Winstar Team
Kenny Troutt
Owner of WinStar Farm, LLC
Owner

Kenny Troutt Mr. Troutt is a native of Mt. Vernon, Illinois and was first introduced to horseracing by his uncle in the summer of 1965. The thrill of the races, the intensity and excitement enthralled him. While in college, he frequented the races at Churchill Downs and was present when legendary horses Secretariat and Riva Ridge captured the Kentucky Derby. After graduating from Southern Illinois University, the aspiring horseman and entrepreneur continued to follow his passions. He established his first horse farm, Landview, in Eastern Nebraska in the early 1980’s.

In 1988, he founded Excel Communications, a long-distance telephone service company which integrated the growing demand for telecommunications service with the power of relationship marketing. As Founder and Chairman of Excel, his innovative business and marketing strategies resulted in the meteoric rise of the corporation and its subsequent success as a publicly traded enterprise in 1996.

When the opportunity to purchase Prestonwood, a 400-acre farm located in the heart of the Bluegrass, presented itself in 2000, Mr. Troutt, along with longtime friend and business partner Bill Casner, seized the opportunity. WinStar Farm was established and Mr. Troutt set out to make WinStar one of the best Thoroughbred breeding and racing operations in the world.

Today, thanks to Mr. Troutt’s energy, enthusiasm and leadership, WinStar is thriving. The farm comprises more than 2,700 acres and is home to a star-studded roster of stallions, spearheaded by the likes of perennial leading sires Tiznow, Distorted Humor, More Than Ready, Congrats, and Speightstown, and promising young stallions Constitution and Audible, just to name a few.

WinStar has experienced awe-inspiring success in all facets of the industry, including winning some of the most coveted Thoroughbred races in the world—the Kentucky Derby (G1) in 2018 with Justify and in 2010 with Super Saver; the Preakness S. (G1) in 2018 with Justify; the Belmont S. (G1) in 2018 with Justify, in 2016 with Creator, and in 2010 with Drosselmeyer; the 2011 Breeders’ Cup Classic (G1) with Drosselmeyer; the Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile (G1) in 2017 with Battle of Midway, and the Breeders’ Cup Mile (G1) in 2016 with Tourist.

In 2018, along with partners China Horse Club, Starlight Racing, and Head of Plains Partners, WinStar made even more history, campaigning undefeated Triple Crown winner Justify. The colt’s breathtaking run through that year’s Kentucky Derby, Preakness S. and Belmont S. forever etched his name in the record books as racing’s 13th Triple Crown winner, joining such legends as Secretariat, Citation, Seattle Slew, War Admiral, and Whirlaway. At the end of the memorable season, Justify was honored as Horse of the Year and Champion 3-Year-Old Male for his remarkable accomplishments and retired to stud with earnings of nearly $4 million.

WinStar’s far-reaching achievements also include an Eclipse Award in 2016 as North America’s Outstanding breeder. WinStar regularly ranks among the Top 10 North American breeders and has been in the Top Five by earnings each year since 2014. WinStar topped all breeders in 2018 with $8.6 million in earnings.

Mr. Troutt resides in Dallas, TX with his wife Lisa and their three children.

Senior Leadership Team
Elliott Walden
President/CEO & Racing Manager
Michael Holmes
Chief Financial Officer
David Hanley
Senior Vice President/Bloodstock Services
Natanya Nieman D.V.M.
GM and Resident Veterinarian
Management Team
Gerry Davis
Farm Operations Manager
Larry McGinnis
Stallion Manager
Tim Fazio
Broodmare Manager
Terry Arnold
Rehabilitation and Breaking Manager
Amy Nave
Office Manager and Executive Assistant to President, Elliott Walden
Donnie Preston
Yearling Manager
Neal McLaughlin
Farm Trainer
Bloodstock Team
Liam O’Rourke
Director of Bloodstock Services

Email: lorourke@winstarfarm.com
Cell: (859) 351-4213

Olivia Desch
Stallion Season Sales & Marketing

Email: odesch@winstarfarm.com
Cell: (513) 659-0217

Ben Hanley
Stallion Season Sales

Email: bhanley@winstarfarm.com
Cell: (859) 753-2777

Mary Paige Lacy
Experience Director & Bloodstock Assistant

Email: mlacy@winstarfarm.com
Cell: (859) 317-1733

Administration Team
Rhonda Allen
Controller
Ronda Clifton
Equine Operations Coordinator & IT
Molly Petrey SPHR, SHRM-SCP, GPHR
Human Resources Director
Ashley Tackett
Accounts Payables/Receivables
Brittney Skoien
Equine Operations Assistant
Katie Regester
Equine Operations Assistant
Casey Hammond
Equine Records & A/R
Paige Smith
Client Relations & Equine Operations Asst.
Ann Hayes
Employee Liaison
Jake Davis
Quality Control and Farm Safety Supervisor