Kristen Esler

by Jessica Martini & Christina Bossinakis LEXINGTON, KY - The first of two Book 2 sessions of the Keeneland November Breeding Stock Sale saw marked polarization, as the demand for the perceived quality remained strong, but fell off for the less desired offerings. "It's been a realistic, selective market today," said Keeneland Vice President of Sales Tony Lacy. "I think it was pretty evident throughout the day, people knew what they wanted and they were very specific about what they were willing to invest in. Speaking to a lot of...

Not many people have heard of Thirty Year Farm--yet. Kristen Esler hopes that someday soon, it will be a different story. Six years ago, Esler decided that after years of corporate life, she was ready to try something different. She and her husband Matt began looking for a piece of property in Saratoga. They found a farm located just off Fish Creek, less than five miles from the racetrack, and it was love at first sight. On the couple's thirtieth wedding anniversary, they signed the paperwork on their new property...

Owner Tom Brockley admitted he had moderate expectations when Brocknardini (Palace Malice) went to the post for the first time Wednesday at Saratoga. "In my mind, she was really more of a dirt horse, but this race came up and she was ready to go," Brockley, who owns the 2-year-old filly with his wife, Daryn, said. "She had a good work from the gate 10 days or so ago at Saratoga. [Trainer] George [Weaver] said, 'We've got to race her.' The race that came up was this. So I said,...