About Us
Ashford Stud, in the heart of Kentucky’s famous Bluegrass, is home to Coolmore America.
When Ashford 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 whose mating to Storm Bird would have a lasting impact on thoroughbred breeding worldwide through the influence of their prolific son Storm Cat.
The Early Years
In 1996, the Kentucky Derby-winning Thunder Gulch, out of a daughter of Storm Bird, retired to stud.
He would go on to become the first Champion Sire to stand at Ashford when he topped the general sires list in 2001.
Home of Champions
Meanwhile, 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 already siring the winners of all three of Britain’s colts’ Classics.
Future Stars
Coolmore America’s commitment to excellence continues with three Breeders’ Cup and Eclipse Award winners joining the roster for 2026 in the shape of Sierra Leone, Fierceness and Citizen Bull.
