Alice Chandler & Headley Bell with now deceased Nicosia daughter of Nicoma.

    Nicoma Bloodstock was founded with the intention of informing Mill Ridge Farm of the happenings in the industry.  It was 1979 and the Thoroughbred business was changing dramatically as stallions were becoming its greatest emphasis. My mother, Alice Chandler and her friend Bill O'Neill thought the best way to do this was with a bloodstock agency.

    Just out of Vanderbilt University, I had no intention of being a bloodstock agent. However, I saw the value of having access to information out on “the street” and I considered it an opportunity to give something back to Mill Ridge Farm. As time went on Nicoma grew its varied services as well as its clientele and became a full service agency assisting farm clients as well as developing its own.

    My family has the reputation of being excellent horsemen. My mother, the founder of Mill Ridge Farm, my grandfather, Hal Price Headley, one of the founders of Keeneland, and previous generations of horsemen has established high standards and very big boots to fill.      

    Nicoma has provided me the platform to demonstrate my ability and make a contribution.  In the past ten years our yearling purchase record consist of 28% stakes winners or stakes placed horses from yearlings bought.  

    Our broodmare returns are equally outstanding. Of the mares we purchased, 26% produced graded stakes winners and in fact 13% produced (G1) winners after purchase.

    The ultimate satisfaction, however, is breeding the racehorse and in association with our clients we have had wonderful success as mating consultants. The results over the past five years have been extraordinary; in particular ARTIE SCHILLER (G1)and his Breeders’ Cup win in 2005, BARBARO’s (G1) Kentucky Derby win in 2006, STREET SENSE (G1)and his 2007 

    Kentucky Derby win, LUCARNO’s (G1) St Leger win in 2007, MONBA’s (G1) 2008 Blue Grass win, RAINBOW VIEW (G1)2008 Meon Valley Stud Fillies’ Mile, and in 2009, PASSION FOR GOLD (G1) winner of the Criterium de Saint-Cloud.

    I feel honored to have the opportunity to associate with so many leading owners/breeders, assisting them with different aspects of their business. Providing them with the success they deserve is more rewarding than the commissions generated.  Nicoma has given me the 
opportunity and provided a vehicle not only to reward myself but those I associate with.