Sierra Ranch’s longtime ranch manager, Michael Callanan, sent his last horse under the name Sierra Ranch via the exchange on January 11. The deposit of eight horses was part of the methodology. Step-by-step approach to herd reduction for owner Sharon Hudon.
“Yesterday, Sierra Ranch sent its last horse to go under the banner at the January All Ages Horse Sale in Keeneland. As of March 31, Detined Stud – Matt Dorman and Scott Mallory – will be in charge. farm ownership,” said Callanan Jan. 12. “We did this in stages. First, we wanted to sell the farm; second, we needed to get Sharon into a new home (which hasn’t happened yet), and lastly the animals. horse.”
Sierra’s remaining flock of seven mother hens and 15 chicks will be transferred to Callanan’s father-in-law Bruce Gibbs at Greenfield Farm, where Callanan will stay. Future plans will be to reconnect with Sharon in August, ahead of the November sale of this year. All crested birds will be sold at Keeneland’s September Anniversary Sale with Greenfield.
“Trying to ease the stress on Sharon, we did this in stages, but there was no pressure on her to sell anything. She was in her 70s,” commented Callanan. “Sharon and Ed first entered the race before buying a mare and going up to play with Brooke Royster at Chance Ranch. The Hudons have invested a lot of money on the ranch.”
Hudons purchased the 206-acre Chance Ranch on Horeb Pike Mountain in Lexington from Royster when he moved to Virginia in 2006. Callanan has been an employee since 2008.
Yes, this is it for the Sierra Ranch shipment @keenelandsales . Hip #350 Stormin Hot was bought by our good friend @patparamount & is the last horse we sell as a ranch. We cannot thank everyone who has supported us over the years and we hope that continues in the years to come. pic.twitter.com/z4SZFo3DwO
– Sierra Farm (@sierrafarmky) January 12, 2022
Ed passed away in 2018. Sharon continues to make a name for herself, but now at 70, this is the next step for the ranch.
Callanan added: “We’ve raised a lot of beautiful horses off the farm. Sharon is a smart person and loves this business, but a lot is happening in her life, and she has to. Collapse some of this and take the stress out of yourself a little bit.”
In 2018, Sierra Farm sent American pharoah colt out Bsharpsonata , now named Kittansett , through the ring at the wildly successful September sale at Keeneland, with Larry Best’s OXO Equine acquiring the coveted ring for $1.4 million.
“It’s a lot easier when you get two bills a month from vets and boarding farms than it is to pay wages, insurance, and workers,” says Callanan.
Regarding his position, “I’m not sure (long or short); right now my first duty is to take care of Sharon and the horses until March 31 when the ranch changes hands. After the horses. the horses moved to Greenfield, I’ll still take care of them,” commented Callanan. “I’ve offered to help Matt and Scott make the transition easy, we have a great team at Sierra, and they all want to stay. No matter what happens, we’re here to stay. is fine.
“What’s important to Ed is his aluminum factory in California; that’s how he goes and makes money. His most important thing is to hire the best people and you always take care of his employees. He did the same thing with the Horses. Our staff, I wouldn’t compare them to anyone. They’ve all been there for over 10 years and are all great people, and we wanted to. take care of them after it’s over.”
