Steve Johnson is the owner of Silver Springs Stud in Bourbon County Kentucky, a 425 acre nursery home to 125 broodmares, foals, yearlings, and horses in training. Prior to purchasing Silver Springs Stud in 2014, Steve designed and built the original Margaux Stud in Woodford County Kentucky, now a part of Stonestreet Stables, and when that property was sold, he developed the current Margaux Farm prior to selling it to Jim and Susan Hill. Farm design and development have been at the foundation of Steve’s lifelong approach to all aspects of Thoroughbred farm management.
Central to his management philosophy is integrating all aspects of the development and growth of Thoroughbreds throughout their life; beginning with planning the matings and the conception of the foals culminating with the conclusion of their racing careers. After managing Thoroughbred breeding farms in Maryland and Kentucky since 1975 where he focused on breeding, raising, and marketing the majority of the horses being raised, in the early 2000’s Steve began a new phase of Thoroughbred involvement when he began “starting” (breaking) yearlings, getting them ready to go directly from the farm into training.
Above all else, Steve’s goal in raising horses is to “…slowly and purposely guide and direct young horses, to not only develop strong bones, but at the same time lead them to mature mentally”. Consistently throughout his involvement in the industry, Steve has managed and employed basic horsemanship as the foundation of his operations, and his dedication to this approach has resulted in many sound, successful runners who have graduated from his care.
In addition, Steve has mentored many of the current farm managers in Central Kentucky. He continues to be active, serving on the board of the Kentucky Equine Management Internship (KEMI) program, an educational program that provides experience and placements for young people wanting to find careers in the Thoroughbred industry. Steve lectures and conducts seminars throughout the year, and is currently a visiting professor at Yanbian University in Yanji, China.
Steve has served as the Kentucky Thoroughbred Farm Managers’ Club (KTFMC) president, and was honored by being appointed the KTFMC Thoroughbred Farm Manager of the Year in 2003.
