Centaur Farms, Inc.

Owner(s): Vernon Heath
Born: Feb. 1, 1929, Princeton, Minn.
Residence: Edina, Minn.
Family: wife Iona; sons Brad and Randall, daughter Robin.
Education: Earned a bachelor’s degree in business from the University of Minnesota in 1950
Professional Background: Polio, which put him on crutches at age eight, prevented him from taking over the family dairy farm … Instead, he was the first member of his family to attend college … With Dr. Frank Werner founded Rosemount Engineering Company (now Rosemount Inc.) in 1956 which produces specialized instruments for the jet, space and aeronautical industries … Company was acquired by Emerson Electric during the 1970s; Heath stayed on as president and CEO through 1991 and as Chairman of the Board through 1994 … Also started Rosemount Office Systems, Inc., a supplier of office furniture, in 1966, bought it back from Emerson Electric in 1994 … Retired from that in 2004
Racing Background: Became acquainted with plow horses while growing up on a farm during the Depression … When polio struck, father provided him a horse and buggy to get around the farm … Bitten by the racing bug in the 1980s while watching the success of his friend Bentley Smith, son-in-law of Frances Genter … It was Heath's plane that flew Genter to the 1990 Kentucky Derby, won memorably by her Unbridled … Through Smith and Genter met Scott Dudley of Dudley Farm who had a major impact on his racing career until his death in 2003. Also gives credit to Michael O’Farrell of Ocala Stud, where Heath breaks his horses
Breeding/Racing Operation: Owns 16 broodmares, kept in Kentucky at Three Chimneys Farm and in Florida at Dudley Farm and Ocala Stud ... As a breeder, Heath concentrates on families, often breeding homebred stallions to homebred mares and racing the offspring. Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile runner-up Gottcha Gold is one of them ... In 1986, Heath bought his first horses, a small group of broodmares and a juvenile colt named Prospector's Halo, who later became his first horse to race and a multiple stakes winner … Prospector's Halo sired Lone Star Derby winner Tahkodha Hills for Heath … Bought Par Three in foal to Spend a Buck. Resulting foal was Adhocracy, who earned nearly $500,000 during his racing career … Par Three also produced 1995 Arlington Breeders' Cup Handicap winner Golden Par for Heath … Golden Par, in turn, produced My Golden Song who, Heath said, gave him his biggest thrill. Following a third to Barbaro in the 2006 Holy Bull Stakes, My Golden Song was highly ranked among Kentucky Derby contenders … Best horse to carry Centaur silks was homebred Exogenous, who captured the 2001 Gazelle and Beldame. The daughter of Unbridled was among the favorites for the Breeders' Cup Distaff when she flipped en route to the track, suffering head trauma that required her to be euthanized six days later … Another top Centaur homebred was Valid Forbes who captured two-thirds of the 2000 Florida Stallion Stakes series at Calder … Maintains about 12 horses in training with trainers Todd Pletcher, Eddie Plesa Jr. and Merrill Scherer ... Centaur Farms is named for the half-man, half-horse creature from Greek mythology. “This business is half man and half horse,” he explained. “Neither works without the other.” … Heath was named 2001 Owner-Breeder of the year in the Midwest by the Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association ... Adhrhythm, who ran seventh in the 2006 Juvenile Fillies has been Heath's only previous Breeders' Cup starter.