Hall of Fame Inductee Alice Chandler Is Synonymous With Keeneland

Famed Kentucky horsewoman Alice Headley Chandler, whose life is inextricably linked to Keeneland, is among the 2020 inductees in the National Museum of Racing’s Hall of Fame. Chandler, who founded Mill Ridge Farm in Lexington in 1962, is a selection in the category of Pillars of the Turf, which recognizes people “who have made extraordinary contributions to Thoroughbred racing in a leadership or pioneering capacity at the highest national level” and includes her father, Hal Price Headley.

“She’s 94 years old,” said her son Headley Bell, who is Managing Partner of Mill Ridge, where Chandler lives with her husband, Dr. John Chandler. “She has dementia, but she functions well. We’re happy she’s here with us. She has full-time care, and Dr. Chandler takes tremendous care of her.”

Chandler grew up at Keeneland, where her father was the track’s first president from 1936-1951 after being a guiding force in its development. Following his death in 1962, Chandler inherited 286 acres near Keeneland and four broodmares and established Mill Ridge. She developed the farm into a leading breeding and sales operation, grounded by her father’s philosophy of making the horse the priority. 

Chandler achieved early success by breeding 1968 Epsom Derby winner Sir Ivor, a son of Sir Gaylord whose dam,Attica, was one of the mares she had received from her father. Mill Ridge sold Sir Ivor at the 1966 Keeneland July yearling sale for $42,000 to Raymond Guest. The colt’s achievements boosted Keeneland’s reputation as an international auction house and helped Mill Ridge develop international clientele.

Since then, notable horses bred or raised at Mill Ridge include 2001 Horse of the Year Point Given and 2011 Horse of the Year Havre de Grace, 2004 champion filly Sweet Catomine and 2005 Kentucky Derby (G1) winner Giacomo. Since 2000, Mill Ridge has raised or sold 34 Grade 1 winners, including six Breeders’ Cup winners. The farm, which was home to prominent sires Diesis (GB) and Gone West, today stands 2016 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf (G1) winner Oscar Performance.

While operating Mill Ridge, Chandler held numerous industry leadership positions and continued her father’s service to Keeneland. She was a member of the track’s Board of Directors for 23 years. In 2012, Mill Ridge’s racing colors appeared on the Keeneland Club button, an honor that recognizes prominent members of the industry. 

“Her true dedication is Keeneland because it was her father’s dedication,” Bell said. “She loves Keeneland. She’s very happy with how it’s continued to define its role within the industry and be the pillar of the industry.”

Mill Ridge remains a family operation. Headley Bell and his son, Price Bell Jr., also operate Nicoma Bloodstock, named for one of the first mares Chandler purchased when she launched Mill Ridge. Sons Mike Bell and Reynolds Bell are involved in the Thoroughbred industry. Chandler also has a daughter, Patricia “Tish” Bell.

Asked about what he has learned from his mother, Headley Bell began a list.

“Her love of the land. Her love of the horse,” he said. “Her love and devotion to her clientele, her dear friends, to get them to experience the highest level (of racing). Her love of the industry and trying to make it the best it could be. 

“She would say, ‘Well, that was my father.’ She worshipped her father, and she lived through her father. In doing so, she stamped her own way. Both of them have been our inspiration to emulate what they did.”