Historic Gainesway Farm

We ventured back to Kentucky recently and made a visit to Gainesway, one of the farms on my "bucket list."  Gainesway's current claim to fame is Tapit, the most prolific (and expensive) TB stallion standing in North America, with a 2017 stud fee of $300,00 with a limited book of 125 mares.  At the recent Keeneland Select Sale, his offspring brought a median price of around $900K.

Gainesway has a deep past, rooted in TB history.  Some of the most famous race horses raced for Gainesway, were bred by Gainesway or are buried at Gainesway:
 
These famous horses are buried here:

Arts and Letters (1966–1998) Bimelech (1937–1966) Blushing Groom (1974–1992) Bold Bidder (1962–1982) Broomstick (1901–1931) Cannonade (1971–1993) Capot (1946–1974) Counterpoint (1948–1969) Equipoise (1928–1938) Irish River (1976–2004) Key to the Mint (1969–1996) La Troienne (1926–1954) Lyphard (1969–2005)

Mahmoud (1933–1962) Peter Pan (1904–1933) Regret (1912–1934) Riverman (1969–1999) Shut Out (1939–1964) Silver Spoon (1956–1978) St Germans (1921–1947) Stage Door Johnny (1965–1996) Tom Fool (1949–1976) Top Flight (1929–1949) Twenty Grand (1928–1948) Vaguely Noble (1965–1989) Whisk Broom II (1907–1928) Winning Colors (1985–2008)

The farm is as lovely as you would expect.  The grounds are gorgeous and well-maintained.  This is Empire Maker who stands currently for $100,000. He is the sire of Pioneer of the Nile, American Pharoah's sire. 

 This is Alfeet Alex who won the Preakness and the Belmont.  He is an older stallion.  The stallion barns here are incredible.  Each barn houses two or four horses. The barns were built in the 1980's and would cost today around $900K each (for a four stall barn).  No expense was spared. They thought of everything.

Here is Tapit.  He is small, about 16 hands but put together so well....

Tapit will likely go down in history as one of the most influential stallions ever bred in North America. His offspring have won an amazing 22 G1 races. And still counting. His offspring have won 3 of the last 4 Belmont Stakes but they win on grass, on dirt, in sprints and in long distances.

If you get a chance to visit Gainesway, please go see it. It is a lovely place, full of history.