A Changing of the Guard at Denali

After 30 years at the helm of Denali Stud, its founders, Craig and Holly Bandoroff are starting to slow down and hand the reins over to their son, Conrad. Kelsey Riley catches up with the family.

The story goes that Bandoroff was bitten by the 'horse bug' after making friends as a kid whose father was a jockey, but he insists he was “born with a gene that I love horses.” It is apparent Bandoroff has passed that gene to his 28-year-old son and middle child Conrad who-in the 30th anniversary year of the family's Denali Stud-is well on his way to taking over management and leading the business into its next phases.

Craig Bandoroff and his wife Holly have certainly set a lofty standard. The farm sold its first million-dollar mare in 1998 at Keeneland November and the results have continued apace. Today, Denali Stud has raised or sold 35 Grade I winners and its consignment has brought in over $650-million, including 55 seven-figure horses. The Bandoroffs managed the broodmare career of Hall of Famer Serena's Song (Rahy), and the 28-year-old resides to this day at Denali alongside three daughters and one granddaughter. They raised and co-owned 2011 GI Kentucky Derby winner Animal Kingdom (Leroidesanimaux {Brz}), and celebrated two winners of the GI Belmont S. within three years in 2017 and 2019 in Tapwrit (Tapit) and Sir Winston (Awesome Again).

Craig and Holly Bandoroff have summitted the highest peaks of the sport. But as such things go, the path wasn't always straightforward, and it certainly wasn't easy. It took heavy doses of hard work, dedication and determination to get to-and stay at- the top.

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