John and Debby Oxley have achieved remarkable success as Thoroughbred breeders and owners, exemplified by their 2024 Breeders’ Cup Classic winner, Sierra Leone. Their breeding program, centered at Fawn Leap Farm, has produced multiple generations of elite racehorses, including Kentucky Derby winner Monarchos, champion mare Beautiful Pleasure, and notable stallions like Sky Mesa and Classic Empire. The Oxleys’ careful selection and breeding strategies, such as acquiring the filly Darling My Darling and developing her lineage through offspring like Forever Darling and Heavenly Love, have created a lasting and thriving family of racehorses excelling at the highest levels internationally.

Sierra Leone, a colt by Gun Runner out of Heavenly Love, embodies the Oxleys’ breeding vision, having earned over $6 million with top finishes in major races including the Kentucky Derby, Belmont Stakes, and Breeders’ Cup Classic. The Oxleys continue to cultivate this legacy with promising progeny like My Ariabella, Sierra Leone’s full sister, and other young horses at Fawn Leap Farm. Their dedication to breeding not only sustains their racing success but also deepens their emotional connection to the sport, as they cherish the enduring impact of their bloodlines on Thoroughbred racing.