Stonerside Stable has been sold to Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum’s Darley, according to a Stonerside release Sept. 1. Included in the transaction will be approximately 80 horses in training, plus another 170 or so broodmares, yearlings and weanlings, as well as the main 2,000-acre farm near Paris, Ky., and the training center in Aiken, S.C.
Bob McNair, who with his wife, Janice, founded Stonerside in 1994, explained that a commitment to his NFL football team, the Houston Texans, has meant that they have not had sufficient time to devote to Stonerside and this was behind their decision to sell to Darley.
“Janice and I have loved every minute of owning Stonerside,” McNair said, “but I have a duty to the Houston Texans now and it has become increasingly difficult to focus on both ventures. We decided to sell to Darley and an important aspect of the deal to us is that the Stonerside staff, who have worked so hard for the family and contributed so much to our success, have been assured that their futures are secure.”
Terms were not disclosed.
John Ferguson, representing Darley, said, “Stonerside and the McNair family have a record to be proud of. John Adger, Bobby Spalding, David Sorrell, and Tim Jones, along with the entire Stonerside team, have done a great job and Darley looks forward to working with them. We have no plans to change anything at the present time, and it will be business as usual at Stonerside. Sheikh Mohammed is delighted to have been given this opportunity. Stonerside has bred some great horses in the past, and we are confident it will continue to do so.”
The McNairs will keep one horse in training, 3-year-old graded stakes winner Cowboy Cal, and retain their homebred stallions Congaree , Bob and John, and Stonesider, as well as their other stallion interests.