Ballinswood Farm

Ballinswood Farm and Ballinswood Sales are owned and operated by Bill and Alison Murphy.  Both Bill and Alison are horsemen with professional experience equalling nearly 50 years.  While Bill oversees the daily management of the farm and sales activities, Alison's main responsibilities lies in managing the administrative side of the business.  The businesses began in June, 2002, shortly after Bill sold his interest in Rockwell Farm and Rockwell Sales Agency.

Bill during foaling season 2001

A native of County Kildare, Ireland, Bill has always worked with horses.  Having ridden since he could walk, Bill's horsemanship skills developed early.  He first worked with Thoroughbreds at Dr. Sean Doyle's Baroda Stud in Newbridge, County Kildare when he was 10.  Bill then worked for Eyrefield House Stud also in Newbridge.  After finishing school at Rockwell College, 18-yr. old Bill went to Walmac, Int'l. in Kentucky to learn sales preparation.  He returned to continue his education at Rockwell's Agricultural College.   Bill then worked in Newmarket, England for the Swinburn family's Genesis Green Stud, who at the time, housed numerous champion homebreds including 1991 Irish Oaks winner, Possessive Dancer (Shareef Dancer - Possessive).  

Bill remained in Europe until he graduated from the world renown Irish National Stud Thoroughbred Breeding course.  But the Land of Opportunity was calling and Bill returned to Walmac in the summer of '93.  His U.S. career continued as yearling and stallion manager at the former Silver Leaf Farm in Ocala.  When Silver Leaf was sold, Bill found himself back in Kentucky working two years under the tutelage of renowned breeder and horseman Arthur Hancock at Stone Farm in Paris - an experience he values as second to none. 

Alison and Billy on retired racehorse Can't Trick Me

Alison brings both administrative and professional horse experience to Ballinswood.  Her experience with racehorses began at age 10 hotwalking her first horse - a steeplechase horse for Jonathan Sheppard at the Monmouth County Hunt Races in Red Bank, NJ.  From there she worked for trainer Bob Durso and Carol Dender at Delbrook Farm and spent a year at Celestial Acres Stud in Oklahoma.  Throughout college, Alison worked for Henry L. Carroll at Monmouth Park grooming, among others, turf giant Yankee Affair. 

Upon receiving a degree in economics from Rutgers University, she spent the next several years at top law firms in New Jersey, New York City, San Francisco and Louisville as a paralegal.  While in Louisville, Alison took Equine Administration courses at the Univ. of Louisville which lead to free-lance writing assignments for Churchill Downs, Thoroughbred Times, and Equine Athlete.  In July, 1999, Alison joined the nascent Lexington office of the National Thoroughbred Racing Association.  For the next three years, she worked closely with the Deputy Commissioner and was a Marketing and Indusry Relations manager. 

Ballinswood Farm Training Barn

Bill's dream of owning his own farm became reality in 1998 when he started Rockwell Farm in partnership with his eldest sister, Claire.  The Rockwell farm and sales businesses grew over the next four years to become the successful operation they are today.  However, as with many family operations, it was time for the siblings to part ways. 

Bill and Alison found the current location of Ballinswood Farm met their needs in many ways which were superior to Rockwell in it's construction, design layout and pastures.  So, Bill sold his interest to his sister, who continues to operate as Rockwell Farm, and began rebuilding his businesses under Ballinswood Farm and Sales.  

The Murphys

Rebuilding the farm and sales operation is as challenging as it is rewarding.  However, both Bill and Alison are confident that their hands-on management style focused on the needs of their clients, good horsemanship and knowledge of the marketplace will make Ballinswood Farm and Sales a leader in the Thoroughbred industry. 

Most importantly, with the start of Ballinswood Farm, Bill and Alison have the opportunity to build a successful breeding and sales operation to pass onto their son, Billy, who, at two years old, is already showing a propensity for working with horses!

Ballinswood Farm

Quality Boarding and Sales of Thoroughbred Horses

323 Brentsville Road

Paris, Kentucky 40361

E-mail:  farm@ballinswoodfarm.com

Telephone:  (859) 988. 5176  Fax:  (859) 988.5178

Copyright 2002 Ballinswood Farm, Inc.

All photos courtesy of Pferd Photos