Hilbert Dispersal, Announced Monday, Now Cancelled

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One day after it was announced, the dispersal of 25 horses owned by Stephen and Tomisue Hilbert has been canceled because of "unforeseen timing complications," according to William S. Farish's Lane's End Farm, which was in charge of preparing the horses for sale.

Included among the horses that were to be sold as part of the Fasig-Tipton winter mixed sale Feb. 11 were stallion Stephen Got Even, winner of the 2000 Donn Handicap (gr. I); Tomisue's Delight, winner of the 1997 Ruffian (gr. I) and 1998 Personal Ensign (gr. I) Handicaps; and Roberto's Gal, the dam of 1998 Hopeful Stakes (gr. I) winner Lucky Roberto.

Boyd Browning, FTK executive vice president chief executive officer, said the sales company was surprised when notified of the development. "We were surprised and regret that it happened," said Browning, noting that no additional information was given for the cancellation. "I can tell you, with the amount of interest that had already been shown in a short period of time, those horses would have sold well. We are very disappointed."

Browning said at least one major international buyer had gone to Lane's End earlier Tuesday to look at the Hilbert horses.

Stephen Got Even stood his first season at stud last year at Lane's End for a $20,000 live foal fee.

Stephen Hilbert is the former chairman and chief executive officer of the insurance and investment firm Conseco. The firm encountered difficulties in 1999 and 2000, and Hilbert later resigned after the company's stock collapsed.

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