About Us

Ashford Stud, in the heart of Kentucky’s famous Bluegrass, is home to Coolmore America. When Ashford first opened its doors for the 1982 breeding season the stallion roster was headlined by Storm Bird, the highest rated two-year-old in Europe in 1980. Among the resident mares was Terlingua. Her mating to Storm Bird that year would have a lasting impact on thoroughbred breeding worldwide through the exploits of their prolific son Storm Cat. 1996 marked the retirement of Kentucky Derby winner Thunder Gulch, who is out of a daughter of Storm Bird. Thunder Gulch would soon gain the distinction of being the first Champion Sire to stand at Ashford when he topped the general sires list in 2001.

In the meantime, Giant’s Causeway notched up three Champion Sire titles; only the fifth sire to do so since 1941 following luminaries Bull Lea, Nasrullah, Bold Ruler and Danzig. The 2YO Sires table has been topped by Ashford sires Woodman (twice), Hennessy, Tale Of The Cat, Giant’s Causeway (twice), Uncle Mo, Scat Daddy and his Triple Crown-winning son Justify. The latter has made a truly outstanding start to his stud career alongside the only other living Triple Crown winner American Pharoah.

A quartet of Grade 1 winners in the shape of Corniche, Epicenter, Golden Pal and Jack Christopher all saw their first yearlings extremely well received this summer and fall while ace sprinter Gunite will be represented by his first weanlings at the upcoming sales.

Domestic Product joined his sire Practical Joke on the roster for 2025 having mirrored that horse’s sophomore career with victories in both the H. Allen Jerkens and the Dwyer Stakes.

All in all, we think it’s safe to say Ashford’s iconic stallion barns will continue to house influential breed shapers for years to come.