In the Dec. 31 press release from Hill 'n' Dale at Xalapa naming Jes Sikura to the role of director of bloodstock, his father John Sikura, the farm's president, said: "Jes has demonstrated a great passion and acuity for the business. He loves the farm and working with clients to serve their goals. This appointment is strictly about my belief in his integrity, ability, and commitment, and has nothing to do with him being a 'Sikura.'"
The family name does carry great generational recognition in the industry, and the younger Sikura, 24, is both cognizant and very proud of that.
Working on the farm while attending college, Sikura graduated from the University of Kentucky in December with a degree in economics, and then transitioned to working full time for the family business that sits on 1,400 breathtaking acres in Central Kentucky. Hill 'n' Dale is renowned for its top-class stallions, including Curlin , who has sired 11 champions, and for its elite consignments at major auctions.
Jes Sikura's answers are edited for space and clarity.
BloodHorse: Obviously, racing and breeding were at your fingertips since the time you were born, but when did you know it was something you wanted to pursue as a career?
Jes Sikura: Growing up, my dad actually pushed (his sons) away from horses a little bit, just so we could get our own unique experiences. If it turned out to be something that had a magnetic attraction with any of his kids, eventually, we would loop back into it. I really focused on playing hockey while going to school. I boxed a little bit when I was younger.
But both of my younger brothers and I really always cared when Hill 'n' Dale would have a horse running, or Hill 'n' Dale would have a big horse selling. It's something we always paid attention to, while not necessarily being involved, other than working the odd job in the summertime.
Toward the end of my high school career, though, I started to really pay attention. Casual was a filly that we had on the track that caught my attention at the time. Me and my friends at Millbrook School (a boarding school in New York) would always watch her run. I had so much interest and really cared about her. I said, 'You know what? Now that I know I'm probably not going to be a Division 1 or Division 3 hockey player, I think I should probably start focusing on the family business and horses.' It's something that we've always grown up with and have enormous pride in … having the last name Sikura. To see my dad working in the business, along with a great team, I felt a sense of pride in wanting to join the team, learn as much as I could about the operation, and hopefully take the torch one day.
BH: Are your brothers, Jackson and Jaden, involved in Hill 'n' Dale as well?
JS: While my brothers and I are each working in different industries and focused on different facets of life, the hope is after Jackson learns the intricacies of business from his investment banking job, he will potentially come back to the farm or head the route of private equity and be an outside investor in Hill 'n' Dale.
As for Jaden, his lessons from (currently) being an elite (hockey player) for Army West Point, and a leader in the military after (graduation), will, hopefully, result in all of our skills being intertwined into the Hill 'n' Dale brand.
BH: The adrenaline rush you got from playing varsity hockey, does that same kind of feeling come with the horse business?
JS: Working in collaboration with the people at Hill 'n' Dale—which was the leading consignor back-to-back years at Fasig-Tipton's (November Sale)—it's easy to compare it to when I was playing hockey; there is absolutely that adrenaline rush of wanting to be the best and wanting to show up statistically while being a part of a team that makes that happen.
BH: For people unfamiliar with the role of director of bloodstock, how would you describe it?
JS: Right now, I'm trying to wear as many hats as I can, selling seasons, doing contracts, (going to) sales, sales entries, and recruiting. Going to farms to see clients, and weanlings and yearlings. Everything that I can do, and whatever comes across my desk that's Hill 'n' Dale-related, I'm here. Clients can call me for whatever they need access to. I'll do whatever it takes to help us work efficiently and function adequately.
BH: Do you anticipate feeling pressure in this position?
JS: I don't feel pressure, but there is an extreme amount of optimism and energy that I carry knowing that it's a big role. I'm not intimidated by it. Rather than pressure, I feel enthusiasm, wanting to do well, and knowing the expectations and standards are set very high.
There's nothing I would rather do than work next to my dad. I think it's essential for people to take pride in their last name, and I take a lot of pride in the name Sikura. If I didn't feel like I was able to do a good job, if I didn't feel like I could make my dad prouder, or that this is something that I wasn't ready for, I would not have even considered being in the horse business or working at Hill 'n' Dale. There are many other options I could have taken.
But I want to make my dad proud. I want to make my (late) grandfather (John Sikura Jr.), who started Hill 'n' Dale, proud. The only thing that comes with working with family is the extra push and motivation to do well.
