Brent Fernung has been involved in the Florida Thoroughbred industry for more than 45 years and with his wife Crystal, owns and operates Journeyman Stud, home to Florida’s leading sire Khozan, St Patrick’s Day and Chance It.
Fernung’s career began at Lasater Farm during its late 1970s heyday through 1984. Fernung also served as Franks Farm/Southland Division farm manager and was general manager at Cloverleaf Farm.
In 1989, the Fernungs established Journeyman Bloodstock Services.
Just a month before Lil E. Tee won the 1992 Kentucky Derby (Grade 1), Fernung purchased his dam, Eileen’s Moment.
As agent for Cloverleaf Farms II, Fernung purchased I’ll Get Along as a broodmare for $130,000 at Keeneland in 2001 and her weanling that year would become 2004 Kentucky Derby and Preakness (G1)-winner Smarty Jones. Later that year, Fernung, as agent, sold I’ll Get Along for $5 million, the highest priced broodmare at public auction that year.
In 2006, Fernung, as agent, purchased Congrats as a stallion prospect for Cloverleaf Farms. Congrats went on to be the leading first crop sire in North America in 2010. Fernung also stood Wildcat Heir at Journeyman through his many years as Florida’s leading sire.
Fernung is a past president of the FTBOA, having served the maximum of three years in that position. He was also named the 2004 Florida Farm Manager of the Year.
