FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Legends of Bourbon County Thoroughbred Fund Announces the 2025 Legend of Bourbon County: Sunday Silence, 1989 Champion Three-Year-Old and Horse of the Year.

Event Date: October 11-12, 2025

Stone Farm’s Sunday Silence to be Honored at the 2025 Legends of Bourbon County Festival

Paris, Kentucky —April 4, 2025 — The Legends of Bourbon County Thoroughbred Fund is excited to announce the selection of Sunday Silence as the 2025 Legend of Bourbon County. A celebrated icon in the horse racing world, Sunday Silence will be honored at the annual Legends of Bourbon County Festival, which brings together enthusiasts and stakeholders to celebrate the storied history of Thoroughbred racing in Bourbon County, Kentucky.

Sunday Silence: A Racing Legend

Sunday Silence is one of the most iconic racehorses of his era. He etched his name in history with a thrilling victory in the 1989 Kentucky Derby and followed it with memorable wins in the Preakness Stakes and Breeders’ Cup Classic. His rivalry with Easy Goer, the runner-up in all three races, captivated fans and cemented his place in racing lore. After his success on the track, Sunday Silence went on to become one of the most influential sires in Thoroughbred racing, producing numerous champions and passing on his legendary bloodlines to future generations.

This tribute to Sunday Silence highlights not only his victories on the racetrack but his lasting impact on the sport as a sire. The recognition comes as part of the Legends of Bourbon County Festival’s annual tradition of honoring racehorses who have made significant contributions to the Thoroughbred industry.

Stone Farm: A Legacy of Excellence

Sunday Silence’s legacy is proudly represented by Stone Farm, a renowned breeding nursery based in Bourbon County, Kentucky. Established by fourth-generation breeder Arthur Hancock III, Stone Farm has become one of the foremost names in the Thoroughbred industry. With a commitment to breeding excellence, Stone Farm has been home to some of the most successful horses in racing history, including the late Sunday Silence.

Over the years, Stone Farm has been a breeding ground for elite racehorses and continues to be a leader in the industry, contributing to the rich history of Bourbon County and Kentucky’s Thoroughbred breeding tradition. The farm’s track record of producing top-quality horses has made it a cornerstone of the racing world and a cherished part of the region’s heritage.

The Legends of Bourbon County Festival

The Legends of Bourbon County Festival is an annual event that celebrates the history, culture, and legacy of Bourbon County’s Thoroughbred industry. This one-of-a-kind event brings together horse racing fans, breeders, and enthusiasts to pay homage to the racing legends who have shaped the industry and made Bourbon County a hub for Thoroughbred breeding and racing excellence.

The festival features a variety of activities, a celebratory ticketed event to honor the Legends of Bourbon County, live entertainment, educational events, farms tours, horse farm 5k’s, and a Family Fun Day to include horse racing fans of all ages. Each year, a different horse is selected to be celebrated for their contributions to the sport, ensuring that the history of Bourbon County’s Thoroughbred industry is kept alive and well.

“We are thrilled to honor Sunday Silence the 2025 Legend of Bourbon County, as well as partner with Stone Farm” said Lauren Biddle, chair of the Legends of Bourbon County Thoroughbred Fund. “His legacy, both as a racehorse and as a sire, is a testament to the rich tradition of excellence in Bourbon County, and we look forward to celebrating him alongside the passionate community of racing fans and breeders who continue to make this region a global epicenter for Thoroughbred breeding.”

“We are blessed to be in Bourbon County, the heart of the Bluegrass, on the very land that produces world class recehorses. Sunday Silence was one of the best things that ever happened to me in my life. He was a gift from God,” said Stone Farm owner, Arthur Hancock.

"What a wonderful experience to have foaled and raised Sunday Silence in the rolling pastures of Stone Farm, and then to have the thrill of racing him in our farm colors," added his wife, Staci.

About the Legends of Bourbon County Thoroughbred Fund

The Legends of Bourbon County Thoroughbred Fund is a nonprofit organization dedicated to enhancing, preserving and promoting the history of Bourbon County’s Thoroughbred racing and breeding legacy. Through its work, the Fund supports various community and industry initiatives and recognizes the thoroughbreds who have made significant contributions to the sport.

Event Details

The 2025 Legends of Bourbon County Festival will be held in Paris, Kentucky, with a series of events leading up to the October 11, 2025 ticketed event where Sunday Silence will be officially honored as the Legend of Bourbon County. The festival will include a variety of activities, from live music to family fun activities. This year’s Legends of Bourbon County Festival will kick-off Saturday, October 11 at Stone Farm (details to come) and will also include a Downtown Paris Festival on Sunday, October 12th. Sunday’s event will boast live music, vendors, food, family fun activities and events related to the legendary Sunday Silence.

For more information about the 2025 Legends of Bourbon County Festival and the Legends of Bourbon County Thoroughbred Fund, please visit www.legendsofbourboncountyfestival.com.

Press Contact: Lauren Biddle, Chair, Legends of Bourbon County Thoroughbred Fund
 Email: info@legendsofbourboncountyfestival.com
 Phone: (859) 707-8231
 Website: www.legendsofbourboncountyfestival.com