Page 167 - February 2021

familiar with James Ranch because David had actually kept some yearlings for us.”
Ultimately, their previous knowledge of the facility turned out to be the deciding factor in their choice to buy it. “We knew that the way David had taken the time to lay the ranch out – to set it up – would fit our breeding operation the way that we wanted. The ranch is very centrally located, which makes for better ease of operation. Once it became available, we decided that it was the place we wanted.”
The Cavenaugh’s chose veteran horseman Mike Turner to manage their new ranch.
Just three months after establishing their breeding operation, the Cavenaughs
have already outlined their top priorities. While Cavenaugh Quarter Horses endeavors to produce swift racehorses, they are also committed to increasing their runners’ durability. “What I would like to do in the long-term – and I don’t see this as a short- term venture – is that we’re able to improve the breed,” Fran asserts. “And that’s one
thing that we try to do when we’re looking at breeding our mares. We’re trying to find a way to breed soundness back into the horses – not only speed, but we really want to have good bone, good conformation, and good structure. My theory is that the better the horse is structurally, the more ability they’ll have to go down the track.”
Furthermore, the Cavenaughs are particularly interested in producing horses whose futures extend beyond their time
on the racetrack. “We are also looking to breed horses who don’t just have one career. We want to breed horses that can have a
Why winning the Rainbow Juvenile.
“We always wanted to be in the breeding side. That’s what interested us the most.” – Fran Cavenaugh
Fran & Don Cavenaugh
SPEEDHORSE February 2022 165
Susan Bachelor, Speedhorse
Myriam Maynard, Speedhorse
Susan Bachelor, Speedhorse