Winchell Thoroughbreds and Three Chimneys Farm

Joan Winchell and her son, Ron, are partners in Winchell Thoroughbreds, continuing the family's prominent racing and breeding operation started by the late Verne Winchell, Joan's husband and Ron's father. Verne Winchell, who died in 2002 at the age of 87, founded the donut company Winchell's and later was the CEO and chairman of the Denny's restaurant chain.

Through the years, Winchell runners have included champions Mira Femme and Tight Spot and the accomplished runners Pyro, Donut King, Olympio, Sea Cadet, Fleet Renee, Valiant Nature, On Target and Exetera. Winchell Thoroughbreds was a breeder of Paddy O'Pado, the Donegal Racing colt who finished third in the Kentucky Derby and won graded turf stakes. The Winchells also raced Tapit, now a leading sire, in partnership. Their homebred Tapit colt, Tapizar, won the Grade 3 Sham Stakes in 2011 and was a Derby prospect, but had to be taken out of training to remove a chip in his left knee. He later won multiple graded stakes and now stands at Gainesway Farm in Kentucky.

Winchell Thoroughbreds bred and owns 2014 Kentucky Derby hopeful Tapiture, who earned a place in the starting gate by performing well in the Southwest Stakes, Rebel Stakes, and Arkansas Derby. They also campaign homebred and top 2014 Kentucky Oaks contender Untapable.

Three Chimneys Farm is one of the leading Thoroughbred breeding operations in Central Kentucky. The Midway, Ky. farm was founded by Robert and Blythe Clay more than 40 years ago and oversaw prominent stallions such as Seattle Slew, Dynaformer and Rahy. The Borges Torrealba family in November 2013 acquired a controlling interest in Three Chimneys. Gonçalo Borges Torrealba serves as its chairman, Doug Cauthen is the vice chairman and the operation also is guided by Directors Ana Borges Torrealba Affonso, Robert Clay, Dr. Ibrahim Eris, Dr. Stephen Jackson and Everett Dobson. Three Chimneys currently stands seven stallions, including champion Will Take Charge and 2013 Belmont Stakes winner Palace Malice.

In 2016 and 2017, Winchell and Three Chimneys partnered to campaign Gun Runner, third-place finisher in the 2016 Kentucky Derby who later won the Clark Handicap. In 2017 the horse finished second behind Arrogate in the Dubai World Cup.