Skip to content

Touring the Bluegrass - Willowbank Farm



On Friday April 18, Saddle Horse Report toured Willowbank Farm in Simpsonville, Kentucky to promote the new breeders’ tools at SaddleHorseReport.com.

Willowbank stands some of the biggest names in the Saddlebred breeding business under the watchful eye of Joan Lurie. The list includes Ocean's Roar, by Adriatic; Callaway's Main Man, a Caramac son out of a Stonewall's Main Event mare; Samur, a cross of Roseridge Heir and a Worthy Son mare; Finally Attached, by Attache and out of a Grape Tree's Fox mare; Thundergun, the heir apparent to his sire, Attache's Thunderbolt out of a CH Captive Spirit dam; and Seaforth's Billion Heir, the Supreme Heir heir. Billion Heir is out of CH Rejoice, making his bottom line one of the most storied in recent Saddlebred history.

And then there are the two "celebrity stallions" of the past few years, Sir William Robert and Undulata's Nutcracker. Both possess limitless athletic talent and beauty and are throwing those attributes consistently to their offspring. Sir William Robert is by CH Santana's Charm and out of Rebel Empress, by CH Heir To Champagne. Undulata's Nutcracker is by CH Caramac and out of Christmas In New York ERB by The New York Times.

Here are a few of the pictures from a beautiful day at Willowbank.


The scene at the entrance to Willowbank Farm.


Mares and foals enjoy the sun in a picturesque setting.


Rosey, an Australian Rose-Breasted Cockatoo and the unofficial mascot of Willowbank Farm.


The final resting place of Supreme Heir, one of the most influential stallions in Saddlebred history.

More Stories

  • World’s Championship Horse Show Adds New Classes and Additional Prize Money

    The Kentucky State Fair Board, owner and operator of the World’s Championship Horse Show, announced today the addition of two new classes and changes to 16 classes for the 2024 show. The Kentucky State Fair Board fully funded these new classes, and winners will be bestowed World’s Champion titles. Read More
  • Applications Are Now Open For Two Scholarships Offered By The UPHA Foundation

    The United Professional Horsemen's Association (UPHA) provides scholarships for high school seniors or freshmen in college who represent the show horse breeds! The scholarships are awarded based on the applicant's merits, including their high school or college transcripts, resume, extracurricular activities, community involvement, and personal references. Read More
  • ASHBA Futurities, Sweepstakes, and Breeders Challenge Classes Move to the All American Horse Classic in Indianapolis for 2024

    The American Saddlebred Horse and Breeders Association (ASHBA) announced today it will move its young horse prize programs—the National Futurity, National Amateur Futurity, Four-Year-Old Sweepstakes, and Breeders Challenge—to Indianapolis for 2024 in conjunction with the All American Horse Classic (AAHC) the second week of September. Read More
  • FoalsNFocus – Week 4

    Here we are with another round of #foalsNfocus and a great variety of photos were submitted. Champion honors this week went to a shot submitted by Leah Borders for owner/breederAmos Fisher. This proud filly is by Newmont’s Roosevelt out of Finding Dory. Read More
  • Latest Issue 4 22 24

    Read More
  • Walk of Honor Expansion Announced

    The American Saddlebred Museum is pleased to announce the expansion of the Museum’s Walk of Honor. This is a great way to honor someone for their contributions and dedication to the American Saddlebred. Read More
  • Professional Advisory Committee Named to Equine Sports Council

    Equine Sports Council is honored to announce its Professional Advisory Committee (PAC) comprised of representatives who are industry leaders in the American Saddlebred, Morgan and Hackney breeds.  Read More
  • Latest Issue 4 15 24

    Read More
  • Kentucky State Fair Update

    The American Saddlebred Horse and Breeders Association (ASHBA) received a letter from the Kentucky State Fair Board (KSFB) yesterday acknowledging that they would not be pursuing a path that would allow them to hold the ASHBA Prize Program classes at the Kentucky State Fair Horse Show in 2024.  Read More
  • FoalsNFocus – Week 3

    We’re in full swing as entries for our weekly contest are being submitted from breeders across the country. This week’s winning shot came from Shale HillStables, Muncie, Illinois. Jan McGlaughlin and family sent this photo of their curious filly by Reedann’s Flying Double out of Forty-TwoSecrets (by Forty-Second Street ERB). Read More