Meet The Team
BRET JONES
Vice President
A 2004 graduate of The University of the South (Sewanee) and an alumnus of the Irish National Stud Breeding Course, Bret has been an official member of the Airdrie Stud team since 2006. He works daily with Airdrie's unrivaled managerial team and staff to help ensure that Airdrie's legacy will always be that of a farm that does right by it's people, horses and clients; a reputation earned by Brereton and Libby Jones over the last 50 years.
A Breeders' Cup Board Director since 2011, a commissioner on the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission from 2016-2020, and a founding steering committee member of the Kentucky Thoroughbred Association’s 2020 Campaign - a group developed to educate and give a voice to the industry's under 40 generation, Bret's greatest pride will always be his wife, Tyler, and their four children: B, Jack, Thomas and Wende.
BEN HENLEY
General Manager
Ben joined Airdrie in 2008. A graduate of the Irish National Stud Breeding Course, he brings more than 18 years of international experience in the Thoroughbred industry. Ben has worked at some of the leading farms in Australia, New Zealand, England, Ireland and the United States. He manages the day-to-day operations of Airdrie's six farm divisions, and is responsible for overseeing the highest standards of horsemanship from our stallion operation to the preparation of yearlings to daily mare and foal care, ensuring the maintenance of a quality operation.
Ben can be reached directly at 859-552-7716.
MARK CUNNINGHAM
Farm Manager
Mark came to Airdrie in 1980 from Australia with a degree in Agricultural Science from the University of Adelaide, Roseworthy, and after having attended the Irish National Stud. Supervising all aspects of broodmare care and daily vet rounds, he works closely with Dr. Ben Stivers of Hagyard Equine Medical Institute to ensure optimal herd health.
KRISTINE CULLEN
Office Manager
Kristine was Airdrie's Stallion Administrator for twelve years prior to transitioning into the position of Office Manager. She is responsible for personnel issues and all facets of human resources, insurance, farm billing, and stallion distributions. With a variety of experiences in the Thoroughbred industry over the past several decades, Kristine is well-prepared to handle the scope of her current position.
LAURA SULLIVAN
Stallion Administrator
Laura moved to the Bluegrass in 1996 from Virginia. She has worked with the broodmare departments at Trackside Farm and Shadwell Farm and was the receptionist at Adena Springs before arriving at Airdrie Stud in 2008 as our Equine Administrator. Laura has moved into the demanding and crucial position of Stallion Administrator and is now handling stallion contracts and record keeping, all mare bookings, and assisting with the management of our stallion syndicates.
SHANNON CASTAGNOLA
Director of Sales
Shannon spent the past nine years working for Woodford Thoroughbreds where she helped manage yearling and breeding stock consignments, inspected foals and yearlings monthly to track development, and was part of the mare purchasing team as well as an advisor on broodmare mating plans. Additionally, Shannon was responsible for all marketing content and advertising decisions.
Previously Shannon worked for West Point Thoroughbreds and Taylor Made Farm and Sales.
Shannon grew up in Lexington, KY, and is a graduate of the University of Kentucky with a B.S. in Broadcast Journalism and a minor in Political Science. Shannon has two daughters, Ava who is a freshman at Furman University in Greenville, SC, and Caroline who has started her freshman year at Woodford County High School.
Shannon will work directly with Airdrie Stud clients to discuss breeding plans for their mares and assist them with stallion contracts. She will offer stallion inspections, and will follow up when foals are born. Shannon will also be a significant presence on the sales grounds and at each Airdrie Stud consignment.
KYLE JOHNSON
Bloodstock Services
Originally from New Hampshire, Kyle grew up working with various rescue horses and at riding centers. He moved to Kentucky in 2010 to attend the University of Kentucky. A variety of internships exposed him to yearling prep, mare & foal care, stallion handling, and racehorse rehabilitation. Following college Kyle worked at farms like Claiborne, Newgate Stud in Australia, Brookdale, and Shadwell before joining the team at Airdrie in 2022.