Reflections on Kentucky Derby 150th weekend
“We are in a moment right now–and we’re taking the time to recognize that and be thankful for it.”
–Headley Bell, Mill Ridge Farm
At Mill Ridge Farm, our long-term relationships are the cornerstone of our business. Jerry and John Amerman are not only a major part of that business foundation–they’re also our friends. As owner-breeders, the Amermans are part of a subset of owners who specifically breed Thoroughbreds intending to race their offspring rather than sell them. This shows their commitment to their horses and the sport. Only a few programs such as George Strawbridge, Charles Fipke, Live Oak Stud, Juddmonte, and Godolphin have similar intentions with their Thoroughbred programs.
OSCAR PERFORMANCE
OSCAR PERFORMANCE, the 2016 Breeder’s Cup Juvenile Turf Champion, stands stud at Mill Ridge Farm. In Oscar Performance, the Amermans have a horse they bred, from DEVINE ACTRESS, who raced to win not only the (G1) Breeders’ Cup Juvenile but also G1’s at three and four years old. He equaled a world-record mile and earned nearly $2.5 million in his racing career. In addition to his racing talent, he is a handsome horse with a blend of pedigree, having bloodlines attractive to breeders.
Retired to Mill Ridge, OSCAR PERFORMANCE was syndicated with top breeders buying shares in the horse. The Amermans heavily supported him with their mares and shares. In the Thoroughbred industry, the support of a horse is years of investment of time, money, and dreams. In Oscar Performance’s case, that investment is now at nearly five years.
Last weekend, that investment paid off. With the 150th Kentucky Derby and affiliated races running, the Amermans–and Mill Ridge–looked forward to the five OSCAR PERFORMANCE offspring who were entered (after TUMBARUMBA scratched on Friday).
Trikari wins the G2 American Turf
TRIKARI
The Kentucky Derby is so much more than a single race–it’s a full day of racing, preceded on Friday by the Kentucky Oaks. Earlier in the day on Saturday’s Derby, TRIKARI, a son of OSCAR PERFORMANCE, impressively won the (G2) American Turf at odds of 47-1 in the Amerman now highly recognized navy blue and white silks.
ENDLESSLY
ENDLESSLY running in the 150th Kentucky Derby was a dream fulfilled, and it’s difficult for the Amermans or our Mill Ridge family to express with words. Think about this–from a foal crop in 2021 of approximately 10,000 colts, only 20 will enter the gate for the Kentucky Derby. To qualify to run by earning points from earlier races makes each horse a winner on that day.
SEIZE THE GREY
For Mill Ridge, Derby Day was only made brighter with SEIZE THE GREY, who won the (G2) Pat Day Mile at 9-1 odds. SEIZE THE GREY was bred by another very long-time friend and client, Audie Otto, and Jamm Ltd. From a foundation family that her mom, Tolie Otto had nurtured in the mare, SHOP AGAIN, this daughter SMART SHOPPING would produce the first Graded Stakes winner for Audie in SEIZE THE GREY and for the many passionate owners in MyRaceHorse.
Seize the Grey wins the G2 Pat Day Mile
Mill Ridge Farm’s Legacy
Our family has over 150 years in the Thoroughbred horse racing industry. Today, Price Bell runs Mill Ridge and is the sixth generation on this land that was once part of historic Beaumont Farm. Since 1962, we’ve been known as Mill Ridge.