Kentucky gentleman: Bill Daugherty

Daugherty’s quiet demeanor belies the fact that he is an owner of one of the winningest racehorse in history (California Chrome); leads one of the largest oil and natural gas companies in the state; and has achieved more honors from his state, alma mater, and industry than most of us could hope for in a lifetime. But this Kentucky gentleman lights up when talking about flying. It’s a passion he got into later in life and somewhat by chance; however, it’s the spark that adds great depth to his life.

“Aviation plays an important role in both my personal and business experiences,” Daugherty said. “I’ve accumulated a wonderful circle of friends through aviation and both of my sons are pilots. I also understand how important general aviation is in the business world. We do business in areas that are not easily accessible by the airlines or that are a long distance to drive.”

Daugherty stumbled into aviation with a couple of friends in 1981 when the threesome bought a 1979 Cessna 152 with 10 hours total time and a bent tail. With no prior experience, the group had the airplane repaired, started lessons, and “flew the heck out of it,” he said.

Since that time his aviation passion has grown alongside his passion for the Kentucky horse industry. He and his wife, Zella, live in Lexington (ask him about how his early-age marriage to Zella nearly got him kicked out of Berea College) and his family is involved in his equine business named the same as his oil and gas business, BlackRidge. In addition to accumulating time and owning several fixed-wing aircraft, Daugherty has fallen in love with helicopters. He uses his Robinson R44 (he’s owned seven) like most of us use our cars. “I started flying helicopters so I didn’t have to spend so much time driving to visit our field operations,” he said. “Being able to do so allowed me to convert a three-hour drive into a 40-minute flight, essentially freeing up half of my day.”

Is there a connection between aviation and the horse industry? “It was not intended,” he said. “But several of our business partners in both oil and gas and horses own their own airplanes. Our connection in aviation certainly gives us camaraderie outside of our business relationships.”