NEWS

Company Founder and Industry Leader

John R. Gaines Passes Away at Age 76

February 11, 2005 LEXINGTON -   Described as "a visionary", John Gaines legacy in the thoroughbred industry will be enduring.  The founder of The Breeders' Cup and the builder of  the thoroughbred division of Gainesway Farm, John Gaines made contributions to the horse business which at their infancy were revolutionary which are now considered to be the gold standard.

The business of stallion syndication, now industry wide, was the cornerstone of John Gaines' Gainesway Farm.  The stud careers of Blushing Groom, Bold Bidder, Broad Brush, Lyphard, Riverman, and Vaguely Noble were begun, managed and made with his vision of the stallion's strength to support the entire horse industry.  Other industry standards considered Gaines brainchild include multiple breeding sessions per day for a stallion as well as starting mares under lights late in the year for an early start when breeding shed opens in February.

However, fifty years from now, Gaines' greatest legacy to the horse industry may be his inception of the Breeders' Cup.  John Gaines envisioned a championship day for thoroughbreds, a day like the Super Bowl to highlight the best of the best and help crown the years' champions.  His dream was made reality in 1984 and has grown in scope and popularity since. 

Gaines' contributions didn't end with horses.  The Gaines name lives on at the University of Kentucky's Gaines Center for the Humanities as well as he was a perennial contributor to the arts, sciences, education and religion.  Read more about John Gaines in the Blood Horse's story Remembering John Gaines. 

Full sister to BUDDHA tops January Sale

January, 2005 - KEENELAND, LEXINGTON, KY -  The full sister to BUDDHA (2004 Unbridled's Song - Cahooters filly) topped Keeneland's 2005 January Horses of All Ages sale selling for $900,000. In doing so, she became the fourth highest filly sold in the venue's history. A beautifully conformed full sister to Grade 1 Wood Memorial winner BUDDHA, the gray filly also represents the sixth highest priced yearling sold in the overall history of the Keeneland January Sale. 

Bred by Gaines-Gentry Thoroughbreds, the 2004 filly by UNBRIDLED'S SONG was consigned by Paramount Saels and purchased by Dell Ridge Farm.

SMARTY JONES Dam to Gaines-Gentry Thoroughbreds

November 7, 2004 - FASIG-TIPTON, KY - I'LL GET ALONG, the dam of 2005 racing sensation SMARTY JONES was purchased by Gaines-Gentry and partners for a sale topping $5 million.  Olin Gentry was quoted as saying, "We knew she would bring a lot, she's just an incredible mare."  In addition, Thomas Gaines said, "This is just a huge vote of confidence in the entire industry, we're hoping the yearling market remains as strong as it has been in the previous years. We hope to sell some big-time foals out her."  I'LL GET ALONG is in foal with a full sibling to SMARTY JONES and is due to foal in March.