2021 Director Election Candidate Biographies William S. Farish, Jr. Lane’s End Farm/Founder, Woodford Racing

William S. Farish, Jr. is a Thoroughbred owner and breeder with over 30 years’ experience in the industry. He has bred Grade I winners SHADOW CAST and BURNING ROMA in his name and has campaigned many stakes winners under the name of Woodford Racing, a partnership he founded in 2005.

The Farish family owns Lane’s End Farm, located in Central Kentucky. Lane’s End is one of the foremost full- service breeding establishments in the industry. Bill is involved in all aspects of the operations at Lane’s End, one of the world’s premier Thoroughbred farms. Lane’s End stands at stud champion stallions such as Candy Ride, Lemon Drop Kid, Quality Road, Union Rags and Mineshaft. Lane’s End’s extraordinary sales record has seen them sell more than 365 stakes winners, including champions such as A.P. Indy, Saint Liam, Rags to Riches and Lemon Drop Kid.

Bill served two terms as Chairman of the Board of the Breeders’ Cup, from 2006-2011 and then again from 2013-2017. During his first chairmanship, Farish oversaw dramatic changes in the Breeders’ Cup, foremost among them was the growth of the Breeders’ Cup from a single day $14 million prize money event to a two- day Championship comprised of 13 races with purses and awards totaling $26 million. It was also during this period that the Breeders’ Cup Challenge series of automatic qualifying races was created; and organization passed several security and safety measures, and the banning of steroids from Breeders’ Cup competition. During his second term the Breeders’ Cup expanded its roster of host tracks and host communities to include new and highly successful host sites, Keeneland and Del Mar.

Bill is currently a Trustee of Keeneland Association, a Steward of The Jockey Club, and serves as the Chairman of the Horse PAC.

Farish and his family reside at Lane’s End.

Personal Statement: I have been passionate about the Breeders’ Cup ever since my father had a runner in the very first Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies race in 1984. It has been an honor to serve two stints as its Board Chair and would be a continued honor to be re-elected to the Board.

The Breeders’ Cup is in a very strong position at this point and time and is budgeting annual surpluses with no long term debt for the first time in its 35-year history. We are offering ever increasing record purses while paying travel awards and “Win and You’re In” entry fees to many starters, all relatively new additions.

There are many things that need improving in our sport and a strong Breeders’ Cup is ready to help in any way it can. I hope to help continue to guide those efforts on behalf of our nominators.

Eric Gustavson Owner & President, Spendthrift Farm

Eric joined the family farm upon B. Wayne Hughes’ acquisition of Spendthrift in 2006, and he has played a key role in restoring Spendthrift back into a premier breeding operation. Eric served as Marketing Director before becoming President and Owner, and he has overseen Spendthrift’s extensive growth over the last 15 years, going from one homebred stallion to building the largest roster of stallions in North America.

During that span, Spendthrift acquired, raced and launched the stallion career of Into Mischief who has emerged as North America’s reigning two-time Champion General Sire of 2019 & 2020. In recent years, Spendthrift has bolstered its roster by acquiring an abundance of top stallion prospects, including Bolt d’Oro, Omaha Beach, champions Mitole & Vino Rosso, and home-raced Kentucky Derby winner, Breeders’ Cup Classic winner and 2020 Horse of the Year Authentic – the most successful son of Into Mischief to date.

Eric strongly believes in the “We, not me” philosophy of building a team and working towards a common goal. He is proud and humbled to take over the reins as the next custodian in the long and storied history of Spendthrift. Eric credits B. Wayne - his father-in-law - for being the most innovative person in the Thoroughbred industry, and has learned much from the successful business leader. This has helped Eric in managing the team that brought such industry innovations as the “Share the Upside Program” and other popular breeding programs that focus on reducing risk and economic burden for breeders. Spendthrift has also ventured into making racehorse ownership available to the masses through its championing and investment in the micro-share start up My Racehorse, which saw a breakthrough in 2020 by campaigning Authentic.

“As Wayne likes to say, the breeders are the backbone of our industry, and Spendthrift operates daily under that very premise. We are also committed to improving the racehorse ownership experience and making our great game more accessible to all through MyRacehorse. Spendthrift will continue to be an advocate for horses, breeders, and owners at all levels so we can have the most prosperous environment possible to innovate and grow this sport we are so passionate about,” he said.

Personal Statement: I believe the long-term health and viability of the Thoroughbred industry will ultimately lie in whether it can unite and self-govern effectively under a centralized body, overseeing the whole. I see the need for strong, uniform penalties for drug offenders, and the courage to apply and stick to the harshest of sanctions for the violators.

I also believe the industry must make the gambling experience more user friendly to attract and maintain a larger and growing base of fans, and that every industry stakeholder must be responsible stewards of the horse and committed to aftercare.

Alex Solis II Solis/Litt Bloodstock & Gainesway Farm

Alex Solis II is a partner in Solis/Litt Bloodstock and the Director of Bloodstock at Gainesway Farm. He is a third-generation horseman following in the footsteps of his Hall of Fame father, jockey Alex Solis and grandfather, Bert Sonnier, a leading trainer who campaigned the likes of champion Nodouble and Meadowlake.

Alex grew up at the racetrack and has worked with some of the finest horsemen in the industry. Richard Mandella, Bruce Headley, and Mel Stute in California and John Hall at Taylor Made Farm are a few who've made a lasting impact on his development.

Alex graduated from Cal Poly Pomona in 2007 with a BA in Finance. While in school, Alex also began his career in the bloodstock business purchasing multiple grade one winner Daytona and the future book favorite for the Kentucky Derby, The Pamplemousse.

In 2010, Alex combined with KY agent Jason Litt to form Solis/Litt Bloodstock. Solis/Litt Bloodstock provides full-service management with access to world-class trainers. The business has expanded Internationally in recent years, and now includes the trading of Stallion Shares and management of Breeding/Racing portfolios.

The Thoroughbred Times, a leading industry weekly magazine, named Alex one of "The Forty under Forty in the Thoroughbred Industry." He has been the subject of features on TVG, HRTV, LA Times, and Bloodhorse. Since 2004, Alex has been involved in 264 horse transactions with achievements that include 11 Grade-One winners, 42 Stakes Winners and 84 Stakes Placed horses; including two time Breeders' Cup winner Mizdirection, Kentucky Derby winner Country House and Champions Covfefe and Shared Belief.

Alex currently resides in Lexington, KY with his wife Brittany and their two sons. He enjoys golfing, travel, and is an all-around sports enthusiast.

Personal Statement: I currently participate in all aspects of the horse industry including racing, breeding and sales. I am known for my collaboration, effective communication and integrity. Having participated as an owner and overall fan of the Breeders’ Cup, I bring a well-rounded perspective and an understanding of the next generation of racing, owners and fans. My goal is to support the Breeders’ Cup in its long- standing traditions, to help increase visibility and attract greater participation for this elite horse racing event.