Caviart Farms opens Kentucky nursery

November 19, 2007

Caviart Farms� new 230-acre breeding and boarding facility, located in Kentucky's Bluegrass farm country is open and welcoming outside mares, according to owners Buck and Judy Chaffee.

Located on Winchester Road between Lexington and Paris, Ky., the property was purchased in June. Since then professionals in farm design and construction have been busy transforming the former cattle farm into a state-of-the-art breeding facility. Miles of new fencing afford spacious fields and paddocks, and two barns have been fully restored and renovated with enhanced ventilation, additional natural lighting and all new stalls.

"Simply stated, this is a modern breeding farm that provides complete services for broodmares and foals � and we expect to stand stallions in the future,� said Buck Chaffee. �Our plan all along has been to provide comprehensive services in an environment where every horse has the best possible shot at becoming a champion.

Kentucky Derby winner Spend A Buck was raised on the farm. Next door is Stone Farm, which has produced millionaire Thoroughbreds Gato Del Sol, Sunday Silence, Menifee and Fusaichi Pegasus. Claiborne Farms, where Secretariat lived, is just down the road.

Chaffee explained that his family spent months researching and looking for a property �with the gently rolling fields, mineral-rich soils and pure well water that we believe contribute to building strong bones. Old-time horsemen thought that horses raised on limestone-rich soils had the best shot at success. We believe that those astute horsemen were correct. But we also wanted the benefit of current scientific information � so we brought in University of Kentucky field management experts who analyzed soils and plants. Based on the results of that study, they told us that our farm is among the best-soiled farms that they have tested. They also authored a long-term plan which addresses each of our individual fields and ensures the very best nutrition for horses in those fields.�

Coinciding with the Caviart Farms opening is the appointment of Chaffee�s son, Terry, as resident farm manager. He's a fourth generation horseman and a graduate of Marymount University. Assistant manager Joel Kenimer is a University of Kentucky graduate whose family breeds Thoroughbred horses.

Caviart Farms has completed the transitioning of their mares to the new Kentucky farm, including 2006 Matron winner Caviart Sydney ($444,787 at ages two and three), in foal to Rocknroll Hanover, and her dam, multiple-stakes winner Caviart Sierra, in foal to Dragon Again. (Caviart Farms press release)

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