Antony Beck
When Antony Beck’s father, Graham (1929-2010), purchased Gainesway from John Gaines (creator of the Breeders’ Cup) on February 20, 1989 for $7.5 million, Antony thought him “crazy to take on something as iconic and high-profile as Gainesway” -- and for good reason, considering the declining horse market. Yet Graham, a savvy South African businessman, who made his fortunes first in the coalmines and later in fashion, powerboats, and vineyards, was confident in his purchase when he took on the 89 acres and 36 stallions. It wasn’t long before Graham added the neighboring Greentree to his acreage, purchased just months later for $5.4 million. “I bought it for the trees,” Graham says of Greentree. “It is a park. In its proportions, it is a serious work of art.” A final addition came in 1998 when Graham purchased the former C.V. Whitney Farm from Marylou Whitney.
While Graham was drawn to the thrill of the race, Antony’s interests went beyond the racetrack and into the breeding shed; at a young age Antony caught “the bug” and was particularly drawn to the science of pedigrees. After graduation from the University of London it was a natural fit for him to oversee his father’s South African horse business, which included 4,000 acres spread across three farms. Despite his father’s investment in the Bluegrass, Antony had no intentions of moving to Kentucky but that all changed after Marylou Whitney introduced him to Angela Levy. Antony and Angela were married in 1992 and a move to Kentucky soon followed.
Under Antony, who took over the farm in 1997, significant changes were implemented. Instead of simply breeding, Gainesway began boarding mares and developing their foals for sale, acting as the sales agent. With sales as a new focus, a fresh team was brought on, and within a few years Gainesway became a consistent name on the top-five lists of significant auctions.
Countless horses have called Gainesway home, including: La Troienne, Broomstick, Equipose, Peter Pan, Regret, and Tom Fool. Modern-day notables include: Winning Colors, Broad Brush, Lyphard, and Tapit.
While building a team, Antony built a community. Family is central for Antony and Angela who have five children and this mentality is applied to the business, as well. “It is a great life for everyone here on the farm,” said general manager Brian Graves, whose family resides down the road from the Becks. “Antony treats us like family. We’re invited to dinner. I feel more like an adopted son than an employee. It’s peaceful; it’s nice; it’s a haven for the horses. Once you get used to this … this isn’t normal. This is special.” And Graves isn’t the only employee living on-site, situated among its 1,500 acres, are 30 residences supporting nearly half of the 80 staff members who work at Gainesway.
Gainesway by the numbers:
1984 The American Institute of Architects names Gainesway Farm's Stallion Complex, designed by Theodore M. Ceraldi, the recipient of the Honor Award, calling it “a masterly example of the great beauty and elegance that can result from simple design done well.”
1989 Graham Beck purchases Gainesway and Greentree Farms and merged them into one farm: Gainesway
1,500 acres make up Gainesway Farm
0 number of other horse farms that have been named an arboretum by the American Public Garden Association
2004 Tapit arrives at Gainesway
Resources:
Clippinger, Don. "Mr. and Mrs. Graham Beck's Gainesawy Farm." Spur, January / February 1992, pp. 60-69.
Eisenberg, John. Hollowed Ground: A History of Gainesway Farm. Lexington: Eclipse Press, 2013.
Eisenberg, John. "Silver Jubilee." Keeneland, Fall 2013, pp 26-26.
Lansberry, Reg and Frank Angst. "International success story." Thoroughbred Times, August 7, 2010, pp. 6-7.