Will Walden

Just a few years into its existence and Stable Recovery-the innovative program that helps people recover from addiction and continues to support them through their recovery with jobs in the racing industry-is flying. The organization recently published statistics that show that hundreds have been through the program who have sustained their sobriety between 30 and 90 days, that they have conducted over 56,000 AA meetings, and that their graduates had found full-time work in 13 different Kentucky farms and businesses. The program's success is clear to see in those numbers,...

When Minaret Station (Instilled Regard) jogged back after his stunning upset victory in the GII Bourbon Stakes at Keeneland on Oct. 6, one of the first people to greet him was trainer Will Walden, followed immediately by Tyler Maxwell. The victory was not only poignant in what it represented, with the 2-year-old colt earning an automatic berth to the GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf, but also in how it brought things full circle for Maxwell who, at one time, was seemingly a lost soul until he was saved by the...

   In this series, the TDN takes a look at notable successes of European-based sires in North America. This week's column is highlighted by the victory of Aussie Girl in Lexington. Aussie Flair At Keeneland Woodford Thoroughbreds' Aussie Girl (Ire) (Starspangledbanner {Aus}) triumphed in her second American start for trainer Will Walden at Keeneland on Oct. 17 (video). Bred by Airlie Stud, the chestnut won the Listed Brigids Pastures Stakes and was placed in the G3 Ballyogan Stakes last year. Sold for €35,000 by her breeder at Goffs Orby to...

From a young age, Jeramie Fennell was certain that he was born to be a jockey. Addicted to the thrill of riding, becoming a jockey was the only thing he really cared about, the only thing he knew for certain. So when, as he continued growing taller throughout his teenage years and maintaining weight became increasingly difficult, Fennell did what he thought he had to do in order to live out his dream. He turned to a different kind of addiction, but this time the consequences would lead him to...

It was hard to see Minaret Station (Instilled Regard) winning the GII Castle and Key Bourbon Stakes last week at Keeneland. He was 38-1 and coming off a narrow win in a maiden at Horseshoe Indianapolis. Yet, he beat his rivals that day, punching his ticket to the GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf. But that was only one part of this story, one that is about being on the bottom, digging your way out of trouble and then thriving. For trainer Will Walden, this will be his first Breeders' Cup...

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N. Y. - Before summer at Saratoga began, eternally young Hall of Fame trainer D. Wayne Lukas was confident his young horses would make him proud before the 40-day meet ended on Labor Day. The clock is ticking. Lukas has had one disappointment after another with his 2-year-olds. "I thought that a couple of them that I liked would have broken their maidens by now," Lukas said, sitting in his office at his barn at the Oklahoma Training Track. "I was looking for one of them to jump...

by Jessica Martini & Stefanie Grimm OCALA, FL - Without a breakout horse and numerous outs, the Ocala Breeders' Sales Company's Spring Sale of 2-Year-Olds in Training dutifully marched through its paces Thursday, with a colt by Nyquist attracting the session's highest price of $550,000 late in the day. Bloodstock agent Donato Lanni, bidding on behalf of Zedan Racing Stable, signed the ticket on the session topper for the third straight day. From a catalogue of 302 horses, just 187 went through the ring Thursday and the session, which started...

Stable Recovery is a rehabilitation program in Lexington, Kentucky that provides a safe living environment and a peer-driven, therapeutic community for men in the early stages of recovery from drug and alcohol addiction. Along with going to 12-step meetings and support groups, residents attend the School of Horsemanship at Taylor Made Farm to learn a new vocation in the Thoroughbred industry. The School of Horsemanship is a project that was created by Taylor Made two years ago and has since seen over 100 men go through the program. Many of...

by Jessica Martini & Christina Bossinakis The Ocala Breeders' Sales Company's March 2-Year-Olds in Training Sale opened Tuesday with a solid session, and while the 2-year-old sales are usually all about speed, the day was topped by a colt by Tapit who galloped during last week's under-tack show. From the Lothenbach dispersal, the youngster sold for $1.2 million to the partnership of West Point Thoroughbreds and D. J. Stables. He was consigned by Tom McCrocklin. "I think it points to the fact that the under-tack show is one metric," said...

Stable Recovery is a rehabilitation program in Lexington, Kentucky that provides a safe living environment and a peer-driven, therapeutic community for men in the early stages of recovery from drug and alcohol addiction. Along with going to 12-step meetings and support groups, residents attend the School of Horsemanship at Taylor Made Farm to learn a new vocation in the Thoroughbred industry. The School of Horsemanship is a project that was created by Taylor Made two years ago and has since seen over 100 men go through the program. Many of...

Andrew Warren and Rania Warren's Raise Cain (Violence), who romped home in the Mar. 4 GIII Gotham S., will likely forego a return trip to Aqueduct and make his next start in the GI Toyota Blue Grass S. at Keeneland Apr. 8, according to trainer Ben Colebrook. Raise Cain had his first work since the Gotham when going four furlongs in :49.00 (1/3) at Keeneland Mar. 22. "He's been training great and put on weight," said Colebrook. "He'll breeze again [Thursday] at Keeneland. I think he really gets it now...

Will Walden' story is a remarkable one. After battling substance abuse issues for more than a decade, he is sober and has just finished his first year as a trainer, winning with 22% of his starters. But the success of his stable extends beyond trips to the winner's circle. Walden's team is comprised of individuals who were also deeply mired in addiction and the group works together not just to produce winners but to support each other. After an inspirational video on Walden's story produced by the TDN's Katie Petrunyak...