Michael with the Breeders’ Cup statue at Keeneland in October 2020.
Michael Hernon
Michael was born into a Farm/Broodmare Operation in Co. Dublin, Ireland. He attended his first Thoroughbred horse auction as a 12-year-old, at Goffs Sales. Now a U.S. citizen, Michael spent three years working at Pedigree Associates (Sissy Woolums) writing sale catalog pages for Fasig-Tipton. Three years later, he would join Fasig-Tipton in a marketing/yearling inspection role, working alongside then-President John Finney and longtime Fasig-Tipton auctioneer Walt Robertson.
Michael was later hired by Russell and Ritchie Jones of Walnut Green Bloodstock to be their representative in Kentucky. Based in Lexington, Michael recruited product for the sales consignment and traded stallion seasons at the top level of the market and helped identify several top racehorses, including G1 winner UNACCOUNTED FOR and the extremely talented graded stakes winner CANAVERAL, both purchased as sale yearlings.
Michael’s employment as Director of Sales at Gainesway Farm commenced November 1st, 1995. Working with Graham and Antony Beck, the stallion operation flourished through pivotal selection and recruitment, which included 3-time consecutive leading general sire TAPIT. Among the successful sales Michael oversaw from the Gainesway shedrow were DADDY’S LIL DARLING ($3,500,000) and DRUMETTE ($1,850,000) during the 2018 Fasig-Tipton November sale.
Michael worked directly with Don Alberto Corp. in the solicitation and standing of the repatriated Champion Racehorse and Top Sire EMPIRE MAKER. The opportunity to work with the legendary stallion master, Marion Gross, and the other longtime stallion men led by Carl Buckler, was a huge benefit is gaining additional stallion related knowledge.
Monomoy Girl prior to breezing at Churchill Downs
Michael being interviewed by media at the 2018 Fasig-Tipton November Sale in Lexington, KY
His successful pinhook selections include the privately purchased CITADEED, whose profitable sale for $80,000 led to a career with earnings over $700,000 as the eventual winner of the Peter Pan Stakes (G3) and 3rd place finisher in the Belmont Stakes (G1).
He has purchased numerous racing prospects for clients, among them eventual Breeders’ Cup Sprint (G2) winner DREAM RUN. Purchased for Jack Murphy, he earned more than $450,000 on the track. He also selected graded stakes placed ONE SMOKIN LADY. Purchased for Charles J. Zacney, she won the Day Lilly Stakes and earned over $280,000 during her racing career.
Michael co-bred dual champion and Eclipse Award winning MONOMOY GIRL with Brendan and Olive Gallagher and, along with Bill Adrade, co-bred dual grade one winner ZAZU. Other stakes winners he has bred or co-bred include MR. MONOMOY (G2), FLASHBACK (G3) and REALLY MR GREELY (G3). He also raced DESIRE TO EXCEL (G3) in partnership.
Establishing his bloodstock business as Hernon Bloodstock in the Fall of 2020. Michael currently owns the 3-year-old stakes winning turf filly SPANISH LOVEAFFAIR with Gary Barber and Eclipse Thoroughbreds as well as 3-year-old Group 3 placed filly SUSSEX GARDEN and 3-year-old filly TAKNTOTHECLEANERS, recent 9 length winner at maiden special weight in her debut.
Michael and SPANISH LOVEAFFAIR