred, Cigar, who resides at the Horse Park; and Triple Crown winners Seattle Slew and Secretariat, who are buried at Hill n Dale and Claiborne farms, respectively. Not resting on their laurels, breeders and trainers in this historyrich area have turned their focus to raising the next generation of horses. The number one good trait of a trainer is being able to go through the ritual at the sales and pick out good horses, says Cindy Jones, wife and assistant to Larry Jones, who trained the 2007 Kentucky Derby runner-up, Hard Spun. (Larry) starts from the ground up with his yearlings; he has a great feeding program; and he has the ability to gallop his horses in the morning himself. Arthur Hancock, owner of Stone Farm and co-breeder of 1998 Preakness and Belmont winner Risen Star and 2000 Kentucky Derby winner Fusaichi Pegasus, has a simple theory about why breeders find success in the Bluegrass: We re farmers, and the crop we raise is horses. What you try to do is maximize (your horses ) potential with big fields, fertile land and good water, he says. You breed the best to the best, and raise them the best you can, and then hope for the best. (Breeding) also takes some guesswork, intuition and objective statistics, he adds. You just never know what you re going to get that s what makes it so much fun. Esther Marr THOROUGHBRED OWNERS AND BREEDERS ASSOCIATION

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Lane Report. The PAID. LANE ONE-ON-ONE: JEFF GARRETT Founder/Owner Mid-American Rare Coin Galleries Lane Report KENTUCKY S BUSINESS NEWS SOURCE FOR 30 YEARS AUGUST 2015 $4.50 The TRIPLE CROWN WIN IMPROVES HORSEMEN S ALREADY GOOD ODDS American Pharoah s feat puts the spotlight on a Thoroughbred sector