Famed horsewoman Alice Headley Chandler dead at 95

Famed Kentucky horsewoman Alice Headley Chandler, the founder of Mill Ridge Farm, passed away peacefully at her home in Lexington, Ky., on April 6, at the age of 95.

Chandler was the first of three children born to Hal Price Headley, a co-founder and former president of Keeneland, and Genevieve Molloy Headley. Following her father’s death in 1962, Chandler inherited 286 acres near Keeneland and four broodmares and established Mill Ridge, eventually developing the farm into a leading breeding and sales operation. Mill Ridge achieved early success by breeding and selling 1968 Epsom Derby winner Sir Ivor, whose dam was one of the mares she had received from her father.

Since then, notable horses bred or raised at Mill Ridge include Horse of the Year honorees Point Given and Havre de Grace, champion Sweet Catomine, and Kentucky Derby winner Giacomo. The farm, which was home to prominent sires Diesis and Gone West, today stands Grade 1 winner Oscar Performance.

Chandler was a member of Keeneland’s board of directors for nearly a quarter of a century. In a statement released Wednesday, Keeneland president and CEO Shannon Arvin called Chandler “a guiding light that helped shape the success of Keeneland.”

“Mrs. Chandler was an exceptional horsewoman who devoted her talents to caring for her beloved Mill Ridge, its horses and clientele, and her dear friends and family,” Arvin said. “Respected by horsemen internationally, she was a tireless ambassador for the Thoroughbred industry and applied her leadership skills to make extraordinary contributions for the betterment of the sport. ... Mrs. Chandler was a pioneer in our industry in many ways, and her lifelong motto of ‘Take care of the horse, and it will take care of you’ represents an important part of her legacy both at Mill Ridge Farm and at Keeneland.”

Chandler also served as president of the Kentucky Thoroughbred Association; was a director of the Breeders’ Cup; served as chairperson of the University of Kentucky Equine Research Committee; and was a director of the Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association.

In 2009, Chandler received the Eclipse Award of Merit, and in 2006 was recognized by the Kentucky State Senate for her service and contributions to the racing and breeding industry. Most recently, Chandler was inducted into the National Museum of Racing’s Hall of Fame in the category of Pillars of the Turf for 2020, which recognizes people “who have made extraordinary contributions to Thoroughbred racing in a leadership or pioneering capacity at the highest national level” and includes her father, Hal Price Headley. She will be honored posthumously at this year's ceremony, which will recognize last year's inductees.

When Chandler stepped down from her leadership position at Mill Ridge Farm in 2008, she said, “I have lived a blessed life, doing just what I want to do: associate with the finest horses, clients, friends, and an industry that I love.”

Chandler is survived by her husband of 49 years, Dr. John Chandler; her children Patricia, Mike, Reynolds, and Headley; eight grandchildren, and 14 great-grandchildren. Her three sons followed her into the Thoroughbred industry, and Mill Ridge remains a family operation.

Asked last year by Keeneland staff about what he has learned from his mother, Mill Ridge managing partner Headley Bell offered a list.

“Her love of the land. Her love of the horse,” he said. “Her love and devotion to her clientele, her dear friends, to get them to experience the highest level. Her love of the industry and trying to make it the best it could be.

“She would say, ‘Well, that was my father.’ She worshipped her father, and she lived through her father. In doing so, she stamped her own way. Both of them have been our inspiration to emulate what they did.”