BY SARAH WELK BAYNUM

Darrell Solley has been an instrumental member of Marilyn Campbell’s Stonehedge LLC Thoroughbred enterprise with decades of dedication to nurturing exceptional horses. His journey in the Sunshine State began in 1978 when he transitioned from rodeo to Thoroughbreds, a path that would define his professional life.

“In 1978, I came to Florida from Maryland,” Solley recalls. “I was rodeoing pretty much all the time back then, and when I got here, I was offered a job galloping and taking care of horses on a local farm. Then in 1990, I started working at Stonehenge Farm South with [the late] Gilbert [Campbell] and [his wife] Marilyn Campbell—and I’ve been here ever since, about 35 years now.”

Initially working at Stonehedge as an exercise rider and doing other jobs, Solley advanced quickly to become the assistant manager, working under Stonehedge longtime manager Larry King. Today, Solley manages the Stonehedge broodmare operations, a role he cherishes.

“This is the best time of year—I really enjoy the new babies coming, because this is where it all starts,” Solley said.

And his approach is refreshingly humble.

 

“I almost don’t want to say, ‘this young horse is the next big one,’ because it seems like it’s always another one that ends up being the real runner.”

Throughout his career, Solley has been instrumental in the success of several notable Thoroughbreds at Stonehedge. Stallions Sword Dance (Ire) and West Acre were particularly memorable and crucial in establishing the farm’s success.

West Acre, by Forty Niner, sired 179 winners, 12 stakes winners from 12 crops for progeny earnings of $13 million. Among his best offspring were Watch Me Go, winner of the Grade 2 Tampa Bay Derby; Grade 3 Bonnie Miss-winner Ivanavinalot; and Grade 3 Orchid-winner Speak Easy Gal. 

 

Ivanavinalot is also the dam of multiple graded stakes-winner Songbird, a two-time Eclipse Award winner inducted into the National Museum of Racing Hall of Fame in 2023. Songbird won 13 of 15 career starts while earning nearly $4.7 million.

Sword Dance, a son of Nijinsky II, was one of Florida’s leading sires, producing 23 stakes winners with earnings exceeding $26.4 million. Sword Dance produced Marlin, a multiple Grade 1-winner bred by Gilbert Campbell and an earner of more than $2.4 million; Grade 2-winners Dance for Thee and Blazing Sword; and Grade 3-winner Friel’s for Real.

 

“I got to travel quite a bit with [Blazing Sword] during his 3-year-old year, including being at Saratoga when he ran in the Travers, which was very special,” Solley said. “I helped out [trainer] Kathleen O’Connell [with Blazing Sword]—she’s been one of our trainers here for years. We were friends even before I started working here and I kind of helped her get in the door with Mr. Campbell.”

Solley says Florida’s unique environment and great facility at Stonehedge Farm South, located just north of Williston, have been crucial to him and the accomplishments and success of the Thoroughbreds produced and raced by farm.

“It’s really the climate down here that makes the difference,” he said. “We’re lucky because Stonehedge Farm is huge—550 acres. We have the space to do everything right, from foaling and breeding through breaking and training, and then sending horses to the races.”

Currently, the breeding program at Stonehedge maintains approximately 37 broodmares and focuses on stallions Cajun Breeze and leading Florida sire Khozan.

Cajun Breeze stands at Stonehedge Farm South and Ms. Campbell has ownership interests in Khozan, who stands at Ocala Stud.

His life’s philosophy is both simple and profound.

“I just enjoy being outside with the horses, watching them grow and develop. Basically, stay out of their way and let them be. It’s great horses that have made great men—not great men that have made great horses.”

Return to the March 4 issue of Wire to Wire