PHIL SIMS
Phil was raised on a horse and cattle farm north of Lexington where he developed the skills and interest to care for animals. When he moved into town to attend the University of Kentucky, he decided that this was the right place to establish a business. Since his first starter in 1980, Phil has continued to build a powerful stable of both horses and owners.
Phil trains horses to run at the highest level from his home base at Keeneland, and has found success from many different angles. Most notably would be the purchase and campaigning of Grade 1 winner and Breeder's Cup Distaff runner-up Don't Tell Sophia. Phil also developed homebred Hot Cha Cha into a multiple Grade 3 winner before she took the Grade 1 Queen Elizabeth Challenge Cup at Keeneland in style. Another recent success, Pleuven (FR), didn't reach his full potential until arriving in the Sims barn following a private purchase. Phil expertly handled the imported French bred, campaigning him to multiple stakes wins including the Grade 2 Wise Dan at Churchill Downs. Phil's prowess at public auction certifies him as having one of the keenest eyes for potential winners in the game. Along with his noteworthy purchase of Don't Tell Sophia, Phil handpicked recent Grade 3 winner Proud Emma and and Multiple Graded Stakes winner Call Pat as yearlings. CONTACT PHIL 859.983.4621
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CommitmentsKTA/KTOB-
Former Director The Thoroughbred Club of America-
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MATT SIMS
The oldest of Phil's two boys serves as the stable's Assistant Trainer. Matt comes from generations of horse trainers on both sides of his family and spent his youth working on the family farm in Georgetown and in his father's stable, honing his keen horsemanship skills. Naturally, when the time was right, he found himself on the backside alongside his father helping develop Grade 1 winners Don't Tell Sophia and Hot Cha Cha. Matt is skilled with a condition book and helping his father point their runners towards wins. He also enjoys getting to know our owners and will often be another liaison to give updates on trainees. Matt supervises aspects of the daily training operation and often travels to tracks wherever team Sims has runners.
CONTACT MATT 859.983.3688
BLAKE SIMS
Blake is Phil's younger son, but isn't lacking in experience. Like his older brother, Blake was raised working on the backside in his father's stable and on the family farm. Through high school and college, Blake worked for Keeneland during each sale season and spent a summer working under Classic winning trainer William Haggas in Newmarket, England. Most recently, Blake was the Director of Research for Taylor Made Sales Agency. In addition to an in-depth knowledge of American racing, Blake has travelled extensively and is familiar with the racing and sales scenes of England, Ireland, and France. When he's not busy with his current studies pursuing a J.D. at the University of Kentucky College of Law, Blake helps his father with valuations, auction purchases, and race day operations.
CONTACT BLAKE 502.370.5683