Dixiana Farm

Nitrogen (Medaglia d'Oro), fresh off an Eclipse Award-winning season in 2025, opened her 4-year-old campaign with a win in the Feb. 7 GIII Bayakoa Stakes--a victory trainer Mark Casse called "the best race she's ever run." Things didn't go quite as well when the filly faded to third in the Mar. 7 over a sloppy Oaklawn surface in the GII Azeri Stakes, but she will look to get back on track when she returns in the GI Apple Blossom Handicap Saturday at Oaklawn Park. She is the 9-5 morning-line favorite...

As expected, Gulfstream's loaded Fountain of Youth card provides fast fillies--but topping this week's list is a breakout performance at Turfway Park. 5. WITH THE ANGELS, AQU, 3/1, Correction Stakes, 6 furlongs Beyer Speed Figure- 93, 'TDN Rising Star, presented by Hagyard'. (f, 4, by Omaha Beach--Sister Margaret, by Pulpit) O-Winning Move Stable, John Oxley, Sheila Stable, Silverwood Stables and Sanford Robbins. B-Joseph DeRico (NY). T-Linda Rice. J-Jose Lezcano. Rice says With the Angels "never makes a wrong move," and after demoralizing her New York-bred competition last summer and fall,...

The Keeneland November Breeding Stock Sale, which continued straight on from the strength of the company's record-setting September Yearling Sale, concluded its eight-day run Tuesday with new highwater marks for average and median and the auction's highest gross since 2007. "This year marked a watershed moment for Keeneland Sales," said Keeneland President and CEO Shannon Arvin. "From a record-shattering September Yearling Sale that topped $500 million in gross sales to the continued momentum into an outstanding November Breeding Stock Sale, the confidence in this marketplace has never been stronger. These...

$3.7-Million Lush Lips Tops Book 1 by Jessica Martini, Christina Bossinakis, & Alan Carasso LEXINGTON, KY - The Keeneland November Breeding Stock Sale blitzed through its opening session Tuesday with 17 offerings--including a pair of weanlings--selling for $1 million or more and figures up dramatically from the auction's Book 1 session in 2024. "It was a really strong day," said Keeneland President Shannon Arvin. "The broodmare market was very, very strong. We had 15 who brought $1 million or more, seven of those brought $2 million or more. The weanling...

Lush Lips (GB) (f, 3, Ten Sovereigns {Ire}--Lamyaa {GB}, by Arcano {Ire}), winner of last month's GI Queen Elizabeth II Challenge Cup S. at Keeneland, brought a sale-leading $3.7 million from Dixiana Farm at Keeneland November Tuesday. Lush Lips (Hip 129), campaigned in partnership by Medallion Racing, Parkland Thoroughbreds, Hoffman Thoroughbreds, LLC, Mrs. Paul Shanahan and Mrs. M. V. Magnier and trained by Brendan Walsh, was consigned as a racing/broodmare prospect by Taylor Made Sales Agency, Agent CLXXXIX. Lush Lips was an £82,000 yearling purchase by Avenue Bloodstock, Medallion Racing,...

by Jessica Martini, Christina Bossinakis, and Jill Williams LEXINGTON, KY -The only thing that could slow down the momentum of the Keeneland September Yearling Sale was a brief interruption in Wednesday's action when the fire alarms late in the day caused the evacuation of the pavilion. "We joked in the back ring the market was so hot, it set the fire alarms off," Keeneland's Vice President of Sales Tony Lacy said with a chuckle after the dust had settled on another competitive day of bidding at the first of two...

Spendthrift's first-crop yearling sire Jackie's Warrior cracked the seven-figure barrier Wednesday at the Keeneland September sale when a bay colt out of the placed Taking Aim (Trappe Shot) sold for $1.3 million to West Bloodstock, agent for Robert and Lawana Low. A half-brother to GSW Taking Candy (Twirling Candy), while his dam is a half to GI Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile winner Tapizar (Tapit), hip 546 was bred by Dixiana Farms and consigned by Woods Edge Farm, agent. He had previously gone through the Keeneland November ring for $385,000 when...

For me personally, what a weird coincidence that earlier this week, TDN published a wonderful essay by its columnist Chris McGrath, who spent time with three of the industry's "elder statesman," among them Ercel Ellis. For it was Ellis who, 40 years ago this coming week, made a decision that altered the course of my life. McGrath obviously had a wonderful time at Lil's Coffee House in Paris, Ky., listening to the yarns spun by Ellis, now 92, renowned veterinarian Bob Copelan (97), and the youngster of the trio, Stone...

He's such a fixture here, he's even on the sandwich menu. Here you go: the Copelan, grilled cheddar and onion on pumpernickel. True, that only makes Dr. Robert Copelan an institution within an institution. Lunch at Lil's Coffee House on Main Street is a ritual cherished by many other horse folk in the neighborhood of Paris, Kentucky. But it's certainly a joy, for all of them, to see the great veterinarian seated alongside veteran radio host Ercel Ellis Jr., at their usual table in the corner, exchanging wit and wisdom...

The TDN's popular annual series 'Mating Plans, presented by Spendthrift,' continues today in a conversation with Robert Tillyer, farm manager of William and Donna Shively's Dixiana Farm. AMERICA'S TALE (9, Gio Ponti - America's Friend, by Unusual Heat) to be bred to Taiba She's in foal to Jackie's Warrior and she's a Grade II winner. We thought Taiba was good value. He's a very attractive son of Gun Runner that won three Grade I races. DIAMOND WOW (5, Lookin At Lucky - Patriotic Diamond, by Hat Trick {Jpn}) to be...

Jockey Luan Machado, trainer Brad Cox and owner Dixiana Farms were leaders in their respective divisions at Turfway Park's 20-day Holiday Meet which concluded Saturday night. Machado had 21 wins from 98 mounts (21%) to earn his third leading rider title at Florence, Kentucky oval. His previous titles came at the 2019 Winter/Spring Meet and 2018 Holiday Meet. Machado was followed in the standings by apprentice rider Axel Concepcion who had 19 wins. The Holiday Meet was Cox's second leading trainer title at Turfway. His barn, which is represented locally...

As we approach the opening of the 2023 breeding season, the TDN staff is once again sitting down with leading breeders to find out what stallions they have chosen for their mares, and why. Today we caught up with Robert Tillyer, farm manager of William and Donna Shively's Dixiana Farm. HAVANA DREAM (m, 10, Quality Road - Mayo On the Side, by French Deputy) to be bred to Constitution This stakes-placed mare is carrying her third foal by Yaupon. She is from the family of MGSW Midcourt (Midnight Lute) and...