Taylor Made bloodstock agent Stuart Angus, known for his warm mentorship and industry expertise, left an indelible mark on the Lexington racing community through his generous spirit and passion for thoroughbred racing.
When I arrived in Kentucky in 2019 to work for Taylor Made, I knew nothing about the racehorse industry or Lexington horse sales. My first day on the job was the Keeneland January Sale — a baptism by fire into the thoroughbred world.
Everyone was polite but busy with clients and horses. Stuart found me within 48 hours.
He pressed a steaming cup of tea into my hands, positioned us in front of the space heaters at the stalls, and patiently explained the inner workings of the sales while juggling clients and buyers. From that moment, he never stopped looking out for me.
That night he took me to Shamrock’s. Stuart asked questions that made you feel your story mattered. He ordered my first bourbon on the rocks, and when I couldn’t manage more than a sip, his eyes twinkled as he finished it for me.
“We’ll work on that,” he said with his characteristic grin.
Bourbon became the backdrop of our professional relationship. Through lunches, dinners, and handicapping sessions, Stuart taught me not just how to drink it but how to savor it. Bourbon with Stuart wasn’t about the alcohol — it was about slowing down and enjoying the people at your table.
His mentorship extended beyond social guidance. Six months into my position, Stuart left for a week-long cattle drive in Montana and entrusted me with his entire client portfolio. No check-ins, no second-guessing, just complete confidence. That was Stuart: lifting others up and making them feel capable of exceeding their own expectations.
When my year at Taylor Made concluded, we marked the occasion with a flight of Pappy Van Winkle. The celebration represented not just my time there, but the friendship that had carried me from that first reluctant sip to a bond that felt like family.
Even after my return to Texas, bourbon kept us connected. My collection now includes approximately forty bottles, many selected by Stuart himself and mailed with handwritten notes saying, “You’ll like this one.” The spirits represented his way of ensuring every achievement was properly acknowledged.
One of my final significant memories with Stuart was in Ireland last summer at Liam and Taylor’s wedding. We explored cobblestone streets, visited pubs, sampled whiskeys, watched races, and raised glasses to the simple joy of being present. It was Stuart in his element: good friends beside him, a quality drink in hand, and time enough to appreciate both.
For those who knew him, bourbon will always evoke Stuart’s memory — strong, generous, occasionally fiery, and best savored slowly among friends. Every pour carries his spirit, and every bottle serves as a reminder of the privilege of his friendship.
—Brooke Wharton
