Taylor Made Celebrates 50 Years in Business at Keeneland September

September 12, 2026 - 19:44

Mark Taylor was only seven years old in 1976 when his 19-year-old brother Duncan and Mike Shannon launched Taylor Made as a broodmare operation on leased ground. The farm sat on property that would later become Dromoland, though at the time it carried the name Tartan Farm. Taylor recalls the early days with a mix of fondness and faded detail, admitting he cannot quite reconstruct how the original arrangement came together.

What began as a modest venture among young horsemen has since grown into one of the most recognizable names in the Thoroughbred industry. The operation has raised, sold, and consigned countless horses over the years, building a reputation that now spans generations of buyers and breeders.

The milestone comes as the company prepares for another Keeneland September Yearling Sale, a venue that has long served as a stage for its consignments. Reaching 50 years in business is rare in any field, let alone one as volatile as horse racing. Taylor Made's survival speaks to steady management, deep relationships, and an ability to adapt through shifting markets.

For the Taylor family, the anniversary is less about nostalgia than about the work still ahead.