A former SEC athlete and University of Kentucky basketball player, Allen and Leslie Carter are a couple who don’t do anything half-baked because their countless accomplishments have been achieved through hard work, dedication, and dedication. attention and passion for what they do. So, it probably won’t be long before this duo will cause a stir in the racing industry as they recently added the title of ‘Master Breeder’ to their list of many works of a lifetime.
South Carolina native Allen Carter moved to Bluegrass State in 1982 to play football for the University of Kentucky. While there, he met – and eventually married – Leslie Nichols, a three-time All-SEC-winning basketball player who remains fourth all-time in scoring in basketball history. UK women.
Allen had no background in horse racing, but the sport was ingrained in Leslie’s blood. Her grandfather KC Wilson and father Harvey Nichols were both respected members of the industry.
“I’ve been around horses all my life,” says Leslie. “My grandfather was a foreman at Jonabell Farm for 20 years. He handles rivets and does pretty much everything. My father worked at the Rock Farm for Arthur Hancock. He took care of Sunday’s silence and lots of other really famous horses. There are four girls in my family and so I always go out with my dad. Allen calls me my father’s son. But I’ll be out on the farm with him and horses have always been part of my family. ”
In 2010, the Carters stumbled across a vacant lot north of Lexington, just a few doors down from where Leslie grew up.
“We fell in love with this property,” recalls Leslie. “When we found it abandoned, we would run to the front door and make a note on the porch saying we were interested, but we never heard from anyone. The property was finally on the market and we were lucky enough to buy it.”
Leslie and father Harvey Nichols visit their Algorithm with a wish from Princess Laila at the sale | Photo courtesy of Silver Springs Farm
They soon learned that their 20-acre plot was home to the Silver Springs Distillery from 1867 until Prohibition in 1918 and is now on Kentucky’s historic register as one of the the first distilleries of the Commonwealth. Before the property was abandoned, it was serving as a motel and breakfast. After moving into what was once the distillery’s home, the Carters renovated the old cottage into what is now a successful Airbnb.
Soon after moving in, Allen realized he was going to need some help maintaining the ranch’s lawn. He asked Leslie’s father about buying a horse. Leslie’s father finds a chubby Princess Laila (Souvenir Copy) being fired and possibly ready immediately, but by the time Allen has fixed the fence and is ready for an occupant, she He’s back in practice.
“The guy asked me if I was willing to share the cost with him to race,” recalls Allen. “We finished racing with her a couple of times and she actually won a race. When she retired, I brought it back to the farm to breed.”
Princess Laila has produced several ponies for Silver Springs Ranch. Her first pony, Wine Devine (Wilburn), eventually became another pony in Silver Springs. She was also the dam of Sellwood (Girolamo), who was sold for $40,000 as an aspirant and ended up making almost $200,000 as a Class I performer.
“I’m so lucky,” Allen said at his quick start as a breeder. “I guess it takes a lot of listening, watching and research to make sure you are breeding the right stallion to get a horse that sells or that will run well.”
Renowned Lexington veterinarian Dr. Robert Copelan helped Allen and Leslie land their second cub.
“Leslie’s family has a close relationship with Dr. Copelan and I joked with him that I needed a second horse to help clear the lawn,” recalls Allen. “I think a week later he woke me up and said a man was on his way to bring me a horse. I thought he was joking, but I looked out the window and a tow truck pulled up. I ended up breeding that mare and selling her foal in the sale.”
The mare, Jana D (Aptitidue), produced the coveted $20,000 in 2014 and later Shipman gelding named Breacher that Silver Springs raced on its own.
“What’s interesting is that back then, Allen really didn’t know anything about horses,” says Leslie. “It’s amazing how much he has learned about the horse industry and my dad has been so instrumental in helping us with horses, breeding and everything here on the ranch.”
The Carters admit that they are far from what is typical Lexington ranchers.
“When people hear what we’re doing, especially since we’re a Black couple, they seem to be surprised,” Leslie said. “In Kentucky, you’re looking at multi-million dollar farms, but I mean we have [suburbs] right behind us. People ask us, ‘What is that? Is that a house? ‘ and we explained that it was a stable. I guess for us it’s about trying to introduce racing to more Negroes so they understand that even though we’re only 20 acres, it’s a business you can be in. . We’re doing it on a very small scale, but we’ve been lucky enough to have had some success with it and more importantly, we’ve enjoyed it. ”
Along with being involved in the horse industry, the Carters are also making a name for themselves as winemakers.
Allen first became interested in making his own wine when he and Leslie toured Europe during Leslie’s time as an assistant coach for the University of Kentucky women’s basketball team.
“I fell in love with wine while there because they have some of the best wines in the world, especially their champagne,” explains Allen. “I decided to buy a vine and bring it back here. At the time we lived in the suburbs, so I planted it in the backyard. By the third year, it covered the entire fence. I made maybe two or three bottles from the grapes that made it and it turned out pretty well. Then I developed a passion for wine and so one of the first things I did when we bought the farm was to plant 5 acres of grapes and start making wine.”
Allen in a 5-acre vineyard in Silver Springs | Photo courtesy of Silver Springs Farm
As the vineyard prospered and their small group of vineyards continued to thrive, the Carters officially named their property Silver Springs Ranch Eqwine and Vineyard.
Allen entered his first wine competition in the 2020 Kentucky Commissioners Cup with his 2017 Kentucky Black Type Reserve Sparkling Wine Traminette and won two gold awards, a very special honor awarded only when all winners The judges considered it an excellent wine. Also at this competition, his White Traminette won a bronze medal.
“It was really exciting to win the gold double,” Allen said. “At the time, I was only producing it for family and friends so I had to make a decision whether I would do this as a business or keep it as a hobby. I decided that I would grow it as a business. ”
Allen’s handcrafted wine, introduced under the Black Type Reserve brand, is now sold in many restaurants and stores throughout Kentucky.
Silver Springs has expanded its brand to offer a number of other unique products, including coffee beans steeped in empty bourbon casks as well as sweet potato yeast rolls.
“My grandmother used to make yeast rolls, and she also made sweet potato buns,” recalls Allen. “One night I had a dream and decided to combine them and try making sweet potato rolls. They worked pretty well so I went to the Weisenberger Mill outside of Lexington and they helped me mass produce it. It’s now available in stores around Lexington and we’ll begin carrying it at Whole Foods in this area. “
Silver Springs is working on a new venture as Allen is currently working to obtain a license to manufacture his distillery. He is planning a one-barrel bourbon release this spring.
“Our long-term goal for the farm is to expand all of the products that we are producing,” says Allen. “We have all our products on our website and a few stores around Kentucky. One of our goals in the coming year is to expand our farm, from products, races to livestock. ”
Allen said his favorite aspect as a breeder is waiting for the arrival of the foals each spring.
“When it comes to fattening and brood laying, that’s one of the most exciting parts of the breeding process,” he said. “Then once the pony arrives and you have it running around, you don’t know if it might one day be a Class I winner. It’s one of the most exciting things.”
As for Leslie, she said her relationship with racing helps her feel closer to her father, who has devoted much of his life to the industry, as well as many family members who have traveled. before her in this business.
“My cousin and I have talked and shared stories about our grandfathers and we all agree that we love the sound the horses make when they are,” she said. racers and their hooves are hitting the ground. “I think racing has always been a part of me and it takes me back to my childhood and the times I spent with my dad. I think knowing how much he loves horses, that just takes me to a happy place. ”
To learn more about the products offered at Silver Springs Farm Eqwine and Vineyard, click here.
