WinStar Farm announced Oct. 19 key management moves for 2024—among them, current general manager David Hanley becoming the farm’s senior bloodstock consultant. This role focuses mainly on bloodstock, matings and the development of young horses.
“David is a critical part of our team that helps us with developing our bloodstock and the purchasing of our equine athletes at sales. This role will give David the opportunity to see more horses off the farm, while still keeping his eye on our young stock at home,” said Elliott Walden, president and CEO of WinStar. Farm
Hanley took over the general manager duties in 2013 and has helped the farm grow to a band of over 150 quality broodmares, 18 stallions, and racing stock like Triple Crown winner Justify and the grade 1-winning Life is Good . WinStar Farm was awarded an Eclipse award as outstanding breeder in 2016 and 2020 under Hanley’s guidance.
Dr. Natanya Nieman will take on the role of general manager, while she continues her duties as resident vet.
“I am excited for Natanya to expand her opportunities here at WinStar. She is a very good horsewoman and having David as a mentor for the foreseeable future will give her the expertise needed to continue to grow here at WinStar,” Walden said. “While she has always been responsible for our horses through her expert veterinary care, Natanya can grow into a top general manager while learning from one of the best.”
On the administrative team, Jack Mullikin will be retiring as chief financial offer at year’s end, and Michael Holmes will be WinStar’s new chief financial officer. Mullikin came to work at WinStar in the first year after a stellar career at Castleton Farm, a top standardbred nursery in Kentucky. He has been at WinStar and has seen the farm grow from 415 acres in the beginning to one of the largest farms in the region with over 2,400 acres.
“We will miss Jack tremendously here at the farm. His loyalty and dedication to WinStar have helped make the farm what it is today. He has mentored Michael over the last nine years, and we are blessed to welcome Michael onto our executive team. He will hit the ground running and do a great job. The future is bright here at WinStar.”
These transitions will take place at the end of 2023.
This press release has been edited for content and style by BloodHorse Staff.
