WinStar Farm announced today that it has secured an NIL deal with University of Kentucky basketball player Reed Sheppard to promote WinStar stallion Life Is Good.

A freshman guard for John Calipari’s Wildcats, Sheppard was Mr. Kentucky Basketball in 2023 and a McDonald’s All-American. Also honored as the 2022 Kentucky Gatorade Player of the Year, Sheppard is off to a fast start for the Wildcats (20-8) this season.

With March Madness on the horizon, Sheppard is averaging 12.5 points per game, 4.4 rebounds, and 4.3 assists in the 2023-24 season. A native of London, Ky., Sheppard is the son of Jeff and Stacey Sheppard, both of whom played college basketball at UK. Jeff was the Most Outstanding Player of the 1998 Final Four and won two National Championships.

Sheppard will promote WinStar stallion Life Is Good (Jon Siegel photo)

“Reed Sheppard is all about what we believe in at WinStar,” said Elliott Walden, president, CEO, and racing manager of WinStar Farm. “Being a good teammate [partner], conducting himself with humility, and giving 100% in all he does. We think he is a great fit for Life Is Good and WinStar Farm.”

Life Is Good, Into Mischief’s fastest son, was a four-time Grade 1 winner during his sensational racing career. Standing his second season at stud, Life Is Good bred 192 mares in his initial book, including 70 graded stakes winner or graded stakes producers and 25 Grade 1 winners/producers.

Life Is Good was an effortless winner of the Grade 1 Woodward Stakes; an uncontested winner of the Grade 1 Whitney Stakes; and a dominant winner of the Pegasus World Cup over Horse of the Year Knicks Go. His biggest career victory came in the $1 million Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile, a race he won by 5 ¾ lengths — the largest margin of victory at the 2021 Breeders’ Cup.

All told, Life Is Good amassed earnings of $4,541,700 for CHC Inc. and WinStar Farm and won nine of 12 career starts. He stands for $85,000 S&N. His first in-foal mares commanded up to $1.2 million, $800,000, etc. For more information on Life Is Good, contact Liam O’Rourke, Olivia Desch, or Ben Hanley at (859) 873-1717, or visit www.winstarfarm.com.