Darby Dan Farm
Encyclopedia
Darby Dan Farm is a produce
, livestock
, and thoroughbred
horse breeding and training farm
founded in 1935 near the Darby Creek in Galloway, Ohio
by businessman John W. Galbreath. Named for the creek and for Galbreath's son, Daniel M. Galbreath (1928-1995), it was expanded from an original 85 acres (343,983.1 m²) farm into a 4,000 acre (16 km²) estate. Established in 1954 on the original area, Darby House today serves as a banquet and retreat facility. Still in the hands of the Galbreath family, it has 250 acres (1 km²) of woodlands, a 110 acre (0.4451546 km²) animal preserve
, and approximately 3000 acres (12 km²) used for the commercial growing of food crops. The horse farm has 750 acres (3 km²) of blue grass
pasture plus a large number of barns and breeding facilities. As well, 39 houses were built on the property.
1932 Kentucky Derby
winner Burgoo King
. When Idle Hour owner Edward R. Bradley
died in 1946, his Lexington, Kentucky
property was sold then sub-divided into smaller farms. The 650 acres (2.6 km²) core property on the north side of Old Frankfort Pike was purchased by Charles W. Moore who owned it for only a short time before selling it to the Galbreath family in 1949 who renamed it Darby Dan Farm. Colonel Bradley's great stud Black Toney
is buried there, marked by a bronze
statue.
Under John W. Galbreath and his wife Dorothy, Darby Dan Farm made important stallion
acquisitions beginning in 1957 when he paid Rex C. Ellsworth $1 million for a half-interest in his 1956 Horse of the Year
, Swaps
, then later acquired the remaining half for another $1 million. In 1961, Galbreath imported the undefeated Ribot
from Europe and in 1965 brought French Hall of Fame
horse Sea Bird II
to stand at stud for five years at Darby Dan Farm under a $1.5 million lease. That same year, Galbreath was part of a syndicate that acquired Sword Dancer for stud duty at Darby Dan Farm.
The operation eventually produced several champions, including:
Darby Dan Farm is one of just two horse breeding
farms in the world to both breed and own the Derby winners on both sides of the Atlantic Ocean
. In 1974, Galbreath won the Eclipse Award for Outstanding Breeder
. Among the trainers
who conditioned Darby Dan horses for racing were Loyd Gentry, Jr.
,Jack Long, Lou Rondinello, James P. Conway
, and John M. Veitch
.
After John W. Galbreath's death in 1988, Darby Dan Farms continued under the ownership of his son Daniel and daughter Joan (Jody) Phillips. In 1992, grandson John Phillips acquired the Kentucky farm from family members. Among their successes has been Soaring Softly
, winner of the 1999 Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Turf
and Memories of Silver for the Phillips Racing Partnership.
Produce
Produce is a generalized term for a group of farm-produced goods and, not limited to fruits and vegetables . More specifically, the term "produce" often implies that the products are fresh and generally in the same state as where they were harvested. In supermarkets the term is also used to refer...
, livestock
Livestock
Livestock refers to one or more domesticated animals raised in an agricultural setting to produce commodities such as food, fiber and labor. The term "livestock" as used in this article does not include poultry or farmed fish; however the inclusion of these, especially poultry, within the meaning...
, and thoroughbred
Thoroughbred
The Thoroughbred is a horse breed best known for its use in horse racing. Although the word thoroughbred is sometimes used to refer to any breed of purebred horse, it technically refers only to the Thoroughbred breed...
horse breeding and training farm
Farm
A farm is an area of land, or, for aquaculture, lake, river or sea, including various structures, devoted primarily to the practice of producing and managing food , fibres and, increasingly, fuel. It is the basic production facility in food production. Farms may be owned and operated by a single...
founded in 1935 near the Darby Creek in Galloway, Ohio
Galloway, Ohio
Galloway is an unincorporated community west of the city of Columbus in southern Prairie Township, Franklin County, Ohio, United States. The 43119 ZIP Code, however covers a significant portion of rural and suburban western Franklin County, as well as parts of western Columbus, and locals might...
by businessman John W. Galbreath. Named for the creek and for Galbreath's son, Daniel M. Galbreath (1928-1995), it was expanded from an original 85 acres (343,983.1 m²) farm into a 4,000 acre (16 km²) estate. Established in 1954 on the original area, Darby House today serves as a banquet and retreat facility. Still in the hands of the Galbreath family, it has 250 acres (1 km²) of woodlands, a 110 acre (0.4451546 km²) animal preserve
Nature reserve
A nature reserve is a protected area of importance for wildlife, flora, fauna or features of geological or other special interest, which is reserved and managed for conservation and to provide special opportunities for study or research...
, and approximately 3000 acres (12 km²) used for the commercial growing of food crops. The horse farm has 750 acres (3 km²) of blue grass
Poa
Poa is a genus of about 500 species of grasses, native to the temperate regions of both hemispheres. Common names include meadow-grass , bluegrass , tussock , and speargrass. "Poa" is Greek for fodder...
pasture plus a large number of barns and breeding facilities. As well, 39 houses were built on the property.
Kentucky farm
Standing at stud at Darby Dan Farm in Ohio was Idle Hour Stock Farm'sIdle Hour Stock Farm
Idle Hour Stock Farm was a 400 acre thoroughbred horse breeding and training farm near Lexington, Kentucky, United States established in 1906 by Colonel Edward R...
1932 Kentucky Derby
Kentucky Derby
The Kentucky Derby is a Grade I stakes race for three-year-old Thoroughbred horses, held annually in Louisville, Kentucky, United States on the first Saturday in May, capping the two-week-long Kentucky Derby Festival. The race is one and a quarter mile at Churchill Downs. Colts and geldings carry...
winner Burgoo King
Burgoo King
Burgoo King was an American Thoroughbred racehorse who won the first two legs of the U.S. Triple Crown series but who did not run in final race, the Belmont Stakes....
. When Idle Hour owner Edward R. Bradley
Edward R. Bradley
Colonel Edward Riley Bradley was an American steel mill laborer, gold miner, businessman and philanthropist. As well as a race track proprietor, he was the preeminent owner and breeder of Thoroughbred racehorses in the Southern United States during the first three decades of the 20th Century...
died in 1946, his Lexington, Kentucky
Lexington, Kentucky
Lexington is the second-largest city in Kentucky and the 63rd largest in the US. Known as the "Thoroughbred City" and the "Horse Capital of the World", it is located in the heart of Kentucky's Bluegrass region...
property was sold then sub-divided into smaller farms. The 650 acres (2.6 km²) core property on the north side of Old Frankfort Pike was purchased by Charles W. Moore who owned it for only a short time before selling it to the Galbreath family in 1949 who renamed it Darby Dan Farm. Colonel Bradley's great stud Black Toney
Black Toney
Black Toney was bred by James R. Keene's Castleton Farm. Keene, whose health was failing , sold all his holdings in 1912 to Colonel Edward R. Bradley's Idle Hour Stock Farm in Lexington, Kentucky...
is buried there, marked by a bronze
Bronze
Bronze is a metal alloy consisting primarily of copper, usually with tin as the main additive. It is hard and brittle, and it was particularly significant in antiquity, so much so that the Bronze Age was named after the metal...
statue.
Under John W. Galbreath and his wife Dorothy, Darby Dan Farm made important stallion
Stallion (horse)
A stallion is a male horse that has not been gelded .Stallions will follow the conformation and phenotype of their breed, but within that standard, the presence of hormones such as testosterone may give stallions a thicker, "cresty" neck, as well as a somewhat more muscular physique as compared to...
acquisitions beginning in 1957 when he paid Rex C. Ellsworth $1 million for a half-interest in his 1956 Horse of the Year
Eclipse Award for Horse of the Year
The American Award for Horse of the Year is the highest honor given in American thoroughbred horse racing. It has been awarded since 1887 to the horse, irrespective of age, whose performance during the racing year is deemed the most outstanding....
, Swaps
Swaps (horse)
Swaps was a California bred American thoroughbred racehorse. He was the son of Khaled, a stallion imported from the Aga Khan's stud in Europe. Swaps goes back to the immortal Man o' War, via his dam, Iron Reward, through the Triple Crown winner, War Admiral. In the list of the top 100 U.S...
, then later acquired the remaining half for another $1 million. In 1961, Galbreath imported the undefeated Ribot
Ribot (horse)
Ribot was an Italian bay Thoroughbred racehorse, considered the strongest horse of all time.Undefeated in 16 races, he won over distances ranging from 5 furlongs to 1m 7f , in three different countries and in all types of track conditions...
from Europe and in 1965 brought French Hall of Fame
French Horse Racing Hall of Fame
The French Horse Racing Hall of Fame as established by France Galop, the governing authority for Thoroughbred horse races in France. French Horse Racing is a nationally honored sport, as each year thousands gather to observe the races...
horse Sea Bird II
Sea Bird II
Sea Bird II is considered by many to be the greatest post-war European flat racehorse. His Timeform rating of 145 is still the highest ever flat figure awarded by that publication. Sea Bird II is most famous for his breathtaking victories in two of Europe's most prestigious races: the Epsom Derby...
to stand at stud for five years at Darby Dan Farm under a $1.5 million lease. That same year, Galbreath was part of a syndicate that acquired Sword Dancer for stud duty at Darby Dan Farm.
The operation eventually produced several champions, including:
- ChateaugayChateaugay (horse)Chateaugay was an American Thoroughbred Champion racehorse who won two of the three U.S. Triple Crown races. Bred at Darby Dan Farm near Lexington, Kentucky by his prominent owner, John W. Galbreath, Chateaugay was a son of Swaps, the 1956 U.S. Horse of the Year and a Racing Hall of Fame...
- 1963 Kentucky DerbyKentucky DerbyThe Kentucky Derby is a Grade I stakes race for three-year-old Thoroughbred horses, held annually in Louisville, Kentucky, United States on the first Saturday in May, capping the two-week-long Kentucky Derby Festival. The race is one and a quarter mile at Churchill Downs. Colts and geldings carry...
winner - Proud ClarionProud ClarionProud Clarion was an American Thoroughbred racehorse best known for winning the 1967 Kentucky Derby. Owned and bred by John W. Galbreath, he was foaled at his Darby Dan Farm in Lexington, Kentucky. His sire was Hail To Reason, the U.S. Champion Two-Year-Old Colt for 1960, and his grandsire was...
- 1967 Kentucky Derby winner - RobertoRoberto (horse)Roberto was an American-bred Thoroughbred Champion racehorse who competed in Ireland and England.-Background:Roberto was bred by Galbreath at his Darby Dan Farm near Lexington, Kentucky. The son of the successful sire Hail To Reason out of the dam Bramalea, Roberto's grandsire was Turn-To, a...
- 1972 Epsom DerbyEpsom DerbyThe Derby Stakes, popularly known as The Derby, internationally as the Epsom Derby, and under its present sponsor as the Investec Derby, is a Group 1 flat horse race in Great Britain open to three-year-old thoroughbred colts and fillies...
winner - Little CurrentLittle Current (horse)Little Current was an American Thoroughbred racehorse who won the final two legs of the 1974 U.S. Triple Crown.-Background:Owned and bred by John W...
- 1974 PreaknessPreakness StakesThe Preakness Stakes is an American flat Thoroughbred horse race for three-year-olds held on the third Saturday in May each year at Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore, Maryland. It is a Grade I race run over a distance of 9.5 furlongs on dirt. Colts and geldings carry 126 pounds ; fillies 121 lb...
and Belmont StakesBelmont StakesThe Belmont Stakes is an American Grade I stakes Thoroughbred horse race held every June at Belmont Park in Elmont, New York. It is a 1.5-mile horse race, open to three year old Thoroughbreds. Colts and geldings carry a weight of 126 pounds ; fillies carry 121 pounds...
winner - Proud TruthProud TruthProud Truth was an American Thoroughbred racehorse. He was bred by Dorothy Galbreath, wife of prominent horseman John W. Galbreath, at their Darby Dan Farm in Lexington, Kentucky....
- 1985 Breeders' Cup ClassicBreeders' Cup ClassicThe Breeders' Cup Classic is a Grade I Weight for Age thoroughbred horse race for 3 year olds and older run at a distance of 1¼ miles on dirt. It is held annually at a different racetrack as part of the Breeders' Cup World Championships...
winner - GraustarkGraustark (horse)Graustark was an American Thoroughbred racehorse who was a favorite to win the 1966 Kentucky Derby until an injury prematurely ended his career.-Background:Bred by renowned sportsman John W...
- undefeated in seven straight races, he sustained a career-ending injury while in the lead in the 1966 Blue Grass StakesBlue Grass StakesThe Toyota Blue Grass Stakes, currently sponsored by the Toyota Motor Corporation, is an American Grade 1 horse race for 3-year-old Thoroughbreds held annually in mid April at Keeneland Racecourse in Lexington, Kentucky....
.
Darby Dan Farm is one of just two horse breeding
Horse breeding
Horse breeding is reproduction in horses, and particularly the human-directed process of selective breeding of animals, particularly purebred horses of a given breed. Planned matings can be used to produce specifically desired characteristics in domesticated horses...
farms in the world to both breed and own the Derby winners on both sides of the Atlantic Ocean
Atlantic Ocean
The Atlantic Ocean is the second-largest of the world's oceanic divisions. With a total area of about , it covers approximately 20% of the Earth's surface and about 26% of its water surface area...
. In 1974, Galbreath won the Eclipse Award for Outstanding Breeder
Eclipse Award for Outstanding Breeder
Eclipse Award for Outstanding Breeder is an American Thoroughbred horse racing honor for breeders. Created in 1971, it is part of the Eclipse Awards program and is awarded annually.Its Canadian counterpart is the Sovereign Award for Outstanding Breeder....
. Among the trainers
Horse trainer
In horse racing, a trainer prepares a horse for races, with responsibility for exercising it, getting it race-ready and determining which races it should enter...
who conditioned Darby Dan horses for racing were Loyd Gentry, Jr.
Loyd Gentry, Jr.
Loyd "Boo" Gentry, Jr. is an American horse trainer.He was the son of jockey and trainer, Loyd Gentry, Sr., who trained for the prominent Canadian horseman Harry C. Hatch and for whom he conditioned the winner of the 1941 King's Plate, Canada's most prestigious race. Loyd Jr. was also the nephew...
,Jack Long, Lou Rondinello, James P. Conway
James P. Conway
James P. Conway was an American Hall of Fame trainer in Thoroughbred horse racing who trained forty-three stakes winners including five Champions and a winner of two American Classic Races....
, and John M. Veitch
John M. Veitch
John M. Veitch is an American Hall of Fame Thoroughbred horse trainer. The son of U.S. Racing Hall of Fame trainer Sylvester Veitch, his family has been part of the horse-training business for three generations....
.
After John W. Galbreath's death in 1988, Darby Dan Farms continued under the ownership of his son Daniel and daughter Joan (Jody) Phillips. In 1992, grandson John Phillips acquired the Kentucky farm from family members. Among their successes has been Soaring Softly
Soaring Softly
Soaring Softly is an American Thoroughbred Champion racehorse. She was bred and raced by Joan Phillips and her son John of the renowned Darby Dan Farm. Her sire is Darby Dan's outstanding stallion Kris S., a son of the Darby Dan European star grass racer Roberto...
, winner of the 1999 Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Turf
Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Turf
The Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Turf is a Weight for Age Thoroughbred horse race on turf for fillies and mares, three years old and up. It is held annually at a different racetrack in the United States as part of the Breeders' Cup World Championships....
and Memories of Silver for the Phillips Racing Partnership.