What started as a husband's birthday gift of a single Thoroughbred to his wife has ballooned to a passion that recently saw Jim and Dana Bernhard purchase Pin Oak Stud near Versailles, Ky.
Matt Weinmann, of Equine Analysis Systems, serves as the Bernhards' adviser as they aim to enter the Thoroughbred industry at a high level. They added a pair of broodmares early on the first day of the Keeneland November Breeding Stock Sale to bring their band to five. They also have 17 yearlings and six 2-year-olds.
Jim Bernhard is the founder and partner in Bernhard Capital Partners, where he serves as chairman of the investment committee, is on the portfolio committee, and is involved in all areas of the firm's investment activities. Weinmann met the Bernhards, of Baton Rouge, La., in 2021 at The July Sale, Fasig-Tipton's selected summer yearling sale in Kentucky.
"Jim came there to buy a horse for Dana as a birthday present and it kind of snow-balled into this," Weinmann said. "I'm really excited for them."
The Pin Oak operation was founded in the 1950s by Josephine Abercrombie and her father, J.S. "Mr. Jim" Abercrombie. After 35 years at the first location, Josephine Abercrombie moved Pin Oak to the current 750-acre farm. Mrs. Abercrombie passed away in January at 95.
At dispersals at three different sales last year, Pin Oak sold its remaining broodmares, weanlings, and some racing fillies. Under Mrs. Abercrombie's leadership, Pin Oak was named the national breeder of the year by the Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association in 1995.
Pin Oak Stud has produced or campaigned more than 100 stakes winners. Prominent homebreds to carry the distinct blue and gray striped silks include Peaks and Valleys, Broken Vow, Confessional, See How She Runs, Hasten to Add, Laugh and Be Merry, and Missed the Storm.
The Bernhards hope to add to that tradition.
"When Pin Oak came on the market, it seemed like an opportunity that was too good to pass up—all that history," Weinmann said. "As we know, Mrs. Abercrombie ran a top-notch operation. We really want to continue the quality and tradition that Mrs. Abercrombie and Pin Oak put in place for the past 60 or 70 years.
"We want to keep that going, really hold that high standard up there—achieve that and beyond."
With plans for a full-fledged breeding and racing operation, the Bernhards spent nearly $1 million to land a pair of mares early Monday. Making the transition official, Weinmann signed the tickets as "Pin Oak Stud," for Core Values at $425,000 and Diamond Sparklesat $500,000.
Consigned by Royal Oak Farm (Damian and Braxton Lynch), agent for BBN Racing, Core Values is a 4-year-old daughter of Honor Code who won a pair of stakes and placed in this year's Bewitch Stakes (G3T) at Keeneland. Out of the Street Cry mare Sweet Awakening, Core Values is a half sister to two-time Canadian champion Are You Kidding Me—a multiple graded stakes winner.
Consigned by Bluewater Sales, Diamond Sparkles is a winning, group 3-placed daughter of War Front and she was sold in-foal to Quality Road . Diamond Sparkles is out of Diamondsandrubies, a daughter of Fastnet Rock .
Weinmann didn't have an estimate on how many mares the new Pin Oak operation might purchase at the sale.
"We don't have a certain number in mind, but we're pretty active," Weinmann said. "I mean, obviously, it's a big farm. We're going to be pretty active and we're looking for top quality.
"We're going to be a full-fledged breeding and racing operation. We have the track out there, so we're hopefully going to break most of our yearlings, if not all of them, on the farm."
Weinmann said some Pin Oak employees have stayed on and the farm is busy looking for managers. The couple plans to continue to call Baton Rouge home, but looks forward to residing at the farm when they visit Kentucky for sales and races.
Under the Lynnhaven Racing banner, the Bernhards saw their first starter Oct. 1 when Mizztify Doll, an Indiana-bred daughter of Mizzen Mast, finished off the board in a maiden special weight race at Santa Anita Park. Weinmann said Mizztify Doll will need some seasoning under Richard Mandella. The Bernhards have juveniles with a pair of Hall of Famers in Mandella in Southern California and Bill Mott in New York.
"They're really excited to be in this business and we're looking forward to a lot of success and a lot of fun," Weinmann said.
According to his bio on his company website, Jim Bernhard is an expert in the energy services industry and has testified before the U.S. Senate's Energy Subcommittee to discuss pending energy issues in the United States and across the globe. He has served on numerous boards of trade and civic organizations and is active in his community. In 2001, he was recognized as "U.S. Entrepreneur of the Year."
In 2009, the Bernhards launched "Every Kid a King," a foundation to help give children better opportunities for education and healthcare.
