Mill Ridge, Nicoma Bloodstock, and Kentucky Derby Successes
On the first Saturday in May, all eyes are on Kentucky as the world watches the most fantastic two minutes in sports history. There’s no sporting event quite like the Kentucky Derby.
And when it comes to the winner's circle, Mill Ridge Farm and its consulting arm Nicoma Bloodstock have a long history of Kentucky Derby success, from raising and selling 36 G1 winners to mating winning progeny, including three Kentucky Derby winners Giacomo, Barbaro, and Street Sense.
It’s been said that there’s magic in the hills of Mill Ridge Farm. It’s a special place for horse racing lovers to visit and a sure bet for your Lexington Kentucky horse farm tour. Only a few miles from Keeneland Racetrack in Lexington, Mill Ridge Farm has nurtured racehorses on the same land for generations, and the Mill Ridge family’s roots run deep. Hal Price Headley, father of Mill Ridge’s matriarch, Alice Chandler, was the creator of the Keeneland Association and served as Keeneland’s first president. Keeneland is an internationally renowned racecourse and the thoroughbred industry’s leading auction house. It is the embodiment of the highest class of elegance and sport in horse racing.
As a breeder, Hal Price Headley produced nearly 100 stakes winners. At home, Mr. Headley had a special relationship with his daughter, Alice, and he never shielded her from farm life–including tough chores and rolling dice with the jockeys. When he passed away in 1962, his 4,000 acre Beaumont Farm estate was divided, leaving Alice four mares and 286 acres. Alice started Mill Ridge that same year, diving into a male-dominated industry of breeding and raising champion thoroughbreds. She developed a client base from California to Europe to the Middle East, and in the process transformed the sport.
Kentucky Derby Winners
Giacomo
2005 Kentucky Derby Winner, Giacomo
Perhaps you can even hear Tom Durkin’s calls as Giacomo—at 50-1 odds erased a 17th place start to charge from the outside in the final split seconds of the 2005 Kentucky Derby. Giacomo was a son of Holy Bull. He was foaled and raised at Mill Ridge Farm on behalf of Ann and Jerry Moss.
Barbaro
2006 Kentucky Derby Winner, Barbaro
Barbaro was undefeated as he broke from the pack, turned on speed and teemed with grace and power, crossing the line with space behind him in the 2006 Kentucky Derby. Bred by Mr. and Mrs. Roy Jackson, clients of Mill Ridge Farm, who were advised by Alice’s son, Headley, to breed their mare La Ville Rouge to Dynaformer, giving them Barbaro.
Street Sense
2007 Kentucky Derby Winner, Street Sense
Street Sense accomplished something that no other thoroughbred had, winning the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile, being recognized as champion two-year-old, and then winning the Kentucky Derby at three years old. In a field of 20 horses, “the stretch running sensation” cruised from 19th position to win the 2007 Kentucky Derby on behalf of Jim Tafel.
In addition to Derby winners, Mill Ridge Farm’s history includes six Breeders' Cup winners and five Horses of the Year.
Horse of the Year Winners
Point Given (2001)
Point Given asserted himself as the best of his crop with decisive victories in the Preakness and Belmont. His 11-length triumph at Belmont Stakes made him the 17th horse to complete the Preakness-Belmont double. Point Given earned the titles of 2001 Horse of the Year and Champion three year-old Colt. Owned by Thoroughbred Corp, he was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2010, and his progeny earned over $30 million in earnings
Havre de Grace (2011)
In 2003, Nicoma purchased Easter Bunnette on behalf of long-time client, Mrs. Nancy Dillman. Following the recommended pairing given by Headley Bell, Easter Bunnette was mated to Saint Liam in 2006. The following year the Mill Ridge Team welcomed the arrival of her foal, Havre de Grace. She was foaled at Mill Ridge Farm and sold as a yearling at Keeneland. The race filly went on to earn over $2 million and a Beyer Speed Figure of 121. She earned the titles of Champion Older Female and 2011 Horse of the Year.
Bricks and Mortar (2019)
Bricks and Mortar is the foal of Beyond the Waves by Giant’s Causeway. In 2019, Bricks and Mortar won five Grade 1 victories, including the Breeder’s Cup at Santa Anita in the span of 11 months. Assisting with the mating on behalf of George Strawbridge, Nicoma Bloodstock is recognized with two Horse of the Years in less than ten years.
The common thread running between these horses is their lineage and their connection to Mill Ridge Farm. The tradition and lineage of Mill Ridge Farm continues beyond the historic influence of Alice Chandler and into the future.
The People and Future of Mill Ridge Farm
Headley Bell
Headley Bell, son of Alice Chandler, has been instrumental in the success of Mill Ridge Farm over the past several decades and continues to serve as the Managing Partner of Mill Ridge. Headley founded Nicoma Bloodstock, the consulting arm of Mill Ridge Farm, in 1979. Nicoma Bloodstock has assisted in the matings of Kentucky Derby and Breeder's Cup winners, Horse of the Year Award winners, and numerous graded stakes winners. He had early success with a mating in 1983, producing Trempolino, who won France’s most prestigious race, the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe (G1) in 1987 and was recognized as Champion Three-Year-Old. In 1987, another successful mating produced Suave Dancer, who went on to win the 1991 Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe (G1) in 1991 and was recognized as French and Irish Highweight. Headley has had much success with Nicoma Bloodstock, including highlights such as Barbaro, Street Sense, Havre de Grace, Oscar Performance, and Bricks and Mortar.
Price Bell
Price began his working life in the stables of Mill Ridge Farm, cleaning stalls, turning out horses, and learning the ins-and-outs of horse farm life as a seventh grader. He continued to work summers at Mill Ridge throughout his teenage years. After earning his business degree from Vanderbilt University and a career in real estate, he returned to his hometown in 2011 to continue his work for the family business. Today, as General Manager of Mill Ridge Farm, Price is still hands-on in every facet of farm life. He has invested himself in improving and growing Mill Ridge and Lexington’s civic scene.
Mill Ridge Farm has been instrumental in Kentucky's place on the world stage when it comes to thoroughbred horse racing. When you walk the hills at Mill Ridge, you walk the legendary hills that continue to create champions—the space that led Point Given to his 11-length triumph at Belmont and Horse of the Year honors. Mill Ridge Farm has a deep love for racing and a storied past among some of the greatest American sporting traditions. Future champions are being sired and raised at Mill Ridge Farm. Which of their names and stories will we know by heart?
Interested in learning more about broodmares, foals, weanlings, and two-year olds? Want to see how they are raised for yourself? Schedule a tour of Mill Ridge Farm today through Visit Horse Country.