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Keeneland Names Cormac Breathnach As Director Of Sales Operations

Keeneland today named prominent bloodstock consultant Cormac Breathnach, Ph.D., as its new Director of Sales Operations.

Breathnach brings a distinctive set of skills and more than 20 years of horse industry experience to Keeneland, combining bloodstock and pedigree knowledge, practical sales expertise and a doctorate in veterinary science from the Gluck Equine Research Center at the University of Kentucky.

“We are excited to have Cormac join the Keeneland sales team as the Director of Sales Operations,” Keeneland Vice President of Sales Tony Lacy said. “I have long admired his professionalism, knowledge and integrity, which is second to none, and have had the pleasure of watching him develop in the industry and gain the respect of a broad range of professionals. His skill set, personality and strong work ethic will help evolve Keeneland sales for the future. In addition, his background in research and animal welfare is a valuable asset as we continue to strive to set higher standards for the industry.”

Breathnach succeeds Geoffrey Russell, who announced his retirement in April following 25 years with Keeneland. Russell will remain in a consulting role with Keeneland through 2021.

“Geoffrey very generously has been helping us through the transition process to make it as seamless as possible,” Lacy said. “I can never thank him enough for his commitment to Keeneland even in his first stages of retirement. I know Cormac will integrate into this role smoothly with Geoffrey's guidance.”

Since 2017, Breathnach has served as Director of Stallion Nominations at Airdrie Stud, which stands such exciting young stallions as Cairo Prince, Collected and Complexity. For nearly eight years prior to his position at Airdrie, he was Stallion Seasons and Matings Consultant at Adena Springs, where he represented Breeders' Cup Classic winners and leading sires Ghostzapper and Awesome Again. Breathnach also founded Galway Bloodstock, a consultancy that has provided a range of services including auction representation, racehorse management and matings analysis.

A native of Galway, Ireland, Breathnach studied biotechnology at National University of Ireland, Galway (NUIG). Following a summer research internship at Alltech in Lexington, he returned to Central Kentucky to earn a Ph.D. in Veterinary Science from the Gluck Equine Research Center in 2001. He completed two post-doctoral studies, first at the veterinary school at the University of Wisconsin-Madison from 2001-2003 before returning to the Gluck Center from 2004-2007. There he was the inaugural recipient of the Paul Mellon Postdoctoral Scholarship.

“It is a great honor to be named Director of Sales Operations at Keeneland,” Breathnach said. “Keeneland is a world-renowned cornerstone of the Thoroughbred industry, and to participate in its progressive mission under (Keeneland President and CEO) Shannon Arvin, Tony Lacy and the talented team already in place is a privilege.

“I have spent the last 12 years working with breeders, consignors and buyers on behalf of two of the preeminent stud farms in the Bluegrass, and I am excited to carry those relationships through to this new role with Keeneland,” Breathnach said. “I am grateful for the opportunities I have been given along the way, particularly to Bret Jones and his family for four successful years at Airdrie Stud.”

“Cormac has been such a tremendous contributor to Airdrie Stud, and I know I speak for our entire team when I say how much we will miss him,” Airdrie Stud Vice President Bret Jones said. “Keeneland and our breeding and racing community at large are gaining an advocate of the absolute highest ability and character. He is one of the truly wonderful people in our industry. I am very happy for Cormac to ascend to this important position and will always be grateful for the great friendship we've developed these last four years.”

Breathnach is on the board of both the Gluck Foundation, where he is the first graduate of the Gluck Equine Research Center to serve in that capacity, and the Secretariat Center. He is a past board member of the Iroquois Hunt Club.

Breathnach and his wife, Catherine, along with their daughter, Anna (9), reside in Lexington.

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Kerin Joins Hidden Brook Farm As Sales Account Manager

Hidden Brook Farm announced on May 27 that Melbourne, Australia native Josh Kerin has joined the farm as a sales account manager.

Josh's initial experience with horses began on a family harness racing farm before venturing to nearby Caulfield Racecourse as a teenager to work under the tutelage of classic winning trainer Colin Little while completing his local education. Josh pursued his Equine Science degree at Colorado State University while punting for the football team and serving as a veterinary assistant at the prestigious Colorado State Equine Reproduction Lab.

Sergio de Sousa, part owner of Hidden Brook Farm, said, “We're very pleased to welcome Josh to our team. He gained valuable experience interning at Three Chimney's Farm and also making the rounds at the sales with several prominent agents. He'll assist in recruiting and bloodstock services and take an active role in our sales consignments. Josh brings great enthusiasm and passion to his position and we, as a group, are looking forward to working together to grow our enterprise.”

“I'm very excited to work with the Hidden Brook crew,” Kerin said. “It's a very unique opportunity considering they have both a full-service nursery in Kentucky and an active training center in Florida. I look forward to contributing to the success and growth of both facilities.”

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Goffs Appoints West As New U.S. Agent

Jacob West has been appointed U.S. agent for Goffs and will commence his new role on April 1.

A Kentucky native, West is one of the rising stars of the American bloodstock world, having started out with top U.S. consignor Taylor Made Sales Agency as a groom in their yearling division and progressing through the ranks to manager. During his time at Taylor Made, he worked under trainer Chad Brown at the Gulfstream Championship Meeting.

West then joined Three Chimneys Farm as director of bloodstock services before taking up his current role as vice president of bloodstock with leading U.S. horse racing partnership, Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners, the brainchild of Aron Wellman and Brian Spearman. In 2017, he launched his own bloodstock agency, West Bloodstock, which acts for a number of leading U.S. buyers.

Commenting on the appointment, Goffs Group chief executive, Henry Beeby said:

“We are delighted to welcome Jacob to the Goffs Team. Alongside his role at Eclipse, he is the perfect fit for us and comes with the ringing endorsement of several industry leaders. He has a superb reputation for integrity, passion, hard work and a love of the Thoroughbred, all qualities that chime perfectly with the ethos of Goffs. We look forward to working with him as we promote our sales to buyers in the U.S.

“At the same time, we would like to acknowledge the contribution of Gatewood Bell over the last number of years and wish him the very best of luck in his new role with Keeneland.”

West added:

“Goffs has an outstanding reputation for producing top class results year after year. I firmly believe the horses on offer at Goffs have international appeal, and I look forward to bringing as many people as I can over to Ireland to see for themselves. I am delighted to be associated with such a top-level organization as Goffs.”

Jacob's first task for Goffs will be to highlight the quality and value regularly provided at the Goffs Orby Sale, one of Europe's premier yearling sales and source of the likes of recent multiple U.S. Grade 1 winner Raging Bull.

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Timm Named Executive Director Of Don Alberto Corp.

Don Alberto Corp. announced today that Chance Timm has been named executive director effective March 1, 2021.

With over 100 broodmares, Don Alberto, which is based in Lexington, Ky., was a top 15 breeder nationally last year.

Timm succeeds Fabricio Buffolo who has been the executive director for the past four years. Buffolo, originally from Brazil, will return to his home country to be closer to his family while continuing his career in the Thoroughbred industry.

“I look forward to Chance leading our progression as one of the top breeding and racing organizations in North America. Although I am sad to see Fabricio go, I am very thankful for his hard work which has led us to where we are today,” said Carlos Heller on behalf of the Heller Solari family.

Beginning with the purchase of the former Vinery Stud in 2013, Don Alberto has subsequently expanded to occupy 1,300 acres and has positioned itself as an active breeder at the top of the bloodstock market. In addition to racing two-time champion Unique Bella among other graded stakes winners, Don Alberto has bred and sold multiple million-dollar yearlings.

“I want to personally thank Carlos and Ms. Liliana for this incredible opportunity and for understanding my desire to be closer to my family. I'm very proud of what we've accomplished and have no doubt Don Alberto will continue to ascend the ranks of the industry,” said Fabricio Buffolo.

Originally from Murray, Utah, Timm has over 14 years experience in the Thoroughbred industry. He has been with Lane's End Farm since 2014 as the director of stallion seasons and shares, where he has also had an active role in their sales consignment.

“Don Alberto has established itself as a major force in the worldwide Thoroughbred industry,” said Chance Timm. “I am confident that our team will further that success in the coming years and am very grateful for the opportunity to be a part of it. I'd like to thank Bill Farish and everyone at Lane's End; it has been a privilege to work at such a distinguished farm.”

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