Bonnie Heath, III

Bonnie Heath III was first introduced to the Thoroughbred industry as a child when his father campaigned Needles in partnership with Jack Dudley in the mid 1950s. Bonnie’s first recollection of the business was attending Hialeah to watch morning workouts. The Heath family lived in Ft. Lauderdale for much of that time and moved to Ocala in the fall of 1956, the same year Needles became the first Florida-bred to win the Kentucky Derby.

Bonnie worked on the farm every summer beginning at age eight. He graduated Ocala High School in 1967 and graduated Oklahoma State University in 1971 with a degree in business administration.

Bonnie married his wife, Kim, in 1988. Together, they took over the management of Bonnie Heath Farm in 1991 and turned it into a full service operation, standing stallions, training, selling at auction, boarding, and foaling the family horses, as well as those of select clientele. The first foal born at Bonnie Heath Farm after Bonnie and Kim took over was subsequent Horse of the Year and Champion Three-Year-Old Holy Bull. Other top runners bred, raised or trained at Bonnie Heath Farm include Honor Glide, Quick Mischief, A in Solciology, His Honor, Epic Honor, Outstander and Kalu.

Currently, the Heaths stand Honor Glide at Bridlewood Farm, and the private family farm now resides on 78 acres in Reddick. Bonnie is a past board member of The Centers, the Ocala Farm Ministry, and the Marion County Sheriff’s Advisor.