When Dr. Knapp was working on his degree at the University of Kentucky, Secretariat was in his prime, and Dr. Knapp couldn't help but be enchanted by central Kentucky and Thoroughbreds. Although he left Lexington in the mid-seventies to pursue business interests in Texas, he vowed to return when the time was right. Dr. Knapp followed the industry from afar via a subscription to The Blood-Horse. He also developed his criteria for possible farm sites in the Lexington area. In 1989 Dr. Knapp purchased the initial 200 acre piece of land that he would call 'Monticule.'
