ABOUT GUNSTON HALL FARM
Family Owned & Operated
Invested in the Kentucky Horse Industry & Its Valued Culture
Gunston Hall Farm established in 1996 by Lisa and Ruel Cowles DVM
Gunston Hall Farm was established in 1996 by Dr. Walter Ruel Cowles, his wife Lisa, and two sons, Joe Ruel and Larmon. After graduating from Auburn University, Dr. Cowles moved to Central Kentucky in 1980 and was first employed by Spendthrift Farm prior to starting his own veterinary practice, Ruel Cowles, D.V.M., P.L.L.C.
In 1984, Dr. Cowles purchased a seventy-five acre thoroughbred farm in Winchester, Kentucky and named it Hidden Creek Farm. After twelve years of operation, business at Hidden Creek Farm grew to maximum capacity and a larger facility was necessary to meet demand. In 1996, the Cowles family purchased one-hundred and fifty acres from Elmer Whitaker, located to the rear of Whitaker Farm, approximately ten minutes from downtown Lexington on Russell Cave Road. The family named its thoroughbred farm Gunston Hall Farm.
Gunston Hall Farm is a family run, full service thoroughbred facility whose services specifically include: boarding, breeding, foaling, lay-ups, sales preparation and bloodstock services. In order to further accommodate the growing needs of its clients, in 2004 Dr. Cowles purchased another one-hundred and fifty acres on the corner of Russell Cave Road and Iron Works Pike and named it Tantura. In 2012, the Cowles’ had the opportunity to purchase the adjoining farm of 80 acres, and moved their foaling division to the new farm named Cosa Mia. In late 2016, Lisa and Ruel handed the farm down to Larmon and Cristina, to preserve for future generations.
In summary, since its inception, Gunston Hall Farm has produced top-class thoroughbred horses both in the sales ring and on the race track. Much of its success stems from the dedicated staff and the hands-on approach taken by the Cowles family. We urge you to visit the beautiful facility the Cowles family has created and allow us to obtain your goals in producing the best quality horses.
OUR FAMILY & STAFF
Larmon Cowles
Cristina Ventura
Larmon Cowles, Owner/Operator
Larmon started working full time on Gunston Hall in the Fall of 2004. He graduated from the University of Kentucky with degrees in Accounting and Finance, but chose to follow his passion of working with horses. Larmon has worked on the racetrack as well as at sales for the past six years. Larmon attempts to look at every horse on the farm everyday to ensure that each horse is developing and progressing well. He attends all foalings and works closely with the rest of the farm staff to identify any potential problems that need to be addressed and solved.
Cell phone: 859-983-2563
E-mail address: larmoncowles@qx.net
Cristina Ventura, Owner/Resident Veterinarian
Originally from Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Cristina came to Kentucky in 2010 to work for Dr. Cowles for an internship. Eventually she decided to stay! She worked at Gavea Racetrack in Rio for 3 years at the equine hospital. She graduated from Federal Fluminense University with a degree in Veterinary medicine; she received her veterinary license in 2018. In her free time she enjoys running and family outings.
Joe R. Cowles
Emily H. Cowles
Joe R. Cowles, Bloodstock
Joe R. Cowles, raised in Lexington, Kentucky. Joe is an attorney by trade, but devotes much of his time to thoroughbred bloodstock for the family and clients. Joe attended Centre College and then Capital University Law School graduating is 2002. Joe R. Cowles works as a National Business executive for Humana Inc.
Joe purchased his first horse, in partnership with his parents, at age eighteen. Since that time, has been responsible of most all of bloodstock activity and transactions for the Cowles’ family breeding/racing operation T/C Stable, LLC. T/C Stable LLC campaigned horses include: Trout River Red, Big Lou, Genuine True, Indivia, Wadena, Minister Lady, Flair for Fun, etc.
Cell Phone: 859-983-2561
E-mail address: joecowles@qx.net
Emily H. Cowles, Legal Counsel
Emily was born and raised in Nashville, Tennessee. Emily is currently an associate of McBrayer, McGinnis, Leslie & Kirkland PLLC in the firm’s Lexington office. Emily’s law practice focuses on the areas of commercial litigation and creditor’s rights. Emily’s practice also involves equine law, in which she serves horsemen, horse farms, and veterinarians in collections and contract transactions. She is an active participant in equine law forums and recently spoke before the Kentucky Horse Council on the “Legal Aspects of the Horse Business.” Emily is licensed in Kentucky, and for both the Eastern and Western Districts for the United States District Court, and is a member of the American, Kentucky and Fayette County Bar Associations. She moved to Lexington, Kentucky to obtain her undergraduate degree, which is where she met her husband, Joe R. Cowles. Emily and Joe reside in Lexington and are parents to Walter Ruel Cowles, III and Charles Graham Cowles.
Cell phone: 859-509-0004
Ruel Cowles, DVM
Ruel Cowles DVM, Resident Veterinarian/Farm Consultant
Ruel Cowles has been raising thoroughbreds and assisting clients in raising horses since 1984. He graduated from Florida State University and then attended Auburn University Veterinary School. He initially started as a resident veterinarian for Spendthrift farm, before opening his own equine practice and thoroughbred nursery. Now he oversees Gunston Hall’s 300 acres as well as its veterinary activity. He with his family has a broodmare band of twenty mares and a small racing stable, which runs primarily on the east coast.
E-mail address: cowles@winstream.net or gunstonhall@qx.net
Kevinie Click
Office Operations / Client Relations
gunstonhall@qx.net
“Gunston Hall Farm has produced top-class thoroughbred horses both in the sales ring and on the race track. Much of its success stems from the dedicated staff and the hands-on approach taken by the Cowles family. We urge you to visit the beautiful facility the Cowles family has created and allow us to obtain your goals in producing the best quality horses.”
Matias Angelini
Manager Tantura Division
