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Mill Ridge Farm

Mill Ridge Farm is a Thoroughbred farm raising and selling racehorses in Lexington, Kentucky since 1962. The original 286 acres of land was part of Beaumont Farm, given to current owner and founder Alice Headley Chandler by her father, Hal Price Headley upon his death in 1962. Hal Price Headley was the co-founder and first president of the Keeneland Racecourse. The farm acreage has since expanded by leasing surrounding farmland from siblings to total 1,100 acres. The farm annually boards approximately 150 mares, 100 foals, and 100 yearlings.

In 2008, Alice Chandler’s son, Price Headley Bell became managing partner of the farm. It was in growing up and working on the farm and racetrack that this fifth generation horseman received his early education with Thoroughbreds. After graduating from Vanderbilt University, Bell founded Nicoma Bloodstock in 1979 to provide consultation and services to existing farm clientele at Mill Ridge Farm. Since then, Nicoma Bloodstock has grown to be one of the leading full-service bloodstock agencies in the Thoroughbred industry. Headley Bell is recognized as counselor and advisor of many leading owners/breeders including, 2011 American Horse of the Year Havre de Grace for Nancy Dillman, 2011 Canadian Horse of the Year Never Retreat for Gerry O’Meara & Stanley Inman, two Kentucky Derby winners, Barbaro for Roy and Gretchen Jackson, and Kentucky Derby winner Street Sense for Jim and Gus Tafel. Bell assisted with the mating of Breeder’s Cup winner Artie Schiller for Haras de Mezeray, Blue Grass winner Monba for Alice Chandler and Audrey Otto, and 2008 European Champion Filly Rainbow View for longtime client George Strawbridge, Jr. With the added responsibilities of farm management, Headley Bell is now assisted by his son Price Headley Bell, Jr., who joined Nicoma Bloodstock in 2011. Like his father, Price is also a graduate of Vanderbilt University, and has completed his MBA from Vanderbilt's Owen School of Business. From the racetrack to the foaling barn, Price has worked in all facets of the Thoroughbred business, and compliments his horsemanship with an academic perspective.

Present day:
Mill Ridge Farm has raised or sold 30 Grade 1 winning horses since 2000 including: 2011 American Horse of the Year Havre de Grace, 2011 Canadian Horse of the Year Never Retreat (sold in utero), 2009 Blue Grass Stakes winner Monba, 2009 Breeders’ Cup Ladies Classic winner Life Is Sweet, 2006 Kentucky Derby winner Giacomo, 2006 Emirates Airline Breeders’ Cup Distaff winner Round Pond, 2005 NetJets Breeder’s Cup Mile winner Artie Schiller, 2004 Breeder’s Cup Juvenile Fillies winner Sweet Catomine, 2003 John Deere Breeders’ Cup Turf winner Johar, 2002 and 2003 Japanese Horse of the Year Symboli Kris S, 2000 Breeders’ Cup Distaff winner Spain, as well as 2000 Horse of the Year Point Given.

Sales graduates include Jalil, who sold for $9.7 million at Keeneland September yearling sale in 2005, the $4.2 million sale topper of the 2010 Keeneland September yearling sale, an A.P. Indy colt. The 2010 -2011 sale season saw Mill Ridge Farm sell the high-priced yearling in three of five yearling sales. Mill Ridge Farm consigned 2011 American Horse of the Year Havre de Grace, as well as 2011 Canadian Horse of the Year Never Retreat (sold in utero).

'The 30 Grade 1 winners since 2000 include:'


 * Power Broker - 2012
 * Havre de Grace - 2011
 * Never Retreat - 2011
 * Miss Match - 2011
 * Harmonious - 2010
 * Life Is Sweet - 2009
 * Passion For Gold - 2009
 * Monba - 2008
 * Mast Track - 2008
 * Dynaforce - 2008
 * Octave - 2007
 * Tiago - 2007
 * Round Pond - 2006
 * Germance - 2006
 * Giacomo - 2005
 * Artie Schiller - 2005
 * Sweet Catomine - 2005
 * Pohave - 2004
 * Dessert - 2003
 * Johar - 2003
 * Honor In War - 2003
 * Symboli Kris S - 2002-2003
 * Kudos - 2002
 * Cetewayo - 2002
 * Nobo True - 2001
 * Point Given - 2001
 * Habibti - 2001
 * Scorpion - 2001
 * Bienamado - 2000
 * Spain - 2000

Mill Ridge Farm is home to famous mares such as La Ville Rouge and Easter Bunnette, the dams of Barbaro and Havre De Grace. Set Them Free, the mother of Kentucky Derby winner Giacomo, and Balance, Grade 1 winning half-sister to Grade 1 Zenyatta whose first foal brought $4.2 million at the 2010 Keeneland September Yearling sale, for John and Jerry Amerman.

Background:
Alice Chandler became the first woman to breed a derby winner five years after founding the farm, making Mill Ridge Farm an international source of top-flight performers when SIR IVOR became the third American-bred to ever win the Epsom Derby in 1968. SIR IVOR was sold at the 1966 Keeneland July sale for $42,000 to Raymond Guest. SIR IVOR’s influence was a major turning point for Keeneland and other sales agencies, as foreign buyers came to America to buy classic winners.

Alice Chandler received the 2009 Eclipse Award of Merit. She has served as chairperson of the University of Kentucky Equine Research Foundation, president of the Kentucky Thoroughbred Association, and a director of the Breeders' Cup, Keeneland Association, Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association; and a member of the Equine Drug Council and the Gluck Research Center. Alice Chandler was recognized by the 2006 Kentucky State Senate for her lifelong dedication to the community and to the equine industry.

External links:
www.millridge.com

www.nicoma.com