Longtime Lane's End Farm Manager Mike Cline Retiring

Mike Cline, the only farm manager Lane's End has ever known, is retiring after a 40-year career at the storied nursery near Versailles, Ky., the farm announced July 23.

"It would be hard to overstate Mike's importance to Lane's End and everything that has happened here since the farm's inception," said Lane's End's founder Will Farish. "I hired Mike back in 1979, and he has overseen everything from the broodmares, to stallions, to sales, to barn construction, to pasture maintenance."

Cline has mentored many successful people in the industry—Callan Strouss at Oak Tree, Chris Baker at Three Chimneys Farm, Eddie Kane at Calumet Farm, Charles Campbell at Indian Creek Farm, Cooper Sawyer at Mt. Brilliant Farm, and Donna Vowles at Kiltinan Castle Stud near Fethard, County Tipperary, Ireland, just to name a few.

"Will Farish provided me with the opportunity of a lifetime, and it has truly been an honor to work for him and with him over these many years," Cline said. "Will's vision for Lane's End was incredible, and it has been a privilege to help him implement that vision. I have had the opportunity to meet presidents, the Queen, and many fascinating people, not to mention manage some of the greatest Thoroughbreds in history. A.P. Indy, Smart Strike, Kingmambo, Zenyatta, Miesque, All Along, Weekend Surprise, and so many others.

"I plan on continuing to stay involved with the farm and its many clients in more of an advisory role," Cline continued. "Lane's End's continued success will always be important to me."