Darby Dan Farm History

THE PATRIARCH John W. Galbreath was born August 10, 1897 in Derby, Ohio. He graduated from Ohio University in 1922 the same year he founded the John W. Galbreath Company. "To be successful in life you have to love people", and that's what Mr. Galbreath did best! He was not only a gentleman's, philanthropist, and keen businessman, but was named "Greatest Sportsman Of Our Time" in 1985 by The Columbus Touchdown Club at their annual gala. John passed away July 20th 1988.

DARBY DAN FARM was founded by John W. Galbreath in 1935. Over the years, the Galbreath family has built Darby Dan from the original 85 acres to the current 4,000 acres.  This includes 750 acres of blue grass pasture, 250 acres in woods, with the remaining 3000 acres in corn, soy beans and wheat fields. The Darby House sits on the original 85 acres.

On the west side of of Big Darby Creek 110 acres have been converted into wild animal preserve.   Animals include zebra, buffalo, deer, elk and antelope roam freely in large fenced pastures. The Galbreath family continue to support wild life preservation and propagation, through their support of Ducks Unlimited, The Nature Conservatory, The World Wild Life Federation and other organizations dedicated to conservation.

Big Darby Creek runs straight through the farm and is a protected designated National and State "Scenic Waterway" that flows through the Darby Plain and extends west and south down the Ohio River into the state of Kentucky. Darby Dan Farm is named for the creek and John's son Dan.

The farm include a 1/8 mile training track plus a six-stall starting gate, used to school the yearlings. There is a thirty-two stall training barn, which incorporates a completely covered 1/8 mile track. In addition, there are 21 other large barns with 100 stalls, a large cattle barn, a breeding barn, and a stallion barn. Also located on the property are 39 houses.

THE GALBREATH RACING LEGACY  
Darby Dan Farm bred and raced Chateaugay, 1963 Kentucky Derby winner, Proud Clarion, 1967 Kentucky Derby winner, Roberto, 1972 English Derby winner and Proud Truth, 1985 Breeder's Cup Classic winner.  In addition, champions Primonetta, Little Current, Tempest Queen and Sunshine Forever were raised and raced under the Darby Dan banner. Darby Dan Farm is one of two places in the world to both breed and own the Derby winners on both sides of the Atlantic Ocean; the Kentucky Derby and the English Derby.

THE PITTSBURGH PIRATES DYNASTY
John Galbreath was the franchise owner of the Pittsburgh Pirates from 1945 to 1985. Under John's tenure the Pirates won three world championships in 1960, 1971 and 1979. Mr. Galbreath was the first owner to break the "Million Dollar Mark" when he signed Dave Parker to a multiple year contract in 1979. He also had the privilege of signing Hall of Fame player Roberto Clemente.  John was often seen at the top of the big hill at Darby Dan Farm in the front seat of his convertible, watching the sun set and listening to the Pirates on the car AM radio.