Matt grew up raising young stock on a farm in East Galway, Ireland. He is a graduate of the Equine Science and Business program at the University of Limerick. He came to Kentucky on work experience over twenty-five years ago. He counts Gerry O’Meara, Gerry Dilger, Frank Taylor and John Sykes among his many mentors. Matt gained early experience at Glenwood, Dromoland and Taylor Made farms. Matt was hired by John Sykes in 2007 as General Manager when they founded Woodford Thoroughbreds.
Under Matt’s leadership, Woodford Thoroughbreds became a perennial leading sale consignor. They were also a top ten breeder by North American race earnings in 2018 and 2019. In 2019, Matt was hired as the Senior Vice President and Chief Operating Officer at Candy Meadows Farm. Matt founded the Candy Meadows Sales consignment that same year. 2024 was a banner year with 2 colts bringing $1 million per horse at the Keeneland September sale. This was followed by Roses for Debra topping the Keeneland November Sale bringing $2.4 million.
In addition to his roles at Candy Meadows, Matt is also Vice President of the Board of Directors at The Secretariat Center: an organization that seeks to prepare off-the-track thoroughbreds for second careers. He is currently a board member for the Kentucky Thoroughbred Farm Manager’s Club and previously sat on the Board of the Consignors and Commercial Breeders Association.
Meet the Team
