Woodford Thoroughbreds to open training division

Woodford Thoroughbreds has hired trainer John Dowd and plans to open a public training division this summer at CloverLeaf Farms II in central Florida.

The Reddick, Fla., training operation will begin accepting horses this summer, according to an announcement from Woodford, which currently has a commercial breeding farm in Versailles, Ky. John Sykes owns both Woodford and CloverLeaf, and Matt Lyons is general manager for both properties.

Woodford’s new public training division will manage up to 100 horses for a variety of services, from breaking and training to juvenile sales preparation and rehabilitation. Woodford intends to use the center for some of its own 2-year-old sales and racing prospects.

Dowd trained Grade 1 winner Songandaprayer. He has lived in Ocala, Fla., since 2005.

CloverLeaf Farms II also stands the stallions Crown of Thorns and Repent.