Derek MacKenzie, Co-Owner

Derek MacKenzie is a third generation thoroughbred horseman and a native of Canada. He has been based in Central Kentucky for the last 22 years and brings more than 25 years of thoroughbred sales experience to Vinery Sales. Derek grew up on a thoroughbred farm in Canada and is a 1993 graduate of the Irish National Stud. Upon returning from Ireland he went to work as a barn foreman in the yearling division at the illustrious Windfields Farm in Ontario. Gaining three and a half years of valuable experience at Windfields led to being named the Farm Manager at Green Gates Farm in Kentucky in 1996. Derek managed Green Gates Farm for eight years. While at Green Gates he had the pleasure of working with the multiple champion Kooyonga (IRE) and four time grade 1 winner Lite Light. Derek joined Vinery as Yearling manager in 2008 and was promoted to Director of Sales in 2011. While at Vinery he was directly involved in the raising of ArchArchArch (G1) and Regally Ready (G1), as well as raising and selling 2014  three year olds Constitution ($400k Saratoga August yearling) winner of the Grade 1 Florida Derby and two time Grade 2 winner Cairo Prince ($250k Keeneland September yearling).  He is now Managing Partner for Vinery Sales. 

Matt Bowling, Co-Owner

Born and raised in Louisville, KY, Matt moved to Lexington to attend the University Of Kentucky where he received his Bachelors of Science in Agriculture with an emphasis in Equine Science. After working for multiple prestigious farms during college, Matt graduated and became Stallion Director at Empire Stud in New York. During this time he also acted as an agent for Empire Bloodstock.  For the better part of the next decade Matt worked as an independent agent for a local bloodstock agency. While there Matt brokered, syndicated, or placed numerous G1 stallions in 5 different states in the U.S., and on 3 different continents. After leaving there, Matt opened up Bowling Bloodstock, which he continues to operate today. He currently does bookings and matings for over 300 mares. While Matt’s main focus has been on stallions, seasons, and shares, he continually buys many horses privately for clients. 

Erin Robinson

Born and raised in Versailles, KY, Erin graduated from Woodford County High School in 1993 and the University of Kentucky in May of 1997 with a B.S. in Animal Sciences and minors in Biological Sciences and Piano Performance. Erin started in the Thoroughbred industry in 2000, working a variety of jobs. She is responsible for ongoing administrative duties and organizing sales. 

Hiroaki Nakamura

A native of Tokyo, Japan, Hiro has more than 25 years of international experience in the thoroughbred business. Hiro is a graduate of Meiji University in Tokyo and worked in advertising before entering the horse business. He is a 1993 graduate of the Irish National Stud and also worked at Corbary Stud in Ireland. Starting in the mid 1990's, Hiro was both the General Manager of Green Gates Farm in Kentucky and the CEO of a large training farm in Tochigi, Japan over the course of more than 10 years. Hiro is now a bloodstock agent and advisor for many clients in Asia and he has a broad understanding of the horse business with an international perspective.