Tales from the Crib: Nearly

Mar 24, 2026 Kellie Reilly/Brisnet.com

Nearly loved to play ball

Nearly loved to play "soccer" with the ball (Photo courtesy of Kristine Gibbons/Wind Hill Farm)

In racing parlance, a “nearly horse” is one who keeps going close in big races without managing to win. So far, that definition has nothing to do with the Kentucky Derby (G1) contender named Nearly, who has romped in three straight including the Holy Bull (G3) at Gulfstream Park.

Indeed, the colt’s original name was Prospecting Time, drawn from his parents, hot sire Not This Time and the mare Ib Prospecting. After selling for $350,000 as a Keeneland September yearling, he was renamed by his new connections, Centennial Farms.

Yet there is another sense in which “nearly” does fit the colt’s background. If not for the perseverance of his breeder, Kristine Gibbons of Wind Hill Farm in Florida, Nearly might not be here – and we wouldn’t have the pleasure of seeing him play his own version of soccer!

A horse lover from her youth, when reading Walter Farley’s Black Stallion series, Gibbons set out to fulfill her dream of breeding and raising Thoroughbreds. It took time, and the resources from her career as a tax attorney, to turn that dream into a reality – Wind Hill Farm that she operates along with her husband, Howard.

But once Gibbons was ready to begin her adventure in Thoroughbred breeding, she struck gold early on with To the Hunt. An inspired broodmare purchase, To the Hunt went on to foal multiple Grade 1-winning millionaires Starrer and Stellar Jayne. Both were sold as youngsters, in keeping with Wind Hill’s business model as a small operation.

Another successful acquisition, Romanticat, produced 1998 Spinaway (G1) winner Things Change. Romanticat also became the granddam of Wind Hill-bred Hero of Order, who shocked the 2012 Louisiana Derby (G2) at odds of 109-1. Hero of Order was a bargain-basement yearling with more of a blue-collar pedigree, unlike the well-bred Nearly.

Nearly’s dam (mother), Ib Prospecting, did not run up to her bloodlines for her racetrack owners. She descended into claiming races – where others can step in to “claim” a horse for the listed price.

That gave Gibbons an opportunity to acquire a filly with broodmare potential stamped all over her. The only problem was that Ib Prospecting proved to be popular at the claim box. As Blood-Horse reported, Gibbons twice tried to claim her, only to lose out to rival connections.

Persistence paid off. Gibbons (through trainer Paddy Gallagher) at last snared her for a $25,000 claiming tag at Del Mar on Aug. 1, 2018. Ib Prospecting never raced again, with her new life beckoning at Wind Hill Farm.

Hailing from a productive female line, hinting that she could produce runners herself, Ib Prospecting also sported a nifty pedigree pattern. By Horse of the Year Mineshaft, himself a royally-bred son of A.P. Indy, she was out of a mare by Summer Squall, the 1990 Preakness (G1) winner. Because Summer Squall was A.P. Indy’s half-brother, Ib Prospecting is inbred to their dam, Weekend Surprise, a blueblood daughter of Secretariat.

As Not This Time emerged as an exciting sire who would match well with her, Ib Prospecting visited him. Sadly, she lost her pregnancy.

Once again, Gibbons had to persevere in her conviction, and she sent Ib Prospecting to Not This Time again the following breeding season. This time, their mating did have a happy result – a dark bay colt who arrived on Feb. 20, 2023.

“Nearly was extremely independent from the day he was born,” Gibbons recalled. “Other than when he was hungry and wanted to nurse, he would wander around like he owned the pasture!

“And Ib Prospecting was very smart. She didn’t insist he stay close like some mares do.”

A “curious” colt, he also took his cue from Ib Prospecting when it came to snacking.

“He was nibbling on small pieces of carrots and Mrs. Pastures treats before he was six months because that’s what mom did!”

Nearly as a youngster at Wind Hill Farm

Nearly as a youngster at Wind Hill Farm (Photo courtesy of Kristine Gibbons)

Nearly was especially loveable for his outgoing, playful nature.

“The most fun is his personality,” Gibbons added. “He would run right up to us as soon as we opened the gate, like hey, I’m here—play with me! Maybe a spoiled brat, but that’s always what we want!”

Perhaps his favorite interactive game was soccer. Nearly intuited how to play with the ball, not only entertaining himself with his own fancy footwork and headshots, but launching it over the fence to entice his human friends into the action.

Nearly strikes a pose for his conformation shot

Nearly strikes a pose for his conformation shot (Photo courtesy of Kristine Gibbons/Wind Hill Farm)

The yearling had to attend to more serious business as well, preparing for his tour in the sales ring at Keeneland September. He was offered through the consignment of Denali Stud, the longtime residence of Hall of Famer Serena’s Song (who recently passed away at the age of 34).

The colt attracted the attention of the Centennial Farms inspection team, including Dr. Stephen Carr and Paula Parsons, who trains the youngsters in Middleburg, Virginia, before they graduate to their racetrack trainers.

For more than 40 years, Centennial has formed racing partnerships that help people become involved in ownership. Operated by Donald Little Jr., whose father founded it, Centennial has campaigned a series of major winners. Among its leading colorbearers are Colonial Affair, the 1993 Belmont (G1) hero; champion Rubiano; Corinthian, the 2007 Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile winner; and Grade 1 stars Preservationist, his son Antiquarian, and Wicked Strong (the fourth-placer in the 2014 Kentucky Derby).

Nearly was ready to join Hall of Fame trainer Todd Pletcher last July, but he didn’t start until October at Aqueduct. Although he wound up an anticlimactic sixth on debut, he turned the corner next time out at Gulfstream with a 9 1/4-length rout versus fellow Florida-breds. Nearly followed up with an impressive allowance win, despite getting clobbered by a rival coming out of the gate.

Nearly’s first try on the Road to the Kentucky Derby, the Jan. 31 Holy Bull, marked both his stakes and two-turn debut. He aced it by 5 3/4 lengths, setting himself up for a tilt at Saturday’s Florida Derby (G1).

If Nearly advances to the Kentucky Derby, he’ll try to become the seventh Florida-bred to wear the roses. Affirmed, the 1978 Triple Crown champion, tops the list that also includes Needles (1956), Carry Back (1961), Foolish Pleasure (1975), Unbridled (1990), and most recently Silver Charm (1997).

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