From a 12-year-old polo pony loving kid to one of the most respected farm managers in Thoroughbred racing, Danny Shifflett certainly has earned his recognition in the Texas Horse Racing Hall of Fame. Born in Central Virginia, Shifflett remembers watching the University of Virginia Polo team practice and as a young teenager, would ride his bicycle to William Farish's Lane's End Farm and hot walk and exercise horses. In the summer, he played polo and began a four year decade association with Farish, interrupted for two years in 1966 when he was drafted and went to Vietnam serving our country in the communications and intelligence unit. Discharged in 1968, Shifflett rejoined Lane's End, first playing polo in Kansas, Connecticut and Texas. In 1975, Farish bought Huisache Farm in Hempstead, Texas, renaming it Lane's End Texas. Shifflett took on the role of farm manager with a small stallion roster, which grew to prominence when Farish joined forces with Lee and Bob Ackerley, Joe Archer, Greg Goodman and Robert McNair to acquire the prolific stallion Valid Expectations, In the late 1990's Valid Expectations covered over 100 mares each season. He was the leading sire in Texas for many years and recognized as the top North American freshman stallion in 2001. In 2013, Valid Expectations passed 1983 Kentucky Derby winner Sunny’s Halo as the all-time Texas stallion by progeny earnings.
Shifflett had tremendous respect for both Farish and McNair, who took over Lane's End Texas and remained committed to breeding quality Thoroughbreds. There was no "cowboy mentality" at Lane's End, where each weanling was halter broke at a very early age and uniformed attendants walked the mares and their babies to their paddocks each morning. Shifflett credits Mocha Express as one of the best and called Direct Dial one of the neatest horses bred at Lane's End Texas. While he might have had his doubts that a son of Rubiano could be a major force in Texas racing, Too Much Bling dispelled any doubts when he sired 65 stakes winners.
Shifflett, who resides in Waller, TX, served on the TTA Board of Directors from 1992–1994, 1997– 1998 as well as 2009–2011.
Shifflett had tremendous respect for both Farish and McNair, who took over Lane's End Texas and remained committed to breeding quality Thoroughbreds. There was no "cowboy mentality" at Lane's End, where each weanling was halter broke at a very early age and uniformed attendants walked the mares and their babies to their paddocks each morning. Shifflett credits Mocha Express as one of the best and called Direct Dial one of the neatest horses bred at Lane's End Texas. While he might have had his doubts that a son of Rubiano could be a major force in Texas racing, Too Much Bling dispelled any doubts when he sired 65 stakes winners.
Shifflett, who resides in Waller, TX, served on the TTA Board of Directors from 1992–1994, 1997– 1998 as well as 2009–2011.