Last spring, I visited Kentucky to photograph thoroughbreds of all ages, from a day old to 30 years old! In this post I will share photos I took at Airdrie Stud in Midway, a breeding farm. Click here to view my previous Kentucky posts.
Airdrie Stud was started by late former Kentucky governor Bremerton C. Jones and his wife Libby Jones in 1972. The property has been in Mrs. Jones’ family for over 200 years. Part of the property is on the land where Woodburn Stud was located, the farm where legendary racehorse and breed-shaping sire Lexington stood in the 19th century. Having read two exceptionally written books about him, Horse by Geraldine Brooks (a novel) and Lexington by Kim Wickens (a biography), the history of the land was my initial draw to the farm. Learning about the present day farm and seeing the stallions and some of the mares and foals made for a gratifying experience.
The first horse I saw at Airdrie was 2023 Kentucky Derby winner Mage!
Horses aren’t the only animals on the farm!
Cairo Prince peeks out from his stall.
Upstart stands for a fee of $25,000. Among his progeny is Grade I winner Zandon, who finished third in the 2022 Kentucky Derby.
On the track, Upstart earned $1.7 million and won such races as the Holy Bull Stakes and the Razorback Handicap.
In addition to Zandon, Upstart has sired 18 other stakes winners, including graded stakes winners such as Masqueparade, Kathleen O., and Trademark.
Complexity was the leading freshman sire by graded stakes wins in 2024. His son Mo Plex gave him the first of those wins when he took the Grade III Sanford Stakes at Saratoga.
On the track, Complexity won five of his 10 starts, including the Grade I Champagne Stakes.
Highly Motivated occupies the former stall of Harlan’s Holiday, sire of six-time leading stallion Into Mischief.
In addition to winning the Kentucky Derby, Mage also placed in the Florida Derby, the Preakness Stakes, and the Haskell Stakes.
This Girvin filly out of Heart of Midway is gorgeous.
Above is the filly’s dam.
Arabian Gazelles and her Munnings colt were a joy to photograph. The colt was full of energy!
To see more of my equine photography be sure to follow me on Instagram and Facebook. All photos in this post © Samantha Decker and may not be reused without permission.
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Lovely historical farm!