“We are thrilled to add two of the most prominent and respected individuals in the sport to our Board of Trustees,” Thayer said. “Barbara and Charlsie represent everything that is good about the sport of Thoroughbred racing. They have been positive ambassadors for racing and I am confident they will be positive ambassadors for the Museum.”
Banke and her late husband, Jess Jackson, built Jackson Family Wines into one of the most highly acclaimed group of wine brands in the world. Stonestreet Farm was established in 2005 with Jackson’s purchase of 460 acres along Old Frankfort Pike in Lexington, Ky. Later that year, Stonestreet acquired 640 acres in Versailles, Ky., which now serves as Stonestreet’s yearling division. Stonestreet has built a broodmare band of nearly 100, and in 2010 led North America in total yearling sales dollars, offering 54 yearlings at sale and completing and completing sales of 46 with a gross total of more than $7.2 million. Stonestreet’s breeding program has produced 18 stakes winners, including My Miss Aurelia, the 2011 Champion 2-Year-Old Filly.
Stonestreet campaigned 2007 and 2008 Horse of the Year Curlin, as well as 2009 Horse of the Year Rachel Alexandra. Curlin’s major wins included the Preakness Stakes, Breeders’ Cup Classic, Dubai World Cup, Stephen Foster, Woodward, and back-to-back editions of the Jockey Club Gold Cup. Rachel Alexandra won the Preakness, Kentucky Oaks, Mother Goose, Haskell, and became the first filly to win the Woodward. Other notable Stonestreet runners include 2013 Kentucky Oaks contender Dreaming of Julia and Kauai Katie.
Cantey is one of the most recognizable broadcasters in Thoroughbred racing. She has worked for CBS Sports, ABC Sports, ESPN, NBC Sports and others, and is regarded as one of the sport’s most knowledgeable commentators. Cantey also spent time as an exercise rider and later as a trainer. In addition to her network coverage of the Triple Crown, Cantey was a reporter and analyst for ESPN’s “Racing Across America” from 1985 through 2002. Cantey retired from broadcasting following her coverage of the 2005 Breeders’ Cup for NBC Sports.
Along with her racing coverage, Cantey contributed to the CBS Sports coverage of the National Football League and National Basketball Association. She was also a panelist on “The NFL Today” on CBS and was a reporter for the USA Network coverage of the Westminster Kennel Club. Cantey also serves on the National Museum of Racing’s Steeplechase Review Committee.
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