UofL Equine program honors Spendthrift Farm owner

The University of Louisville College of Business Equine Industry Program has named Spendthrift Farm owner B. Wayne Hughes the winner of the 2019 John W. Galbreath Award for Outstanding Entrepreneurship in the Equine Industry.

Always looking for ways to inspire new interest in the equine business, Hughes has created popular programs to encourage horse ownership and breeding. He is co-founder of the international self-storage company, Public Storage.

“B. Wayne Hughes helped shift the breeding industry paradigm significantly in the last decade,” said Sean Beirne, director of the equine program. “He has not been afraid to rethink and experiment to lead the industry in a new direction.”

The Galbreath Award has been given annually since 1990 to honor entrepreneurial leadership that has had a significant and positive impact on the equine industry. Galbreath was the visionary owner of Darby Dan Farm in Lexington and a former Churchill Downs chairman who distinguished himself as both a businessman and a horseman.

“Thoroughbred horse racing has been a tremendous passion of mine ever since my father took me to the races as a young boy. It’s something he and I got to share together, and I’ve been fortunate to be able to make it a large part of my life and share it with so many that are dear to me,” Hughes said. “There are few thrills greater than what horse racing can provide, and it is our responsibility to do a better job of improving this great sport so that future generations can enjoy it as much as John Galbreath did and as much as I have.”

This award is named for the late John W. Galbreath, a self-made man who distinguished himself in both business and also as a horseman. Born in Derby, Ohio, he built a small local firm into an international real-estate project-development company. His interests included the Pittsburgh Pirates baseball team and Darby Dan Farm, a thoroughbred breeding and racing enterprise that won stakes races on three continents. He also served for many years as chairman of Churchill Downs.

Galbreath was the first ever to breed and race Kentucky Derby winners (Chateaugay and Proud Clarion) and an English (Epsom) Derby winner (Roberto). He received Eclipse Awards as racing’s “Man of the Year” in 1972 and as the country’s outstanding breeder in 1974. Galbreath was heavily involved in importing top Thoroughbred stallions from overseas, and among his selections were Ribot and Sea- Bird II.

A dinner and award presentation are scheduled for March 2 at the PNC Club in UofL’s Cardinal Stadium. For further information, email equine@louisville.edu.