Kentucky Horses

Horses are serious business in Kentucky, and there are over 50 breeds in Kentucky, but make no mistake the thoroughbred is king here. Thoroughbred breeding, racing, sales, and the tourism associated with the industry bring in hundreds of millions of dollars into Kentucky’s coffers. Over 135 separate agencies monitor, regulate, advise, lobby for, and Support Thoroughbred racing in the state.

There are Standardbreds, Kentucky Walkers, and Quarter Horses in the state however the thoroughbred industry brings in more money, and tourists to Kentucky than all of them combined. To get an idea of the amount of money horses can bring in, last month at the Fasig-Tipton Sale in Florida a record price was paid for a Florida Bred son of “Forestry” a sire who stands at stud in Kentucky at Taylor Made Farm for a $100,000 stud fee. Even though the horse is a Florida Bred, his connections to Kentucky are many. He was originally sold at a Kentucky sale for $425,000 last year, has a Kentucky based sire, and was sold by a Kentucky based company. The unnamed two year old in training’s stock skyrocketed after an eye-popping 1/8th mile work in under 10 seconds with seemingly little effort. Look for Michael Tabor’s three year old son of Forestry to return home the Kentucky in 2007 on the first Saturday in May.

The last four record setters were all Kentucky bred horses selling in Keeneland Kentucky Sales. 13.1 million for Seattle Dancer in 1985. Snaafi Dancer s $10.2 million at the 1983 Keeneland Sale, a yearling went for $9.7 million at last years Keeneland September Yearling Sale, and Champion Ashado sold for $9.0 Million at the Keeneland November Breeding Stock Sale. Thoroughbred horse breeding in Kentucky, and for that matter, the world traces its genealogy back the three foundation sires as far back as the late 1600’s. Byerley Turk, Darley Arabian, and Godolphin Arabian are the three sires on which all thoroughbreds’ foundations are laid. Their blood still courses through nearly every horse that steps on a racetrack today. The Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington draws nearly a million visitors annually, and reminds area residents of the place in their history that the Kentucky Horse holds. The Bronze statue of Man o’ War welcomes you the park. One of the many great horses produced in Kentucky, you can compare your step to his unbelievable 28 foot stride at his gravesite in the park.
Anywhere you go in the Blue Grass region, you are constantly reminded that the Thoroughbred Racehorse is King in Kentucky.

Author Ron Stemple
Copyright 2006, Ron Dowell