The board of directors of the Thoroughbred Owners of California unanimously voted to appoint owner John G. Sikura to fill the vacant seat of Nick Alexander, subject to full board ratification at the upcoming Jan. 30 meeting. Sikura is president of Hill 'n' Dale Farms in Kentucky and is one of the leading horsemen in the Thoroughbred breeding and racing industry in America.
His late father, John Sikura Jr., inducted into the Canadian Horse Racing Hall of Fame in 2013, founded Hill 'n' Dale Farms north of Toronto in the late 1960s. He later bought a farm in central Kentucky, and young Sikura took over those operations. Hill n' Dale relocated to the historic 1,500-acre Xalapa farm in 2022. There they stand stallions such as Curlin and are both commercial breeders and major consignors at public auction. In addition, John is also an accomplished Thoroughbred owner. He has campaigned many graded stakes winners, including Richi, who captured the 2025 Santa Maria Stakes (G2) and Las Flores Stakes (G3) at Santa Anita Park for Hill 'n' Dale and co-owner Stud Vendaval.
"I have a great love for California racing dating to my youth attending Santa Anita with my father when Charlie Whittingham was our trainer," Sikura said. "I currently have horses with Bob Baffert, and I can think of no more important issue than the sustenance of California breeding and racing. We must face the challenges with courage and in collaboration with industry and political agencies that can help our quest. California is of historic importance to our industry and we must prevail."
TOC chairman Gary Fenton said, "The TOC Board already reflects the full spectrum of California ownership ... small owners, large owners, and California owner/breeders. By welcoming John, we add something new and critically important: a nationally respected owner/breeder with a broad, long-term perspective on the sport. John understands how California fits within the broader ecosystem of American racing, and his voice will help connect regions, align interests, and strengthen California's role in the sport's future."
To fulfill a TOC bylaws requirement, Sikura will be required to run in the next election.
Alexander had served on the board since 2013, as chairman from 2016-21. He founded Nick Alexander Imports in Los Angeles and operates a horse ranch in Santa Ynez, Calif. He has raced Thoroughbreds in California for more than 40 years and is among the top five California breeders of 2025 by earnings. He bred and owns Grazen, leading California-based stakes sire of 2023, 2024, and 2025 standing at Eclipse Thoroughbred Training and Sports Therapy.
