Published: Aug. 8, 2012 at 11:04 PM CDT|Updated: Aug. 9, 2012 at 2:40 AM CDT

BALLARD COUNTY, KY (KFVS) - Randy Williams said most of his life was in his barn last spring when a tornado wiped out his home near La Center.

Almost three dozen race horses were in the barn without a scratch on them.

For a boy that loved horses but couldn't afford a pony Randy Williams says he's living a blessed life well beyond his wildest dreams.

"I wouldn't trade it for anything in the world," Williams said.

He and his wife Gwen have 35 quarter horses build for racing and a facility tucked away in Ballard County.

All, they say thanks to hundreds of thousands of dollars in winnings over the past 25 years.

Their specialty is American quarter horses. They are built strong for shorter distances than thoroughbreds.

"Most of our horses now have tremendous talent. But the great ones are separated by how big his heart is and how bad he wants to win," Williams said.

They love them all, but if you get Randy talking about this big winner- its Special Shoe.

Randy gets a different look in his eye. They adore the horse.

Not because they say he practically built their stables and operation on his $880,000 in winnings, but because of his heart.

Officially known as WRS Special Shoe, he'll return to a stall in Ballard County on Saturday. The horse is 10 years old and now retired.

Now they want to produce the next horse to fill his shoes. For that they turn to Kool Quick Kid who is their stallion and another big winner.

Gwen says there's just something about watching a foal from birth, caring for it every day and then seeing it race down the track a winner.

"If we love 'em and take care of 'em they'll do anything for you," said Gwen.

Every horse on the farm gets a chance at the track.

They hardly ever sell their horses.

They follow thoroughbred racing like you'd see in the Kentucky Derby, but they found their niche with quarter horses.

After the tornado, they have a temporary home on site. But, they hope to have a permanent home rebuilt in the next two years.

Copyright 2012 KFVS. All rights reserved.

https://www.kfvs12.com/story/19231845/la-center-couple-thankful-prize-horses-are-okay-after-tornado/