Dr. John Chandler
Dr. John Chandler was born, raised, and educated in Pretoria South Africa. Even as a young boy, Chandler knew he wanted to be a veterinarian. He recalls a life-long interest in horses that only increased as he spent more and more time at the track. Chandler followed through on this pursuit and completed veterinary school in 1964. Soon thereafter his talent and good fortune secured him work with Newmarket’s Dr. Fred Day. During his third year at the practice Chandler volunteered to accompany a recent sale of broodmares to the United States, a trip that eventually brought him to Kentucky, where he’d soon meet not just his future employer—but also Alice Headley, the woman who would eventually become his wife.
Most associate Chandler with Juddmonte Farms, where for thirty-three years he served as president of their U.S. division, though this wasn’t his first job in Kentucky. Upon arrival in Kentucky Chandler first worked at the veterinary practice of Hagyard, Davidson and McGee. It was while working at this office that Chandler met Alice, daughter of Hal Price Headley. In a recent two part interview with Thoroughbred Daily News Chandler recalls the day she hopped into his truck, “a good-looking woman, and horsey. My kind of woman. Very smart. She knew what she wanted, and how to manage a farm.” His observations were not incorrect.
A lifelong horsewoman, Alice grew up at Keeneland. She recalls riding her pony from Beaumont to the track, taking Versailles Road all the way in. She watched as the farm equipment, loaned by her father to Keeneland prepared the track and grounds for its first meet of 1936. From the start Alice was sure of her skillset. She told the Lexington Herald-Leader in a 2001 article, “I don’t think that being a woman in a man’s world was a disadvantage…Maybe I was so stupid I never knew it was a disadvantage, being a woman in this business. I just thought, ‘I can do it. I’m as good as they are.’”
Alice inherited 248-acres of Beaumont Farm, which she renamed Mill Ridge Farm. From 1962-2008, Alice served as owner and manager of Mill Ridge, which today totals 1,050 acres. As a major consignor to Keeneland, the farm has been home to its fair share of success stories. One of the earliest being Sir Ivor, who won both the Epsom Derby and 2000 Guineas. Other winners include: Keeper Hill, Nicosia, Ciao, Hadif, Secret Hello, Flemensfirth, Golden Gear, Rash Statement, and Pillow Talk.
It wasn’t long after meeting Alice that Chandler’s career shifted gears. Connections made during his Newmarket days resurfaced and linked him with Juddmonte Farm’s owner, Prince Khalid Abdullah. Juddmonte Farms consists of seven farms, in three countries: England, Ireland, and the United States (Kentucky). The farms when taken as a whole provide a stud area of more than 3,500 acres. In Kentucky, Juddmonte has two farms each containing approximately 700 acres. During his tenure at Juddmonte, Chandler oversaw operations of both Kentucky farms; though he’ll be the first to emphasize the importance of the team he had working alongside him. One memory Chandler recounts often, and is particularly proud of, is his role in helping bring trainers Bobby Frankel, Ron McAnally, and Henry Cecil to the team.
Juddmonte has been the recipient of numerous awards and honors, including: Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association’s top breeder, numerous Eclipse Awards, leading owner and breeder in both England and France. Standout horses include: Rainbow Quest, Rail Link, Known Fact, Dancing Brave, Quest for Fame, Commander in Chief, Empire Maker, and Flute.
Outside Juddmonte, Chandler and Alice have experienced countless other victories. Mill Ridge-bred horses have done well throughout the years, including: 2005 Kentucky Derby winner, Giacomo; 2001 Horse of the Year, Point Given; Kentucky Oaks winner, Keeper Hill; and 2011 Horse of the Year, Havre de Grace— to name just a few. Alice has been a member of the Kentucky Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association since 1976. She has served as the Director of the Breeders’ Cup, Kentucky Thoroughbred Association, and Keeneland Association.
Dr. Chandler and Alice have four children: Patricia B. McDowell, Michael H. Bell, Reynolds Bell, Jr., and Price Headley Bell.
Resources:
Beattie, L. Elisabeth. “Beating the odds.” Lexington Herald-Leader, August 5, 2001.
"‘Doc’ a Juddmonte Linchpin From the Beginning." Thoroughbred Daily News, March 19, 2019. Part 1 of 2 part interview with Chris McGrath.
"‘Doc’ Chandler’s Diagnosis of Greatness." Thoroughbred Daily News, April 2, 2019. Part 2 of 2 part interview with Chris McGrath.
Donovan, K.T. “Keeneland and Juddmonte – A match made in Bluegrass heaven.” Keeneland, April 2006, Vol. 23 No. 1, pp. 14.
Fortune, Beverly. “There’s no denying horsewoman’s success.” Lexington Herald-Leader, September 18, 2005.
Liebman, Dan. “Juddmonte Farms Khalid Bin Abdullah.” Kentucky 2009 TOBA National Awards Dinner, p. 60.
Walker, Alan Yuill. “Juddmonte Farms.” The Thoroughbred Breeder, September 1990.