Nicholsons Reflect On Their Second Breeders' Cup Champion

Steven and Brandi Nicholson of Silver Fern Farm have much to celebrate as 2019 comes to a close. This year, they accomplished what many dream of as the breeders of their second Breeders' Cup champion in just three years.

In 2016, Steven and Brandi traveled from their farm in Versailles, Kentucky to Santa Anita as the breeders of Classic Empire (Pioneerof the Nile), cheering on the colt as he secured the GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile by a neck. Three years later, along with co-breeder Sandra Sexton, they again made the trip across the country to Santa Anita to watch undefeated juvenile filly British Idiom (Flashback).

“We were excited to be back in Santa Anita,” Brandi said. “The three of us all traveled together and got there early on Wednesday. It was an absolute blast and a great experience to share together.”

British Idiom already had two wins on her resume before shipping to California. The filly broke her maiden on debut this summer at Saratoga, and then went on to soundly claim the GI Alcibiades S. at Keeneland by six and a half lengths for owners Michael Dubb, The Elkstone Group, Madaket Stables, and Bethlehem Stables.

The Brad Cox trainee went off as the 5-2 second choice in the GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies. Although jostled going into the first turn, she was able to save ground under Javier Castellano and avoid a hot pace on top. Coming around the far turn, she collared favored Donna Veloce (Uncle Mo). The two battled in a long stretch drive, with British Idiom digging in to prevail by a neck.

“It's so rewarding when you put in all this work to get a horse to the sales ground and get to watch them go on to such great success,” said Stevens. “We're good friends with Brad Cox, so it was even more enjoyable to get to celebrate with him.”

Steven has been involved in the Thoroughbred industry all his life. A New Zealand native, he grew up working alongside his parents at their family stud farm.

“We did it all-stallions, mares, and foals. We broke yearlings and had a track for pre-training and training,” he explained.

Steven's father, Graeme Nicholson, was a well-known New Zealand trainer. One of his most popular successes, Sir Slick, raced nine seasons and captured 22 victories, including six Group 1 races in New Zealand. Steven gained much of his foundation in the industry working as an exercise rider for his father.

“I basically lived on the track,” he said. “I was there every day with my father, before school and after school.”

He went on to make multiple trips to the United States with his brother, learning from numerous people in Kentucky, including trainer Jimmy Baker and Tom Evans of Trackside Farm.

“I traveled around a bit, including a stint in Australia, before making the move to the United States in 1997. I've been here since.”

While Steven grew up engulfed in the industry, Brandi found her way into it.

“I worked at a riding camp in Midway during the summers while I was in college, and ended up moving to Lexington,” she said. “I worked at Rood and Riddle for a while, which led to a job at Shadwell Farm.”

The two met through a mutual friend, and began working at forming a business together before they were married.

“Our first business venture was a weanling-to-yearling pinhook that had three partners,” recalled Brandi. “We made enough money to pay for our wedding, and that was the beginning of Silver Fern Farm.”

Named after the national symbol of New Zealand, Silver Fern Farm began as a small farm in Paris, Kentucky with an assortment of broodmares, sales pinhooks, riding horses, and the Nicholson family ponies. In 2008, the duo partnered with Hargus and Sandra Sexton and moved their farm to Versailles. “Our property sits between the two Sexton Farms, so we now run it as one farm,” Brandi said. “The Sextons gave us the opportunity to work at our business full time.”

While Hargus passed away in June of 2017, Sandra continues to play an active role in the partnership.

The Nicholsons pride themselves in running all aspects of the operation.

“Steven does most of the matings, and then the three of us go over what he comes up with,” she explained. “We take all of the mares to the shed ourselves, and we are there for every foaling. Unfortunately, I get stuck doing most of the paperwork.”

Hargus and Sandra Sexton purchased Rose and Shine (Mr. Sekiguchi) at the 2017 Keeneland January sale, in foal to Flashback, for $21,000. The mare had raced exclusively at Woodbine from two to four, claiming two stakes races over her career.

“Sandra liked Rose and Shine because she was a good commercial prospect as a stakes winner with Storm Cat in the sire line,” Steven said. “She was a very pretty mare. When it comes down to the commercial market, we look for mares that will produce good-looking foals, because we know they will sell well.”

Two months after her purchase, Rose and Shine foaled a filly by Flashback, later named British Idiom.

“You could ask her to do anything, and she would do it for you,” Steven said. “She was so well mannered and was never getting into trouble. She was just one of those foals that you enjoy working with because she took care of herself and was so laid back.”

According to Steven, British Idiom later grew into a well-developed yearling.

“She had plenty of size and carried good condition,” Steven recalled. “She was very forward, which helped in the sales ring. She presented herself well at the sale with a great walk and a calm attitude.”

The filly caught the attention of agent Liz Crow at the 2018 Fasig-Tipton October Yearling Sale, who purchased her for $40,000.

“You get to the point where you have to let them go and they're out of your hands, but it's always gratifying to watch them grow up and succeed,” Steven said.

The Nicholsons attribute much of their success to their tight-knit partnership with the Sextons, as well as their emphasis on creating a relaxed environment for their horses as they grow up.

“I think it goes back to how we raised horses in New Zealand,” said Steven. “We try to let them grow up and just be a horse. We don't pamper them too much when it's not necessary. We want them to be relaxed and happy, and I think that helps them in the long run.”

With two Breeders' Cup Champions in three years, the Silver Fern theory has served the farm well.