Reaping the Rewards

enjoyed by two generations of the Winchell family. And that is because another essential ingredient is necessary to get people and horses to the winner’s circle.

“Everyone matches up pedigrees and everyone works hard, and most horses that go to stud have some degree of black type [stakes victories] and strong speed fgures on their resumes,” allowed Fiske, who oversees the Winchell broodmares at Corinthia. “So, I have to attribute it to luck. Ron’s father was one of the luckiest guys I’ve ever known, and Ron may be even luckier.”

Doug

Cauthen, vice chairman of

Tree Chimneys, added, “Ron has earned his luck through hard work, a solid plan, and good people. As a breeder, he really pulled his weight making sure Gun Runner got of to a fast start and is successful.”

One’s luck defnitely improves when you have the access to breed multiple mares each season to a sire such as Tapit. A steady stream of graded stakes winners sired by the gray son of Pulpit has been bred and raced by Winchell over the past decade. Tapizar won the Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile (G1) in 2012. Te following season, Untapable took the grade 1 Hollywood Starlet and returned in 2014 to capture the Cotillion, the Kentucky Oaks, the Breeders’ Cup Distaf, and the Mother Goose Stakes (all grade 1). Also in 2014, Tapiture won the West Virginia Derby (G2) and another pair of graded stakes. In 2015, Untapable won another grade 1, the Apple Blossom.

“Tapit was the last yearling purchased by Verne Winchell,” recalled Antony Beck, CEO of Gainesway. “Horse racing is a passion that Ron has shared with both his parents, and he became obsessed with it, both the track and breeding end. His knowledge is truly immense, and he’s constantly wanting to learn even more.