Tommy Eastham - Partner
Born and raised in the
heart of the bluegrass, Tommy has always had a great love for horses. As a
young man, Tommy worked on two of the area's finest Thoroughbred farms. While
working on these farms Tommy learned everything he could about horses and their
care. More importantly, he learned how hard work and dedication are the
cornerstones to any successful business.
In 2001 his passion for horses led him to Taylor
Made Farm where he started as a Barn Foreman in the yearling complex. There he
worked with such champions as ASHADO, VALUE PLUS and SMOKEY GLACKEN. Following
the September sales, Tommy was promoted to Assistant Director of Public Sales
where he was put in charge of marketing and recruiting, as well as budgeting
and organizing. With this experience, Tommy decided to launch a bloodstock
agency that focused on quality representation and complete dedication to his
clients' needs.
Tommy and his wife, Wyndee are blessed with four
beautiful children, Olivia Ann, Thomas Joseph (T.J.), McCoy Carter, and Levi
Thomas.
Mark Toothaker - Partner
Originally
from Van Buren, Arkansas, Mark has been involved in the Thoroughbred industry
for most of his professional career. He has more than 20 years experience in
the thoroughbred industry and has worked for trainers such as Joe Cantey, D.
Wayne Lukas, and Gerald Romero. He owned and managed Tooth-Acres Farm in Lavaca,
Arkansas and most recently, Mark had managed Liberty Farm, which sold Breeders'
Cup Mile [G1] winner KIP DEVILLE and multiple stakes winner HUCKIE. He has also
been involved in several pinhooking ventures.
He joined the Legacy team at the end of 2006 and
since that time he has assisted the company in selling sales topping yearlings
in multiple sales.
Mark and his wife, Mallory have three beautiful
children, Reagan Michelle, Hunter, and Luke Michael.
Kristin Purdy - Sales Director
Kristin was born in
Michigan where her love for horses began at an early age. She moved to Kentucky
in 1999 where she was able to pursue her dream of working with horses. She
began working at Airdrie Stud in the broodmare division and later with
yearlings at WinStar Farm where she gained invaluable experience prepping yearlings.
Kristin graduated Cum Laude with a Bachelor of Science degree in Organizational
Communication and Equine Science from Murray State University. She was one of
the first Race for Education scholarship recipients and a NCAA captain for a
division one team. Her education and leadership, combined with her experience
on the farm, made her well equipped to join the Legacy team.
She has been working with Tommy since the inception
of the company and is responsible for marketing and advertising, managing
communications with clients, and coordinating sales.
Nicole Smith - Accounting and Office Management
Niki’s love for horses also began at a young age. She followed her passion to Kentucky from her hometown near Chicago in 2000 to pursue a degree at the University of Kentucky in Animal Science, with the Equine Option. She became involved with a Thoroughbred retirement organization during her college years as a volunteer and intern where she eventually accepted a full time position after graduating in 2004. In 2007 she began her own computer consulting
business and working various horse sales throughout the year.
She first teamed up with Legacy during the
2007 November Keeneland Sale. A year later she became a permanent member of the Legacy team. Her primary responsibilities are overseeing the company finances and managing the website. She also participates in the sales by doing a lot of behind the scenes preparation.
In addition to her position with Legacy, Niki is also the Executive Director of The Exceller Fund, a 501©3 dedicated to the safe retirement and retraining of Thoroughbreds following their racing careers. For the 2009/2010 term she also served as the president of The Thorobreds, a social organization for women in the Equine Industry. She is also a member of various other clubs and organizations.
Hal Wiggins
A Houston-area native and graduate of Texas A&M, Hal trained
horses for 34 years. Once a leading trainer at Keeneland in 1998, Wiggins
saddled more than 840 winners and over 15 stakes winners’ in his lifetime. His
biggest stakes winner was Horse of the Year, Rachel Alexandra, who under Hal’s
care won four graded stakes races – including a record-setting 20 ¼-length romp
in the 2009 Kentucky Oaks (G1).
Hal’s vast range of relationships with end-users and owners
in the Thoroughbred industry assist us to better market our clients’ horses, as
well as reach a larger demographic of people in the industry that do not
normally attend Thoroughbred auctions.
Hal and his wife Rene, have two sons – Lon and Whitney – and
several grandchildren.
Julie Dickson
Julie Dickson is a
native of Thomson, Georgia.
With over 35 years of experience in the horse business, her horsemanship skills
are unparalleled.
Julie is Legacy Bloodstock’s key hands-on person at the sales. She is in charge
of sales employee hiring and manages the staff of professional show people that
we have gathered to show and care for the horses in the Legacy consignment. Her
ten years working with foxhunters and show horses ensure that every horse
leaves his stall to show themselves to their best advantage, and that each
horse has the finest in care during the stress of the sale. A consummate
professional, Julie’s extensive expertise and attention to detail play a vital
role in the Legacy Bloodstock team’s success.