Renowned Thoroughbred nursery Bridlewood Farm in Ocala, FL has been purchased by prominent American businessman John C. Malone and his wife Leslie, and the property and its operations have been turned over to new ownership effective Thursday, Aug. 1.
Malone is the Chairman of Liberty Media Corp. based in Englewood, CO, and Leslie who is a lifelong horse lover, equestrian, and major supporter of the United States Olympic Dressage Team.
“We are all very excited about the future of the farm,” said longtime Bridlewood general manager George Isaacs. “The Malones will be great stewards of the property, and are going to dedicate the resources to allow us to do what we do best – breed, raise, sell, and go to the races with their horses.”
Built in 1976 by the late Arthur I. Appleton, Bridlewood Farm has been a staple in the Florida Thoroughbred industry and a perennial leading breeder in North America. Over last 37 years, the farm has bred well over 100 stakes winners, 12 Grade 1 winners, and numerous Florida champions such as Jolie’s Halo, Forbidden Apple, Wild Event, Southern Image, David Junior, Eden’s Moon, and more. Bridlewood has also raised and trained several outside horses, most notably 2004 Kentucky Derby (G1) & Preakness S. (G1) winner Smarty Jones. It’s also been home to such blue-hen mares as North Of Eden (Ire), dam of Bridlewood-bred Grade 1 winners Paradise Creek and the aforementioned Wild Event and Forbidden Apple, and granddam to such current top performers as aforementioned Grade 1 winner Eden’s Moon.
Bridlewood has also had a long and prominent stallion operation, standing such leading Florida sires as Silver Buck, Jolie’s Halo, My Gallant, Buckaroo, Skip Trial, Stormy Atlantic, and Halo’s Image. Currently, Bridlewood is home to 10 active stallions, including Florida’s reigning champion sire Put It Back.
