Kellyn Gorder

A Native of Minnesota, Kellyn Gorder rode his first winner at Atokad Park at the age of 16. He attended the University of Wisconsin where he studied Equine Science and it was in college when Kellyn was inspired by Ray Hunt’s methodologies of natural horsemanship that he still uses to this day.

Following college graduation, Kellyn moved to California where he broke yearlings at Harris Farms. He then joined Jack Van Berg's Oaklawn division as a rider and foreman. Kellyn came to Lexington to oversee the training division of the 505 Farm, eventually becoming a licensed trainer and campaigning the Sunset Handicap (G2) winner Grammarian. During this time Kellyn was able to spend time in California with John Sherrifs, trainer of Zenyatta. He then spent 7 years as a farm trainer for Winstar, where he started and developed many stakes winning horses including Colonel John, Well Armed, Hold Me Back, Court Vision, Advice, Drosselmeyer, Bluegrass Cat, Any Given Saturday and the winner of the 135th Kentucky Derby, Super Saver.

In 2008, he went out on his own establishing a fast growing public stable. He ended 2012 as 96th in the trainer’s list according to money earned, 74th as number of wins, and a solid 56% strike rate in the top three.  Kellyn was also able to add the title of multiple graded stakes winning trainer to his 2012 year campaign with Bourbon Courage’s Super Derby (G2) win. Kellyn added another graded stakes to his resume with General Election’s Arlington Classic (G3) win. IN 2018, he won the Grade 2 Black-Eyed Susan Stakes with Red Ruby.