Lexington, KY - Denise Dillon came to Kentucky from Canada to work at Maple Lane Farm. Originally from Newfoundland, Dillon is the farm manager of this complete breeding equine operation that takes a horse from inception through to the yearling sale or preparation for its racing career.
While the Thoroughbred industry prohibits breeding by artificial insemination, the horse breeds served at Maple Lane, which include many warmblood sport horses, do not have the same restrictions. The farm includes a full-service reproductive veterinary practice, which also serves other farms in the Lexington area. The practice specializes in equine embryo transfers and semen freezing, for which Dillon acts as technician.
Business Lexington
writer Frances Figart interviewed Dillon to learn more about this formative part of the equine industry.
FF (Frances Figart): Growing up in Newfoundland, were you exposed to horses, and did your family support this interest?
DD (Denise Dillon): I did not grow up around horses but have had an affinity for horses since I was a child, a love I probably picked up from my father. I knew in a perfect world I would spend my life working with animals somehow.
My first actual "hands on" experience was with Standardbred race horses. When I was about 15 years old, I had a friend who owned a couple of race horses at the race track in St. John's, Newfoundland; I would go to help him every chance I got.