Two sales, six phenomenal individuals, each sporting tremendous pedigrees and unlimited potential. The Centennial Farms Acquisition Team combed through Fasig-Tipton’s Selected Yearling Showcase and the elite book one of Keeneland’s September Yearling Sale to assemble a group of can’t-miss prospects. We are thrilled to offer them as two separate partnership opportunities. The 2020 Unified, LLC includes a son and a daughter from the first crop of our retired star, Unified. Sons of elite sires Gun Runner, Honor Code, Nyquist, and Street Sense comprise the 2020 Topsfield, LLC, with some of the world’s most coveted families represented. Learn more about all six yearlings and please contact us for details.
During uncertain times, mighty Mihos provided a much-appreciated boost with a sparkling victory at Gulfstream Park. The talented colt returned to the races off of a layoff with a solid third-place performance last month. With that effort under his belt, the stakes winner was able to capitalize, burying a strong allowance field by 3 1/4-lengths under Tyler Gaffalione. It’s an absolute delight to see Mihos back to his best form – the result of plenty of hard work by the team in Middleburg, the Jerkens barn, Dr. Carr, and plenty of patience from his phenomenal partners.
The Centennial Farms record of placing stallions at stud continues to get gaudier! Candygram has joined the roster at Taylor Mountain Farm in West Virginia. Taylor Mountain has long been one of the leading farms in the state and is located not far from our Middleburg base. Centennial fan-favorite Juba joined the roster at the conclusion of his racing career in 2016 – his first crop hits the races this year. Candygram’s looks, talent, and pedigree make him an exciting addition to the region and we look forward to watching him capitalize on his opportunities.
Centennial Farms is proud to once again be sponsoring the Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance Best Turned Out Horse Awards during the Pegasus World Cup Invitational Card Jan. 25, 2020 at Gulfstream Park. Spotlighting the hard-working grooms who devote their time to these magnificent athletes while raising awareness for a phenomenal organization is a perfect combination that we couldn’t be more honored to be involved with. Learn more about what the day entails and the TAA.
Making his sophomore and turf debut, Life On Top was dismissed at 45-1 by those betting… and rewarded the believers handsomely! The game colt, guided to victory perfectly by Rajiv Maragh, gave our partners their first victory of the new year with our very first starter.
Grade 1 winner and millionaire Preservationist has retired to Airdrie Stud in Midway, Kentucky. His sparkling pedigree, desirable conformation, and world-class talent make him a thoroughly exciting stallion prospect. Centennial Farms has placed over fifteen stallions at some of the most prestigious farms in the world. We are endlessly grateful to his partners, Paula Parsons and the Middleburg team, Jimmy Jerkens and his entire staff (including Preservationist’s longtime groom Junior McFarlane), Dr. Carr, and everyone else who had a hand in fostering this remarkable horse. We can’t wait to watch Preservationist develop in to one of the nation’s leading sires!
Preservationist’s last morning at Belmont Park
The Centennial Farms acquisition team took the Keeneland September Sale by storm, adding four exciting colts to the roster from the prestigious sale. The quartet’s sires need no introduction – Triple Crown winner American Pharoah, aptly named Belmont Stakes winner Empire Maker, brilliant multiple G1 winner Frosted, and Breeders’ Cup/Kentucky Derby victor Nyquist. Learn more about the superstar group and contact us to get involved!
Heart, class, talent, guts. A horse like this is the kind you dream of each day in this sport.
Expertise, loyalty, patience. People like these are the kind you work to surround yourself with.
Pure joy. Moments like this are what happens when it all comes together.
Preservationist put forth a phenomenal effort to become a Grade 1 winner, forcing his way through traffic to take the prestigious Woodward at Saratoga Race Course. The six-year-old’s success at the highest level is the result of considerable horsemanship by the team in Middleburg and the Jimmy Jerkens barn coupled with patience by his partners, who understood the value of putting the horse first. Expertly piloted by Junior Alvardo, Preservationist confirmed his standing as one of the nation’s top older horses with a victory over a field that included the race’s defending champ and two subsequent G1 winners.
Read More
BloodHorse – “Preservationist Prevails in Woodward”
Daily Gazette – “Preservationist on best behavior in Woodward”
Daily Racing Form – “Preservationist breaks through in gutsy Woodward win”
NYRA – “Preservationist’s stretch-drive surge caps thrilling finish in G1 Woodward presented by NYRA Bets”
Saratoga Special – “Long Road – Preservationist Lands Woodward”
Thoroughbred Daily News – “Preservationist All Heart in the Woodward“
A mini rainbow appears as the Saratoga crowd applauds for a big performance from @Centennial_Farm’s Preservationist! What a race #Woodward @NYRABets pic.twitter.com/ZbF1QjZDUb
— NYRA (@TheNYRA) August 31, 2019
Go Preservationist go!!!!! So so proud of this horse!! https://t.co/VbRzJ4XeB6
— Jordyn Wells (@jordynwells94) August 31, 2019
That was a wing-ding of a Woodward at Saratoga. Nice to see the patience of @J_JerkensRacing rewarded with first G1 win for Preservationist, 6yo horse by Arch. Gutsy ride by @Juniorjockey and congrats to Don Little and the @Centennial_Farm partners. Longshot Bal Harbour second.
— Ray Paulick (@raypaulick) August 31, 2019
Great win for @J_JerkensRacing and @Centennial_Farm as @Juniorjockey gives Preservationist a sensational ride to win the Woodward. Congrats all around
— Andy Serling (@andyserling) August 31, 2019
What a horse he is how lucky am I ??….. Baby Preservationist learning the ropes way back when In Middleburg VA @Centennial_Farm @Peter_Horvitz @MargaretOMeara1 @DocShirlJ @J_JerkensRacing @SPNnation74 pic.twitter.com/BEelGGOXd5
— Aoife Brazil (@bbrazila) September 1, 2019
Was sitting in front of the Preservationist contingent for the Woodward (gratuitous seat location drop), but in all seriousness, they had at least 6 boxes, and the screams they let out went further than dollars and cents. Real cool. @Centennial_Farm @J_JerkensRacing @Juniorjockey
— Kevin Cox (@brooklyncowboy1) September 1, 2019
So happy to see all the attention and love given to Preservationist, @Centennial_Farm and @J_JerkensRacing for yesterday. Their accomplishments stand on their own, but I like to think I had a hand in increasing their fanbase over the years.
— Juba (the Gray) (@Jubacolt) September 1, 2019
Preservationist’s win in the Woodward Stakes is our @SentientJet Perfect Trip of the Week! Take a look back at yesterday’s performance. pic.twitter.com/p4IHLX6KZa
— TVG (@TVG) September 1, 2019
That was one helluva ride by @Juniorjockey on Preservationist and a great training job by @J_JerkensRacing winning the Woodward for top stable @Centennial_Farm. Very brave performance muscling his way between horses in deep stretch. That’s what racing is all about!
— Richard Migliore (@RichardMigliore) August 31, 2019
Preservationist does it! Congrats to @Centennial_Farm, @Juniorjockey and Jimmy Jerkens for their spectacular score in the Woodward Stakes @TheNYRA. pic.twitter.com/0Cz95PhYgI
— America’sBestRacing (@ABRLive) August 31, 2019
Preservationist, ridden by @Juniorjockey and trained by Jimmy Jerkens, wins the 66th running of the Woodward Grade I Stakes #SaratogaRaceCourse #Saratoga @Centennial_Farm pic.twitter.com/jn4CAvNxcw
— Erica Miller (@EricaPhotog) August 31, 2019
It took until nearly the end of the catalogue, but the latest member of the Centennial Farms roster is on exciting prospect! The acquisition team zeroed in on the best-of-the-best in the prestigious Fasig-Tipton Saratoga Sale, allowing us to procure a stunning son of Candy Ride. Learn more about the Big Red Spring, LLC and contact us to join the fun.
Surrounded by graded stakes winners, Candygram made his stakes debut in Belmont Park’s State Dinner Stakes to close out our thrilling spring/summer meet in Elmont. The colt found himself in tough – every other member of the field had already scored in elite company. Undeterred, he acquitted himself well with a runner-up effort after being hung wide. The second place finish added important black-type to his record.