Casner Racing, LP

BILL CASNER

Birthdate: March 12, 1948

Residences: Texas and Kentucky

Family: wife, Sue; daughters, Kayce and Karri. Daughter Karri was killed in the terrorist bombing in Indonesia in 2002.

Bill Casner began his career training a few low level claimers at small tracks in the Southwest before temporarily leaving the horses for other business ventures. In 1988, he founded the telecommunications giant Excel Communications with Kenny Troutt, and the pair would later start the 1,700-acre WinStar Farm in Kentucky, which is one of North America’s leading racing and breeding operations. He also started The Race For Education, which provides scholarships for people in the industry.

Casner had a banner year in 2010 when WinStar won the Kentucky Derby with homebred Super Saver and the Belmont with Drosselmeyer, and the farm won the Eclipse Award for outstanding owner. In October 2010, he sold his interest in WinStar to Troutt but remains one of the farm’s biggest clients.

His other top horses include Dubai World Cup winner Well Armed and Travers Stakes victor Colonel John.