Every spring, I visit Kentucky to photograph thoroughbreds of all ages. In this post I will share photos I took in 2024 at Jonabell Farm in Lexington, home to Darley, Godolphin’s stallion division. Click here to view my previous Kentucky posts.
Godolphin is one of, if not the, world’s top breeding and racing outfits. When you enter the visitor’s center at Jonabell, you immediately see the saddle towels of some of their graded stakes winners from 2023, including 2023 Grade I Coaching Club American Oaks winner Wet Paint, 2023 Horse of the Year Cody’s Wish, and 2023 Kentucky Oaks winner Pretty Mischievous.
Darley has sponsored the Grade I Alcibiades Stakes at Keeneland since 2003.
Cody’s Wish is the first back-to-back winner of the Secretariat “Vox Populi” Award, earning the honor in 2022 and 2023.
Some of the many trophies Godolphin has acquired over the years are on display in the visitors center.
The brick barns have a blue trim, a nod to Godolphin’s signature silks color.
Street Sense is one of the most accomplished racehorses to stand stud at Darley, having won both the 2006 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile and the 2007 Kentucky Derby, a feat only one other horse, fellow Darley stallion Nyquist, has accomplished.
MGSW Hard Spun grazes on some grass.
MGSW Enticed was bred and raced by Godolphin. The son of Medaglia d’Oro was transferred to Mountain Springs Farm in Pennsylvania.
Kentucky Derby winner Nyquist, winner of over $5 million, is a top stallion at Darley.
Dubai World Cup winner Mystic Guide is another Godolphin homebred.
Belmont and Travers Stakes winner Essential Quality strikes a pose.
MG1SW Medaglia d’Oro, one of Darley’s most accomplished stallions, was pensioned from stud duty earlier this year.
Jonabell farm is the final resting place for stallions Street Cry (sire of Street Sense and Zenyatta), 1978 Triple Crown winner Affirmed, and multiple grade 1 winner Bernardini.
MGSW Proxy raced for four seasons, netting over $2.7 million in earnings.
2023 Horse of the Year Cody’s Wish is a fan favorite on tours.
Proxy is led into the barn.
Cody’s Wish peers out his barn window.
MG1SW Maxfield was sired by fellow Darley stallion Street Sense.
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.
Liked this post? Subscribe by email below to receive future posts!
One thought on “2024 Kentucky Trip Part VI: Visiting Jonabell Farm in Lexington”
Comments are closed.
Amazing!!