U.S. studs fall on hard times

Press, 19 December 1989, Page 38

U.S. studs fall on hard times

After the surprise sale of Stoner Creek’s top sire, French Chef, to Australian interests earlier this year, some other leading North American standardbred studs have fallen on hard times, according to United States media reports. A major shareholding in the former champion racehorse and successful sire, Niatross, was up for

grabs earlier this month. Wainridge Farm, NewJersey, which stood Niatross at its stud for the first time this year at a fee of SUS7SOO, attracting 285 mares, had reportedly matched a bid of SUSI.3S million from Clint and Barbara Galbraith to acquire a larger interest in the stallion. The federal bankruptcy court, handling the case

of Saratoga Standardbred Inc., which owned the syndicate management rights and the nine investor units in Niatross. ruled that Wainridge Farm had the right of first refusal to match the Galbraiths’ bid. since it had signed a lease to stand the stallion at stud. Two years ago, when standing in New York. Niatross was bred with

less than half his firstseason Wainridge amount. 101 mares. Meanwhile. Lana Lobell Farms had a “reorganisation” plan confirmed by the United States bankruptcy court last month. The highest bid in the sell-off of the former world champion trotter and now- top sire, Speedy Somolli, was SUS4.S million earlier this month.