Farm Manager of the Year

Whatever Next? It's as big a question for the throwback gelding of that name as for his sire, both standing at an exciting crossroads in their respective careers. Next's domination of a niche division of the American Turf is now such that he may now try to adapt to a more competitive, mainstream discipline at the Breeders' Cup. But whether this switch concerns distance or surface, in the Classic or Turf respectively, nobody should be surprised if the gray proves equal to the challenge. For his sire Not This Time...

Spendthrift Farm's Ned Toffey has been named the Kentucky Thoroughbred Farm Managers' Club (KTFMC) 2024 Ted Bates Farm Manager of the Year. Toffey has been at Spendthrift since 2004, when he worked with the late B. Wayne Hughes to rebuild the historic farm to a leading modern-day institution in the sport. KTFMC will host its annual Dinner Dance to honor Toffey at the Carrick House in Lexington on Friday, Dec. 6. A silent auction will be held with all proceeds benefitting a charity of Toffey's choosing. "Ned's management of Spendthrift,...

Frank Taylor of Taylor Made Farm has been selected as the 2023 Ted Bates Farm Manager of the Year, The Kentucky Thoroughbred Farm Managers' Club (KTFMC) announced on Tuesday. His father, Joe Taylor, was honored with the award in 1976. Taylor has served in many roles at Taylor Made Farm, including General Farm Manager, Vice President of Boarding, and Vice President of Sales. He became a partner in the organization in 1982. "I am so grateful that the KTFMC has honored my father with such a prestigious award," Katie Taylor...

Veronica Reed had just graduated high school when she met Sandy Hatfield, but that short introduction left a life-alerting impact. Born and raised in Colorado, Reed moved to Lexington to pursue a career in the Thoroughbred industry. While working in the yearling division at Three Chimneys Farm, she was sent to pick something up from the stallion barn. Peeking into the breeding shed to scope out who was in charge, she quickly noticed that a woman was in command. She was petite--at least, compared to the powerful studs she handled--with...

The Kentucky Thoroughbred Farm Managers' Club (KTFMC) has chosen Shawhan Place's Matthew Koch as the 2022 Ted Bates Farm Manager of the Year. The honor is given annually to a farm manager "who has demonstrated quality and success in their management role; service to the community; involvement in the KTFMC; and industry leadership and dedication." "I am thrilled to hear Matthew has won this prestigious award," said Teddy Kuster, co-owner of Shawhan Place and the 1986 KTFMC Farm Manager of the Year. "The club has meant a lot to Matt's...

The Kentucky Thoroughbred Farm Managers' Club (KTFMC) has announced Lane's End Farm's Mike Cline will be honored as the 2020 Ted Bates Farm Manager of the Year. Cline has been part of Lane's End since 1979, when Will Farish hired him to manage the then-new farm in Woodford County near Versailles. Cline grew up in Versailles as the son of a farm manager and attended the University of Kentucky. He worked on the racetrack with Hall of Fame trainer Mack Miller, then returned to the Versailles area to manage Big...