Hanley promoted to general manager at WinStar Farm

WinStar Farm in Versailles, Ky., promoted David Hanley to general manager on Monday, where he will oversee the farm’s 23-stallion division and other business operations. Hanley previously served as director of development at WinStar, and will replace Chris Baker, who was named chief operating officer at nearby Three Chimneys Farm last week.

A native of Ireland, Hanley has over 30 years experience in the Thoroughbred industry, working in both Europe and North America. He began his career in Ireland, where he worked as both a private trainer for Whitechurch Stud and as a public trainer, and also bred and pinhooked horses. He was the co-breeder of eventual U.S. champion Golden Apples and trained her during her early racing career in Europe, and conditioned several other group/graded stakes winners.

Hanley relocated to the U.S. in 2001 and since then has been involved in breeding, buying, and/or pinhooking such horses as Grade 1 winners Pool Play, Forest Secrets, and Ultimate Eagle. He worked in the areas of client and bloodstock development in his previous position at WinStar.

“David has been with us for over a year now, and his horsemanship is the best in the business,” said WinStar president and chief executive officer Elliott Walden in a release. “As David has done everything from training Grade 1 winners to pinhooking $900,000 yearlings and [working in] many other facets of the Thoroughbred business, I am confident that he is the right fit for the job.”

“I am honored by the faith and trust put in me by Kenny [Troutt, WinStar owner] and Elliott, and I relish the opportunity and new set of challenges ahead,” Hanley said.