In response to widespread media speculation Juddmonte Group chief executive Douglas Erskine-Crum issued a statement Dec. 4 saying Prince Khalid Abdullah's worldwide racing and breeding operation is not for sale.
According to the statement, the Juddmonte Group "has conducted a review of all its operations and His Highness Prince Khalid bin Abdullah has decided that his vision of racing and breeding at the highest international level remains unchanged. Like any other operation, the Juddmonte Group continually reviews its operations, but the media reports about an imminent sale of the group are unfounded."
Earlier this year, Erskine-Crum said Juddmonte would disperse part of its expansive bloodstock holdings in 2013, but did not elaborate on specifics. (Read story)
At the time, Juddmonte had more than 900 horses, including super horse Frankel, who is at stud at Abdullah's Banstead Manor Stud near Newmarket, England. In addition to Banstead, Juddmonte also operates a farm that includes two stallions in Central Kentucky and the operations is consistently among the leading breeders in North America and Europe.
"His Highness is looking forward to continuing to race his horses at the highest international level in Europe and the USA, particularly his homebreds," Erskine-Crum's statement said. "There will continue to be two operational centers—the farms near Lexington in the USA and Banstead Manor Stud, with its outstanding stallions, in Europe."
In reponse to a question aboug the statement, Erskine-Crum said "we are making more sales than we would normally do and Juddmonte Group is not for sale as has been rumored for many months."