Hill 'n' Dale Farms Horse Nurseries

Hill 'n' Dale Farms was established in 1960 by John Sikura Jr., who emigrated from Czechoslovakia to Canada during his teenage years. Over 35 years, he engaged in the buying and selling of thoroughbred horses, ultimately leading to the establishment of Hill 'n' Dale horse farm in Ontario, Canada. 

Initially a modest operation, the farm emerged during the era of the renowned Windfields Farm, managed by E. P. Taylor, from where the legendary Northern Dancer and his progeny originated. Hill 'n' Dale included a breeding division for pedigree horses, a racing stallion sector, and a commercial division for the resale of thoroughbreds.

As his business grew, John Sikura expanded by acquiring a horse farm in Kentucky, aiming to eventually pass the business on to his sons, John and Glenn. Tragically, in 1994, John Sikura Jr. died in a fire-related incident involving his parked Cadillac, leading to numerous rumours and conspiracy theories. However, a five-month investigation upheld the original police conclusion that it was an unfortunate accident.

Following their father's passing, his two sons divided the operations: R. Glenn Sikura took charge of the Canadian branch, while John G. Sikura managed the American side.

Hill 'n' Dale Farms, Canada

Situated in King City, Ontario, the Canadian branch of Hill 'n' Dale primarily specialises in commercial Thoroughbred breeding. The farm also assists Canadian clients in the U.S. market, catering to breeders and individuals involved in the buying and selling of horses. 

Continuing the legacy of John Sikura Jr., the farm maintains a small stable of racehorses that actively compete. Hill 'n' Dale serves as a broker for various prestigious races, including all Toronto Stakes, most Kentucky Stakes, and the Saratoga Stakes.

The farm has built a reputation as a prominent supplier to the Stakes market, having sold 152 horses as of 2024. Many of these were bred on-site, including notable winners like Coronation Futurity champion Aheadbyacentury and Canadian Oaks winner Blondeinamotel. Managed by Glenn Sikura, the stud farm has successfully foaled over 1,500 mares for clients across North America.

R. Glenn Sikura has served as the chief steward of the Jockey Club of Canada since 2018 and has held significant roles in various racing industry organisations. In 2023, he was honoured as an honorary member of the Canadian Racing Hall of Fame for his impactful contributions as a thoroughbred owner, breeder, and sales agent. He joins two other Sikuras, his father and brother John, who were previously inducted into the Canadian Hall of Fame.

Hill 'n' Dale Farms USA

Following the passing of his father, John G. Sikura took charge of the Kentucky horse farm. Until 2020, the operation was situated in Lexington, Kentucky. In 2019, John acquired Xalapa Farm, a historic estate located 33 miles east of the original site, near Paris, Kentucky.

John had long been invited to visit Xalapa and had heard about its stunning beauty, just an hour's drive away. However, his busy schedule and natural scepticism had kept him from exploring it. Having seen numerous beautiful horse farms, John questioned what could possibly set this one apart.

Eventually, John visited Xalapa and was captivated; he instantly fell in love with the property. “It’s unlike anything I’ve ever seen. The architecture is incredible. Even though the place was abandoned and needed investment, the potential was clear.” After acquiring Xalapa Farm, he employed 100 workers who dedicated 14 months to restoring and revitalizing the historic estate. Established in 1827, the farm's legacy of horse breeding was preserved. Extensive fencing was erected, old buildings and stables were refurbished, new structures were added, and roads and utilities were constructed. The landscape design beautifully highlighted the area’s natural charm. The farm became known as "Hill 'n' Dale at Xalapa," evolving into a world-class establishment.

However, it’s not just the stunning scenery that has garnered the stables acclaim. The farm is renowned for its high-value foals, broodmares, and potential mares, each priced at $1 million and above. These exceptional horses are offspring of celebrated champions like Curlin, Tapit, War Front, and Ghostzapper.

"Hill 'n' Dale at Xalapa" holds breeding rights to some of the world’s most expensive stallions. Curlin is notable for being the only sire to have produced three champion offspring in a single year, with a stud fee of $225,000. His son, Good Magic, commands a stud fee of $125,000, with his progeny earning $9.5 million in 2023. Ghostzapper, who has a stud fee of $75,000, is the sire of several G1 winners, including Moira and Our Flash Drive. The farm boasts a sire fee of $40,000 for Maclean's Music Stakes horses. Charlatan, with career earnings of $4,047,200, has a stud fee of $50,000. Hill 'n' Dale at Xalapa is also home to esteemed stallions such as Arabian Knight, Army Mule, Kantharos, Loggings, Midnight Lute, and Violence.