Center Ranch’s roots trace back to father/son duo Finis and Sam Welch. Finis, raised a stockman who later became one of the world’s foremost economists, wanted to connect with his son, Sam, so the two embarked on small-scale breeding and ranching operation that soon exceeded all of their expectations. Sam was killed in an auto accident, and Finis was inspired to continue with Sam’s dream.

In 2008, the ranch purchased Woody Be Tuff (Nitas Wood x Tuffs Junie x Tuff Lena), an NRCHA Two Million Dollar sire now owned by Solo Select/Kaleb Terlip. The ranch has since dispersed since Finis’ death in 2020.

Top performers bred by Center Ranch include Zak 34 (Woody Be Tuff x Cat Digs Lucinda x High Brow Cat; 2021 NRCHA Snaffle Bit Futurity® Open Champion), with nearly $270,000 in NRCHA lifetime earnings; CR Hes A Tuff One (Woody Be Tuff x Cat Digs Lucinda x High Brow Cat; 2022 NRCHA Derby Open Champion), with more than $172,000 in NRCHA lifetime earnings; and CR Tuffles N Lace (Woody Be Tuff x Calie Del Rey x Dual Rey), with more than $134,000 in NRCHA lifetime earnings.